Tauranga Moana stand on the brink of glory in the Lotto NRFL Women’s Championship.

Winning either of their two remaining games will secure them the Championship title and promotion into the Lotto NRFL Women’s Premiership, replacing Hamilton Wanderers who have been relegated.

This afternoon, Tauranga face relegation-bound Manukau United, who have conceded 100 goals this season.

Tauranga should win today and scoop the Championship title, says Friends of Football's Joan Grey.

"Tauranga’s road to victory has been impressive; just one loss, 72 goals scored and 23 conceded," says Joan.

"They’re on the brink of achieving their objective in their inaugural season “to have a senior team gain promotion into the NRFL Women’s Premiership."

Tauranga City, one of the three clubs that merged to form Tauranga Moana, competed in the Premiership in 2022 but faced relegation after a challenging season against Auckland’s top sides.

Now, the amalgamated Tauranga Moana has revitalised the Bay of Plenty’s women’s football outlook, with ambitions to elevate female football pathways in the region and offer local talent exposure to top-tier competitions.

As Tauranga close in on the title, other teams battle for finishing places.

Franklin United, after two strong victories over Birkenhead, have surged into second place on the ladder. The South Auckland side will take on Central United on Sunday.

Mid-table drama is expected to unfold at Shepherds Park, where fifth-placed Birkenhead United is pitted against sixth-placed Northern Rovers. With just a single point and identical goal difference separating the sides, spectators can expect a fiercely competitive encounter.

At Gower Park, Melville United host Onehunga Sports.

League standings might suggest an easy win for Onehunga but history paints a different picture.

Melville has been somewhat of a nemesis for Onehunga this season. Melville claimed a 2-1 victory in May and then forced a 2-2 share of the spoils in July.

Can Melville upset the odds for a third time on Sunday?

Golden Boot

25 — Britney Cunningham-Lee (Franklin United)
18 — Briana Osborne (Tauranga Moana), Sarah Carpenter (Franklin United)
17 — Grace Duncan (Tauranga Moana)
15 — Laura Bennett (Melville United)
12 — Annie Byrne (Onehunga Sports), Ivy Calonne (Northern Rovers)
10 — Chloe Marthe (Franklin United)
9 — Abi-Witney Collins (Tauranga Moana), Pip Meo (Onehunga Sports)
8 — Holly Patterson (Onehunga Sports), Sylvia McDougall (Central United)
7 — Kerri-Ann Jones (Tauranga Moana),
6 — Abby Chad (Birkenhead United), Jaime Govind (Birkenhead United), Robyn Fisher (Onehunga Sports)
5 — Kate Mori (Tauranga Moana), Mia Humphrey (Melville United), Anita Gross (Central United), Ella Golding (Tauranga Moana), Stevie-Lee Tiller (Melville United)

Fixtures

Games to be played on Sunday September 1, 2024

Tauranga Moana v Manukau United
Links Ave, Mt Maunganui, 1pm

Melville United v Onehunga Sports
Gower Park, Hamilton, 1pm

Franklin United v Central United
Drury Sports Complex, Drury, 1pm

Joan Grey/Friends of Football