Melville have still not won a home match at northern league level this season, after further defeats to men's and women's teams at Gower Park.

The men lost 2-0 to league leaders Birkenhead United, while the women lost 10-4 to West Coast Rangers.

It was the first time this season Melville men have failed to score in a match.

Melville conceded a near post header from a corner in the 14th minute to Birkenhead skipper Dino Botica, but remained in contention until an 87th-minute header from sub Sam Philip, also within the 6-yard box.

Melville managed few shots on goal, with their best chances coming from set-play headers from Robbie McNicholas.

Birkenhead are unbeaten this season while Melville have now dropped to eighth ahead of a further home game against second-placed East Coast Bays, who are also unbeaten.

Melville Reserves claimed a 2-2 draw against Birkenhead thanks to an own goal and a 57th minute equalising penalty from Jackson Porter.

Melville women conceded 10 goals at home for the second successive week, but their efforts in scoring four made it their best northern premier women's goal-return at Gower since beating Bay Olympic 5-0 in 2003.

For Melville, Lola Williams scored her second goal in three matches in the 33rd minute, while sub Tyla Webster notched her first goal of the season in the 57th minute. It was Webster's first northern league goal since grabbing two against Onehunga Mangere in April last year.

Laura Bennett scored a 92nd minute penalty to take her season tally to four while 15-year-old sub, Sienna Casson, making her northern league debut, scored in the 87th minute. A week earlier Casson had also scored for Melville Reserves against Auckland United.

Meanwhile Melville women's reserves lost 3-1 to West Coast, with Hayley Bennett scoring a 67th minute goal to make it 2-1.

Melville are away to Tauranga Moana at 2pm on Sunday April 26.

Article added: Wednesday 22 April 2026