Youthful Brilliance Lifts Melville United to Summit of NRFL Women’s Championship

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (April 16, 2025) —
A fearless group of 15-year-olds propelled Melville United to a commanding 7–0 victory over Onehunga Mangere United in the Lotto NRFL Women’s Championship, catapulting the Hamilton-based side to the top of the table on goal difference after three rounds.

Tyla Webster and Lola Williams each netted twice, while Freya Douglas and Mia Humphrey added one apiece in a dazzling display of youth talent. The seventh goal came from 18-year-old Stevie-Lee Tiller, while 15-year-old goalkeeper Emma Meadows secured her first clean sheet of the season.

The result places Melville United level on points with Onehunga Sports, with a superior goal difference putting them narrowly ahead in the eight-team competition.

Webster opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a composed first-time finish curled into the far corner. Six minutes later, Douglas—daughter of former Melville men’s captain Gavin Douglas—doubled the lead with a clinical strike from the opposite flank, sending Melville into halftime with a 2–0 advantage.

The second half showcased the squad’s bench strength. Lola Williams, whose father Matt Williams was a standout for Melville in the early 2000s, made an instant impact with goals in the 58th and 61st minutes. The first saw her slice through the defense before rounding the goalkeeper; the second capped a swift counterattack initiated by Laura Bennett down the right.

Humphrey made it 6–0 with a well-timed effort in the 67th minute, before Tiller unleashed a thunderous long-range strike ten minutes later. Webster rounded off the scoring with her second of the day in the 89th minute.

Though the final scoreline was lopsided, Onehunga Mangere United showed resilience despite a bizarre ending. The visitors finished with just eight players on the pitch, having used all their substitutions and losing additional players to injuries—one of whom was denied re-entry due to an earring violation.

Melville United will look to extend their lead when they host Central United on Good Friday, while Onehunga Mangere will regroup for an Easter weekend derby against Onehunga Sports.

Golden Boot Standings (After Round 3):

• 5 goals: Britney Cunningham-Lee (Franklin United)

• 4 goals: Laura Bennett (Melville United), Grace Chitty (Birkenhead United)

• 3 goals: Amy Wells (Onehunga Sports)

• 2 goals: Rebecca Brown, Tyla Webster, Lola Williams (Melville United), Annie Byrne, Sophie Stevenson (Onehunga Sports), Izzy Lomax (Northern Rovers), Bella Stark, Caitlyn Varcoe (Cambridge)

Round 3 Results:

• Melville United 7 – Onehunga Mangere United 0
  (Webster 10’, 89’, Douglas 16’, Williams 58’, 61’, Humphrey 67’, Tiller 77’)

• Central United 1 – Northern Rovers 2
  (McDougall 66’; Lomax 43’, 51’)

• Cambridge 3 – Franklin United 2
  (Stark 45’, Varcoe 82’, 88’; Cunningham-Lee 56’, 63’)

• Birkenhead United 0 – Onehunga Sports 2
  (Byrne 58’, Wells 70’)

Upcoming Fixtures:

• Melville United vs. Central United

• Onehunga Mangere United vs. Onehunga Sports

• Birkenhead United vs. Franklin United

• Northern Rovers vs. Cambridge