A 24th-minute penalty by Rachel Major secured a hard-fought draw for Cambridge women against Birkenhead in their Northern League championship clash at John Kerkhof Park on Sunday.
Goalmouth melee with Birkenhead goalie Hannah Alpine clearing the ball from Cambridge players Bella Start and Lisa Busch. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Birkenhead’s Nina O’Leary equalised in the 37th minute, setting the stage for a tense, goalless second half. Tempers flared both on and off the pitch.
Cambridge’s Bella Stark was booked in the 66th minute, while Birkenhead substitute Nicola O’Leary was shown yellow at 83 minutes – prompting calls from the crowd for a red.
Goalie Hannah Alpine challenged by Cambridge’s Bella Stark late in the second half with from left Birkenhead captain Shayden Cathro and The Reds’ Lisa Busch. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Hamilton’s Melville United lead the table with 40 points, followed by Onehunga on 32. Birkenhead remain third, now three points behind Onehunga instead of one. Cambridge sit fifth with five wins, nine losses, and one gritty draw.
Meanwhile, Cambridge’s men’s Northern League championship side played out a dramatic 3–3 draw against second-placed Manukau United on Saturday. Two goals from Joshua Clarkin and one from Jack Portegys overturned a two-goal deficit, putting a home win within reach.
But right on full time Dylan Morris beat Cambridge keeper Stefan Heuberger to disappoint the faithful.
Cambridge remain in equal fifth, seven points behind leaders Melville United, who beat Wanderers 3–0 in the Hamilton derby.
This weekend, Cambridge’s men travel to Auckland to face Mt Albert Ponsonby at Anderson Park, while the women also head north to Waikaraka Park to take on Onehunga Sports.
The Reds’ Rachel Major scored from the spot in the first half, but Birkenhead goalie Hannah Alpine saved this second half header. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
