Result: Waikato Unicol Reserves 0–4 Thames Women FC

Report by JC

It was another comfortable day at the office for Thames Women FC, who returned from their away trip to Waikato Unicol with a convincing 4–0 victory.

The result maintains Thames’ 100 per cent league record this season, with the Division 1 title firmly in their sights.

Just as the game was beginning to settle into a rhythm, play was halted by a lengthy delay after a Unicol player was forced from the field with an ankle injury following an awkward movement.

The breakthrough came courtesy of a superb solo effort from top scorer Keltie McManus. She pounced on a loose ball before using quick feet to weave through the Unicol defence and fire a low finish into the near post.

McManus soon doubled the advantage — and her personal tally — for the afternoon.

The ball broke to Megan Jamieson, who lifted a clever pass over the defence and into McManus’ path. The striker made no mistake, applying a first-time finish across the goalkeeper.

Thames continued to apply pressure after the break and soon added a third.

Captain Emma Hinds-Senior sent a long ball forward that caught the Unicol defence napping. Ariel McNab reacted quickest, calmly slotting the ball home to make it 3–0.

The fourth and final goal arrived late in the match.

Jessica Rendall drove forward from midfield before exchanging passes with McManus and firing a composed finish into the bottom corner from the edge of the box to cap another complete Thames performance.

Coach Ergin Nembrt was delighted with the result.

“We dominated the game from the first minute to the last. Our passing, movement and positioning were excellent, and another clean sheet made it a fantastic performance.

“The defence was outstanding and didn’t allow the opposition a single shot on target. We controlled around 70 per cent of possession and kept them in their own half for most of the game.”

Six games into the season, Thames Women are already seven points clear at the top of the Division 1 table.

With 28 goals scored and just two conceded, the unbeaten side is well on course for the league title — an impressive turnaround for a team promoted from Division 2 only last season.

Next Sunday, Thames Women host Te Awamutu AFC at Rhodes Park, with kick-off at 11am.