Here's what you need to know from an action-packed weekend of football.

(DRAWS) LOTTO NRFL - Women's Conference - League One - Northern League 

The top three in the LOTTO NRFL Men's Championship all picked up maximum points this week as they head towards the finish line of the 22-game competition. 

Waiheke United showed great strength, holding a 2-2 draw with the league leaders East Coast Bays until their hero Moses Akimanan put away a goal in the 90th minute.

Franklin showed the league this week why they are still undefeated, putting four goals past fellow league challenges Beachlands Maraetai. Elsewhere in the race at the top, Waitemata and Bucklands Beach also picked up victories. 

Six goals from Cambridge and Five from Waikato Unicol saw them get past both of their opponents this weekend.  Amazingly Cambridge's Joshua Clarkin has been created with scoring five goals! (53', 61', 68', 72', 74')

South Auckland Rangers took advantage of their catch-up game this weekend, scoring four goals, gaining three points and going top of the NRF League One table. 

South Auckland Rangers 4

Papakura City 1

Uni-Mount Bohemian 3

Ranui Swanson 0

Tauranga City and Onehunga Sports both enjoyed wins scoring five goals this Sunday. Tauranga City's goal count was helped by Abi Witney-Collins who scored four! (2', 28', 33', 72'). 

Franklin United and Tauranga City will be looking to climb the table as they head towards the end of the season, most likely they will need the help of each other, hoping both teams can gain wins against the league leaders. They don't have to wait long to have that chance, next week they both face Fencibles United.

7:30pm | 26/7/2023

Franklin United vs Fencibles United (Bledisloe Park)

1:00pm | 30/7/2023

Tauranga City vs Fencibles United (Links Ave)

The NRF Women's Conference saw the expected results if you were to go off the table this weekend. Both Metro and Birkenhead picked up 2-1 victories in their race towards the title. Next week will see both of these league-leading teams go head to head in a season-defining match. 

1:00pm | 30/7/2023

Metro vs Birkenhead United (Phyllis Street Reserve)

Onehunga Mangere United 1

Greenhithe 1

Birkenhead United 2

Beachlands Maraetai 1

Bay Olympic 1

Metro 2

With five games left for most teams (a total of 22), Manurewa jumped back into fourth spot as they were victorious against Takapuna. Helped by Hamilton Wanderers overcoming Western Springs thanks to three early goals from Tesco Grunwald (10'), Alexander Rose (13'), and Aston Hurd (23').

In the title race between Auckland City and Eastern Suburbs, both teams came away with narrow 1-0 victories this weekend. The Northern League takes a break for the Chatham Cup Quarter Finals next weekend, but when it comes back, it comes back with a bang. As Auckland City welcomes Eastern Suburbs to Kiwitea Street in what may just be a title-defining game. 

3:00pm | 5/8/2023

Auckland City vs Eastern Suburbs (Kiwitea Street)

Takapuna 0

Manurewa 4

Eastern Suburbs 1

Manukau United 0

Hamilton Wanderers 3

Western Springs 2

Melville United 0

Auckland City 1

West Coast Rangers 2

Birkenhead United 1

Auckland United 4

Bay Olympic 1

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Image: phototek.co.nz

Article added: Sunday 23 July 2023