Melville premier women again showed their fighting qualities when they bounced back from an early 0-2 deficit to beat Northern Rovers 5-3 and stay top of the northern league women's championship.

The outlook appeared bleak for Melville when they conceded an 18th minute goal - slightly against the run of play - and then had keeper Emma Meadows affected by sun-strike as a long-range Northern shot looped over her head for a second in the 32nd minute.

But from the kick-off the Melville recovery began, as Stevie-Lee Tiller advanced and angled home a fine shot from the edge of the area, to the right of goal, for her fourth of the season.

Stevie-Lee Tiller about to shoot and score against Northern Rovers

And in the second half Melville hit a real purple patch, with four goals in a 13-minute period from the 65th minute.

Bennett, who had been tightly marked in the first spell, started finding space and the 16-year-old goalscoring maestro showed her class with a hat trick, taking her season tally to 13 in nine matches.

It was Bennett's second hat trick of the season to go with her three last season. 

 

Supersub Mia Humphrey, 15, also came off the bench to score her second goal of the season. It was the seventh time this season Melville have had one of their subs score.

Northern collected a further consolation goal in the 89th minute.

Melville remain unbeaten and three points clear at the top of the table ahead of an away match against bottom-placed Onehunga Mangere on Sunday (Mangere Domain, 1pm).

Article added: Wednesday 11 June 2025