Momona confirmed its place as top qualifier for the finals, as well as its hold on the challenge shield for the summer, thanks to its 3-0 win over Taieri on Saturday.
It took until midway through the second half for any goal to be scored as both sides' defences held strong.
Taieri went into the match with a clear game plan: sit tight in defence and mark the strong Momona midfield tightly, then pounce on the counterattack with its extra speed in the strikers.
Momona enjoyed a glut of possession but struggled to move the ball into the danger zone in the first half.
When it did, young Taieri keeper Hannah George was up to the task.
Likewise at the other end, when Taieri did manage to break away, Millie Cowan and Lydia Shirley cleaned up.
It was clear at the break that Momona was getting frustrated with its lack of penetration, and Taieri could sniff an upset.
But when the chances came for the girls in yellow they were unable to strike, whereas in the second half, as tiredness took hold, Momona was able to stay on focus and, in a quick burst, scored two goals close together.
Taieri continued to fight but the Momona skill and composure kept it out and Claudia Peyroux scored again late in the match to complete her brace. Shirley was the other scorer.
In the other matches this weekend, City Highlanders beat Southland 4-0, University Black got over the top of Kings United 3-1 and Southern U18s beat Uni White 4-0.
Momona also went to Gore last Sunday and took away a 3-0 win over Southland in this match.
-By Matthew West
