Melville United have qualified for the girls national youth league following a hard-fought 1-0 playoff win over Northern Rovers at Gower Park.

Melville were without Laura Bennett, who had scored five goals for New Zealand in their 12-0 win over Cook Islands in Tahiti on Thursday and star striker Shion Hwang, who is in Japan, so it was up to even-younger Unicorn stars to fill the breach.

Bella Cochrane, 14, scored the decisive goal in the 72nd minute with an acutely angled aerial shot from the right flank after a slick interchange with 13-year-old Mia Humphrey.

Earlier Humphrey had carved out Melville's best chances as her team enjoyed a slight edge in possession and territory.

The match was delayed a week because of appeal and counter appeal following Melville's group win over Ellerslie, with Melville's position ultimately upheld.

Article added: Saturday 16 September 2023