SOCCER - Force hammer home their double potential

North Force Women's team kept their hopes of a league and cup double alive on Sunday by thrashing Birkenhead United 8-0 in the quarter-finals of the US1 women's knockout cup in Auckland.
The game at Shepherds Park was played on an pitch in surprisingly good condition but North Force, playing into a strong wind, took almost the first quarter to finally breach the division one side's defence and score their first goal.
Although they out-played Birkenhead, only a fine save by goalkeeper Rai Te Puni kept them from going behind in the early stages.
North Force's relentless pressure eventually resulted in striker Hannah Wilkinson creating opportunities for Estelle Harrison, and then Chelsea Webster, who both took their chances to make it 2-0.
After several missed opportunities, Wilkinson finally got on the scoresheet to see North Force take a 3-0 lead into the break.
In the second spell, with the wind behind them, North Force were soon camped in Birkenhead's half.
Coach Bruce Plunkett made some creative changes, with Georgina O'Neill, usually a right fullback, finding herself on a hat-trick after scoring twice playing as a striker.
Captain Sandy Burleigh, normally a centre back, also switched to striker. She capitalised on her rare opportunity up front to score a header off one of Kath Mortimer's corners.
Wellsford's Ruby Dodd also scored twice, the first from a shot the keeper deflected into the net, the second after a brilliant turn that gave her the space to drive the ball into the left-hand corner of the goal.
While the team was capable of playing better football, the result keeps them rolling towards winning the double for the season and allows them to build the platform they will need if they go ahead with plans for promotion to the Northern Federations Premier League in 2009.
They will play Hibiscus Coast on August 31 in the cup semifinal at Tikipunga.
Kamo women's team also progressed through to the semifinals of the US1 women's knockout plate competition with a 5-0 victory over Albany United at Rosedale Park.
Kamo coach Russell Baddeley was pleased with his team's performance against a tougher-than-expected Albany side.
"While 5-0 seems like a big score, they were actually quite a tough team to beat," he said.
The team played with a strong wind behind them in the first half and led 3-0 at the break and battled to maintain their lead in the second spell.
The visitor's defence was severely tested by Albany but held firm, with the side's final two goals scored towards the end of the game.
Kayleigh Knight scored two long-range goals from outside the penalty area, with Cassandra Wood also claiming a double, with the other goal scored by Georgia Green.