Eastern Suburbs have dominated the women's National League Championship grand final, defeating Western Springs 4-0 in a dominant performance at Auckland's Mt Smart Stadium.
Eastern Suburbs celebrate winning the final of the Women's National League Championship against Western Springs Photo: Photosport
The victory sees Eastern Suburbs become the first club side to hoist the silverware after the competition was restructured in 2021 to include teams qualifying from the Northern Region Football League as well as federation sides.
Suburbs took the lead in the ninth minute when good work from Tayla O'Brien led to a dangerous cross into the Western Springs box that rebounded to Deven Jackson. Jackson's shot deflected off Western Springs goalkeeper Angelique Tuisamoa into the net for an own goal.
Western Springs looked to fight back with good chances for attackers Sofia Garcia and Rina Hirano but with halftime looming it was Eastern Suburbs who doubled their advantage.
A shot from Deven Jackson was blocked by the Springs defence but fell kindly to Saki Yoshida who coolly slotted past the goalkeeper in the 42nd minute to make it 2-0 at the interval.
The second half opened with good chances for both sides, with Western Springs forward Sam Tawharu hitting the woodwork in the 52nd minute.
But one minute later it was three for Eastern Suburbs. Another good run and cross by Tayla O'Brien saw the ball fall to Jackson who virtually passed it into the back of the net.
Seven minutes from time, Jackson made the win a certainty for Eastern Suburbs. Her first two attempts were blocked but she fired home the third from close range.
- RNZ