After a lean trot over the past four seasons when the side did not win a game, the team now sits top of the national league, following a 2-1 victory over previously unbeaten Northern at Tahuna Park yesterday.
The home team was ahead 2-1 at the break and showed plenty of fight and composure in the second half as Northern attempted to find the equaliser.
Goalkeeper Tessa Nicol made two quality saves, none more important than when she pushed the ball on to the crossbar with just minutes left.
It was an excited United team at the end of the game and there were plenty of hugs going around with coach Terry Parle paying tribute to the total team effort displayed.
"We’re happy, absolutely happy with the way we played the game. You could use every cliche you want to but we are just over the moon, really," he said.
"The team spirit has really helped us this year. We have got a very cohesive squad where everyone works really hard and shows that southern spirit and a real determination to do well.
"We have had to raise the intensity this year and the girls have been great. Just to have higher intensity at training, everything we do. To raise the standards from where they were at in the local league."
Parle was not getting too carried away with having managed to climb to the top of the ladder but it was something to be proud of.
"We are top of the league but we have to wait until the results of next week and we have played a game more. So we need to wait until after next week to find out where we are."
Parle said it was important to win as he wanted the side to string together two victories in a row for the first time this season.
It has knocked off Canterbury and Northern — two powerhouses of women’s football in New Zealand — over the past two weeks.
The home team started well yesterday with the wind behind it at Tahuna Park where conditions were dismal at best.
Striker Renee Bacon shot wide in the opening minutes but just before the quarter-hour mark claimed the first goal. She nabbed a ball at the edge of the box and struck a sweet shot into the right-hand corner.
Northern, which is coached by former Southern women’s boss, Hayley Stirling, came sweeping back into the game and eventually the pressure told on the half-hour mark when striker Dayna Stevens squeezed the ball past Nicol.
But Southern came back well and a great run down the left by Ellie Issac was expertly finished by
Bacon who slammed the cross into the roof of the net.
Turning into the wind in the second half, Southern stood strong and defenders Mikaela Hunt, Coral Seath and Kelsey Kennard all worked hard.
In midfield, captain Elise Mamanu-Gray showed why she has been called up to the national squad while Bacon and Issac were a handful up front.
Southern has a bye next weekend.
• The Southern United youth team lost 1-0 to Waitakere United in Auckland on Saturday.
Southern v Northern
The scores
Southern United 2
Renee Bacon 14, 42
Northern 1
Dayna Stevens 32
Halftime: 2-1
