Gold Coast United NPL Women’s side learning how good they can be after Souths United upset

GOLD Coast United coach Michael Cook says his NPL Women’s rookies are only now beginning to understand how good they can be.

GOLD Coast United coach Michael Cook says his NPL Women’s rookies are only now beginning to understand how good they can be.

In a debut NPLW campaign plagued by inconsistency, United again showed they can match it with the league’s best with a 2-1 upset of third-placed Souths United at Wakerley Park on Sunday night.

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They led 2-0 deep into stoppage time courtesy of second-half goals from overseas stars Reiri Ono and Mackenzie Akins, before a late consolation from Souths’ Sofie Persson.

The result, their second-straight win, continued a run of strong showings against the competition’s top four this season, with Cook hopeful it can spark a strong run home over the last three rounds.

Mackenzie Akins continued her hot run of form for Gold Coast United in Sunday’s 2-1 win over Souths United. Picture: Craig Clifford/Sportspics

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“More than anything else they will have learned just how good they can be when they remain focused for a full 90 minutes. All squad members performed at their best and they completely deserved to win,” Cook said.

US import Akins remains sixth on the NPLW goalscorers list with 20, while former United star Meg McElligott, now with Moreton Bay, sits top with 44.

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The victory capped a successful day for United’s female NPL teams, who picked up two wins and two draws against Souths United.

Sitting seventh, the Surfsiders play three teams — Capalaba, Logan and Sunshine Coast — below them on the ladder over the final three rounds.

They host the Bulldogs at 2pm on Sunday at Runaway Bay.

United’s men, who are ninth after a 6-0 mauling from Western Pride at the weekend, host Moreton Bay at 7pm on Sunday.