THE OIL
It was just one of those seasons for Southern United.
Southern wrapped their national league season at home on Sunday to finish eighth on 11 points with a record of three wins, two draws and four losses.
They fought hard but it was a frustrating season after their unexpected run to the final last year.
Southern started with a 0-0 draw against Eastern Suburbs — who finished third, three points ahead of Southern, an indication of the closeness of the league — then came to a stop.
Extreme weather postponed their game against wooden spooners Central in Dunedin, and who knows where their season could have gone if they gained some momentum from that game?
A physical 2-1 loss to Western Springs followed, and a 2-1 loss to Canterbury United Pride at home, before they were given a doubleheader in Wellington during Labour Weekend.
It was a tough task — Southern had to play two games in three days — but they were up for it and won both on the bounce, nabbing a gritty 2-1 win over Wellington United and thumping Central 8-1.
Returning home, Southern lost 3-1 to West Coast Rangers and battled out a 1-1 draw against Wellington Phoenix, before falling 2-1 to Auckland United, who remain unbeaten after 48 games, in a repeat of last year’s final.
Southern saved the best for last, handing Waterside Karori, who will play Auckland in the final on Sunday, their first loss and finishing the season with a 2-0 win.
Captain Rose Morton was at her usual best all season, as were tenacious defender Hannah Mackay-Wright and midfielder Abby Rankin, and Shontelle Smith was a welcome return to the team.
Australians Millie Scott and Georgia Keen added depth, and newcomer Alisa Tuatagaloa, who is heading back to Auckland, was brutally effective in the games she played.
Southern just struggled to make the ball stick, retain possession and find the back of the net in those tight games to pull more points their way.
BEST GAME
Cannot look past Sunday’s 2-0 win over Waterside Karori. Could have won by more but playing your best game of the season, sealing a clean sheet and snapping a finalist-bound team’s winning record is nothing to sneeze at. A brilliant reminder of what Southern can actually do when they play with freedom.
WORST GAME
Nothing really went right in the 3-1 loss to West Coast Rangers. More frustrating than anything, and Rangers pounced on any spilled ball.
TOP SCORER
One commentator this season said Shontelle Smith only deals in worldies.
Smith banked five goals from her seven games for Southern and showed her class with every touch.
From curling corners to wonder strikes from well outside the box, there is nothing Smith cannot bury.
MVP
Smith really was a cut above as she helped move the ball through the middle and scored regularly. Mackay-Wright and Morton also never play a bad game and continue to be the glue.
MOST IMPROVED
Abby Rankin was always busy through the middle and Raegan Potter showed great growth in her cameos.
