Southern United defender Kelsey Kennard (right) tracks Canterbury United forward Frankie Morrow during the national league game at Logan Park yesterday. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSH Southern United leapt to fourth in the national league with a thoroughly impressive 2-1 win over Canterbury United at Logan Park yesterday. Just 48 hours after scrapping to a goal-less draw against the same opposition in Christchurch, Southern ignored tired legs to deliver a quality performance that highlighted how far this team has come in a short space of time. The home team played the most football in the first half without quite being able to find the final touch. Two goals in the space of 12 minutes in the second spell set up the result, though there was a nervous finish when Canterbury grabbed one back with 10 minutes to play. Coaches are often reluctant to single players out for individual praise, and in this case, that was understandable. Perhaps the key figures were Jasmine Prince and Toni Power, relentlessly energetic and creative down the right flank. Or perhaps the star women were talismanic captain Rose Morton, who covered every inch of the Dunedin turf and snuffed out numerous Canterbury forays, and workaholic forward Kennedy Bryant, and livewire winger Margi Dias, and astute defender Kelsey Kennard. But there would be few arguments if both goalkeeper Kate Hannay and centre back Hannah Mackay-Wright were highlighted for their efforts. Hannay was magnificent between the sticks, and her bravery and shot-stopping would have richly deserved a clean sheet. As for Mackay-Wright, well, what more can you ask of a defender who plays on a broken toe, shuts down attackers with timing and grace, and scores the opening goal? It was, overall, a day and a weekend to put a smile on the face of Southern coach Kris Ridley. "I think we definitely deserved that," he said. "The girls dug deep. When we have to, we play football and look really good, and the squad is learning about relaxing and just playing football. "Four points out of these two games was the target, so we’re happy with that." Ridley felt his squad — so underdone compared with some of the others in the league — would be the quickest to improve over the first stage of the season. "But we’re doing that a bit quicker than I thought. "There are some cooked bodies but the attitudes are next level." Southern created some handy opportunities in the first half, notably when Mackay-Wright had her shot blocked from a corner and Bryant hit the post in the final minute. Reward came 13 minutes into the second spell when a Dias shot was scuffed and Mackay-Wright was on hand to slot home her goal. Southern’s second was a deserved third goal of the season for Prince, who ran into space, got one-on-one with the keeper and rounded her to score. A poor clearance led to a cross that was converted by Canterbury’s Chloe Bellamy, but Southern held firm to the whistle. Southern is at home again this Sunday against third-placed Northern Rovers. Rovers held Western Springs to 1-1 yesterday, meaning Eastern Suburbs (3-2 over Auckland United) is two points clear at the top. Capital beat Central 1-0. National league The scores Southern United 2 Hannah Mackay-Wright 58’, Jasmine Prince 70’ Canterbury United 1 Chloe Bellamy 80’ Halftime: 0-0. hayden.meikle@odt.co.nz
