Women’s Federation Cup – Semi Finals

The first Semi Final in the Women’s Federation Cup was played over in Taranaki and the local side Withers Coachlines Moturoa AFC booked their spot in the Grand Final with a 2-1 victory over Federation League team PN Marist FC. Taranaki Women’s Premiership Golden Boot winner Fernanda Toscani got both goals for Moturoa with Bridie McFadzean scoring the Marist goal. The second Semi Final was hosted in Manawatu by Isles Construction Massey University FC against Federation League Champions Taradale AFC and again it was the home side that prevailed. Massey secured their spot in the Grand Final 5-1 thanks to Ruby-Aroha Gurnick netting a brace plus singles to Kate Mori, Lily Galloway and  Anneka Voss with Olivia Harding getting the consolation goal for Taradale. The Grand Final is locked in for this coming Sunday the 28^th of August at 12:30pm and will be hosted by Moturoa AFC over in Taranaki.

Versatile Wanganui City FC 1sts and Manawatu & TRC Toyota PNBHS 1st XI went to battle on Friday night at Arena Manawatu. It was another clinical display from the boy’s high side as 3 goals wither side of half time was enough to see them run out comfortable 6-0 winners on the night. Goal scorers for PNBHS Xavier Coleman (2), Matthew Rowe (2), Darren Juru, and Daniel McDougall.

At the Ashhurst Domain Linton FC 1sts took on Massey University FC Men's Reserves. A 44^th minute Charles Royle goal giving Linton a 1-0 lead at the break. A quickfire brace from Adarsh Dutt gave Massey the lead in the 70^th minute before an 85^th minute Gwylym Hamilton goal sealed a 3-1 win for the Massey side.

At Memorial Park Youm PN Marist Men's Reserves welcomed GJ Gardner Homes Whanganui Athletic Reserves. Marist took the lead in the 39^th minute thanks to Alex Harold as the went into the break with a 1-0 lead. Santino Canterna doubled the lead in the 61^st minute as the home side held on to claim a well-deserved 2-0 victory.

In the Match of the round LongChill Takaro Jokers and teamlewis innovation Feilding Utd AFC Men's 1sts played at the Ashhurst Domain. Aaron Richardson opened the scoring in the 42^nd minute to give Feilding a 1-0 lead as the teams headed to the half-time break. The sides came out exchanging blows in the second half, but it was Feilding who managed to double their lead thanks to a 63^rd minute goal from Tommi Hart. The 2-goal buffer was enough for the away side as they were able to hold out anything Takaro threw their way, and the match would end 2-0 to Feilding.  

Game of the round (15):

Massey University FC Men's Reserves take on teamlewis innovation Feilding Utd AFC Men's 1sts at the University. Last time the sides met it was a single goal the difference. This match promises to be another close one and both sides will be wanting all three points.

Massey University FC Development hosted Levin AFC Reserves for their round 10 catch up fixture. It was the away side who came out on top 4-2 thanks to an Oliver James Hattrick as well as a goal from Bailey Potter. Massey’s goals coming through Liam Wells and.

At Hokowhitu Park RSM As took on the Chillmax Takaro Rebels. The Takaro side finishing their season on a high note as they ran out 5-2 winners on the day thanks to goals from Jordyn Robinson-Human, Marko De Vries, and a Hattrick from Josh Draper. (Red Sox Scorers Unknown)

At Donnelly Park it was a 7-Goal thriller between Levin AFC Sports and Freedom Plus PN Marist Bulldogs. The Bulldogs managing to claim an entertaining 4-3 win on the day. Goal Scorers for the Bulldogs were Sammy Roebuck, Jimmy Porter, TJ Matenga, and Lachie Smith. (Levin Scorers unknown)

At the Ashhurst Domain PNBHS 3rd XI took on Alteration Specialists North End Veterans. Scott Gillespie opened the scoring in the 31^st minute for North End before Ethan Riley equalised for Boys High 5 minutes later and the sides went to half time all locked up. Second Half goals from Gillespie, and Craig Tichbon securing a 3-1 win for North End who will be looking to continue their winning ways next weekend in the cup semi-finals.

At Memorial Park it was the match of the round and ultimately the tittle decider between Smartphone Repairs PN Marist Inter and RSM Wrinklies. In a conservative opening to the match both sides defended well and were happy to sit back and see what the other would throw at them. The sides went into the half time break all square at 0-0. As the game went on the sides continued to have an answer for anything their opponent threw at them. However, in the 80^th minute an attacking corner for the Inter side led to a goal box scramble which Matthew Sells managed to jump on the end of and tuck the ball into the net. The Wrinklies were not willing to lay down and tried to respond with several promising attacking chances however as they tried to get the equalising goal the Marist side were able to produce a well-executed counterattack that was calmly finished of again by Sells as they secured a hard fought 2-0 Victory.

The Victory meant that Smartphone Repairs PN Marist Inter were crowned

2022 Manawatu Division 1 Champions.

Levin AFC Colts welcomed RSM Hustlers to Donnelly Park. The home side running out winners 3-0 in a game that was a lot closer than the score line would suggest. Scorers for Levin were Shane Moir, Richard Horn, and Lyrick Downes.

In the Marist Derby it was Smartphone Repairs PN Marist Celts up against CAC PN Marist Greenies. Rhys Galyer gave the Celts an early lead before Latham Lockwood responded soon after to level things up. An unfortunate own goal by the Greenies gave the Celts the lead as the sides went into the half time break. Both sides had second half chances however neither side was able to find the net and the Celts held on to claim a hard earned 2-1 win against a valiant Greenies side.

At Ashhurst Domain N&R Builders PN Marist Park Rangers took on Rosie O'Gradys Massey University FC Rigs. It was a tough day out for the Massey side as The Park Rangers brought their goal scoring boots with them as they ran out comfortable 13-0 winners. Goal Scorers Liam Outtrim (4), Yaakob Mohamed (3), Richard Penny (2), Taine George, Michael Cooper, and Kallum Brown.

Post Office Hotel Pahiatua FC welcomed Alteration Specialists North End Social to Bush Park. The home side were too strong on the day as they ran out 3-1 winners against the determined North End Side. Scorers for Pahiatua were Craig Batchelor, Anaaru Awhimate, and Titus Suksreephaisan. (North End Scorer unknown)

At the Arena Chillmax Takaro Glory and the McDonalds Feilding Utd C Team went to battle. In what was a close match it was Feilding who came away 2-1 winners on the day. Takaro’s goal coming through Blake Robinson. (Fielding’s scorers unknown)

In the League decider it was Freedom Plus PN Marist Royals up against Dannevirke Rangers. The sides were able to hold each other out as they went into the break all locked up at 0-0. It was in the 77^th minute when the deadlock was broken as Aaron Kirton netted for Dannevirke. 2 minutes later their lead was doubled thanks to Nicholas Sowerby and from there on in Dannevirke were able to hold out a quality Marist side to claim a well deserved 2-0 win.

The Victory meant that Dannevirke Rangers were crowned

2022 Manawatu Division 3 Champions.

In the Red Sox Derby, it was the Red Sox Legends against the Red Sox Old Boys. The Legends coming away with the bragging rights with an entertaining 3-2 win on the day. Scorers for the Legends Sam Hill (2), and Juan Buitrago. (Old Boys Scorers unknown)

In the Marist Derby between McDonalds PN Marist Banshees and Resonant PN Marist Masters it was a close match that could have gone either way. However, it was the masters who came away with the bragging rights with a 1-0 victory thanks to a 67^th minute Darryl Newsome strike.

At Timona Park it was the league decider between Jennian Homes Feilding United Masters and Levin AFC Vets. The two form sides met for what was a hard fought and well contested match. Both sides came out firing in the first half and created several chances however the deadlock could not be broken, and the sides went into the sheds with the score all locked up at 0-0. At the start of the second half Feilding walked the tightrope as they cleared a Levin attack off their goal line. However, with a large home crowed willing them home they managed to break the deadlock in the 67^th minute thanks to Blair Funnell. The game was put beyond any doubt in the 77^th minute when Grant Payton netted Feilding’s 2^nd as they closed out a hard fought 2-0 win. Levin proving, they will be a team to watch in 2023 if they can retain the core of their side.

The Victory meant that Jennian Homes Feilding United Masters were crowned

2022 Manawatu Masters Champions.

Chapple Architecture PN Marist Mayhem and Rosco's Bulk Yard Feilding Utd AFC Women's 1sts went to battle at Hokowhitu Park. In what was an epic battle it was goals either side of half time from Sara-Jane Cooper and Eden Surville that was enough to see Feilding come away with a well-deserved 2-0 victory.

Also, at Hokowhitu Park North End Baby Blues hosted Levin AFC Women's. It was the home side who were victorious in this one as they claimed a clinical 6-0 victory thanks to goals from Sarah Swinbanks (3), Axel Oswald (2), and Rebecca Cole.

In the match of the round on Thursday Night under the lights it was Chillmax Takaro AFC X-Force up against Massey University FC Women's Reserves. Georgia Fisher gave Takaro the lead with a 12^th minute strike. Massey drew level in the 40^th through an own goal from the Takaro side as the scores were all tied up at the half time break. Takaro came out of the blocks firing at the start of the second half and Tina Phillips gave them the lead with a 53^rd minute goal before Fisher picked up her second of the night in the 57^th minute to double the lead. A late goal from Amy Macaulay gave Massey hope however it would only be a consolation as Takaro held on for a well deserved 3-2 win.

LJ Contracting Takaro Avengers and Tranzit PN Marist Mysteries could not be split as they played out a 0-0 stalemate at Hokowhitu Park.

Also, at Hokowhitu Park the Takaro AFC Harlequins and Crew Cut Massey University FC Golden Girls played out an entertaining match. The Harlequins took an early lead thanks to Mereaira Savage-Helmbright. The Golden Girls were up for the battle and pulled a goal back in the 40^th minute through Sydnie Ngan Uridge as the sides headed into the break all tied up at one goal each. The second half was also a tough battle however the Massey side were able to convert their chances and scored 3 unanswered goals through Ngan Uridge (2), and Faith Hewitson on their way to a 4-1 victory.  

In the final match also at Hokowhitu Park it was the North End hawks up against the McDonalds PN Marist Evergreenz. The sides passed the ball round nicely during the first half however neither side was able to convert, and the sides went in the break all locked up at 0-0. Both sides continued to pass the ball around and move the opposition around and it wasn’t until the 72^nd Minute when the deadlock was broken thanks to Rebecca Cole as North End took the lead. The result was put beyond any doubt when Sarah Swinbanks was able to sneak the ball in at the near post to give North End a well deserved 2-0 win on the day.

Although the result did not go their way on the day the McDonalds PN Marist Evergreenz were uncatchable at the top of the table and were crowned Manawatu Women’s Championship Winners for 2022.

Article added: Tuesday 23 August 2022