Chatham Cup - Preliminary Round

Five Central Football teams went into battle for Preliminary Round matches in the Chatham Cup. On Saturday we had two seven goal thrillers in local Taranaki derbies while on ANZAC Day Gisborne Thistle entered the Northern/WaiBOP pool due to the continued roading situation after Cyclone Gabrielle. New Plymouth Boys’ High School came out on top 4-3 away to Peringa United AFC with Fergus Young scoring a 89^th minute winner after both sides netted a goal each in the previous two minutes. A Connor Oliver-Rose brace including a 77^th minute winner got FC Western over the line 4-3 away to New Plymouth Rangers AFC after Rangers had tied it up 3-3 in the 75^th minute. Gisborne Thistle had the tough away trip to Papakura City FC and unluckily went down 3-2 after a 90^th minute penalty was scored against them. 

Lotto Central Federation League – Round 3

An amazing 13 goals were scored in ALH Limited Gisborne Thistle’s 7-6 away win at Bluewater Stadium against Thirsty Whale Napier City Rovers. Jimmy Somerton netted a hat trick for Thistle to move him up to second on the Golden Boot table with 4 strikes so far this season and David Ure bagged a brace including the 95^th minute winner. Harry Mason scored a consolation brace for Rovers to extend his lead in the Golden Boot, he now sits on 6 goals for the season. In the other match Watson Integrity PN Marist FC picked up their first win and points of the season when they defeated Bayleys Palmerston North United 2-1 in the local derby at Arena Manawatu with all the goals coming in the first half. Taradale AFC had the Bye and sat Round 3 out. 

Women’s Federation League – Round 1 Catch Up Game

Havelock North Wanderers Women’s Feds have picked up their first win in the competition after knocking over Kitchens By Healey Palmerston North United 4-1 at home thanks to all four goals being scored by Olivia Wallis. This was a catch up game as the league paused for the Kate Sheppard Cup so no other teams played over the weekend as all Central Football teams had a Bye in the National Cup. 

YORB HORIZONS PREMIERSHIP 

PNBHS 1st XI welcomed GJ Gardner Homes Whanganui Athletic Reserves to the Arena Manawatu for Friday Night Football. In what was a very hard-fought battle it was an 18th minute Xavier Coleman goal that ended up proving the difference here as Boys High held on to claim a 1-0 Victory.  

At Donnelly Park Levin AFC Hosted Advance Electrical Palmerston North United. An Early first half brace from Quinn Grainger giving United a 2-0 lead at half time.  Jacob Riley made it 3 in the 53rd minute. Levin kept on fighting though and Oliver James pulled on back in the 84th minute however it would only be a consolation as Palmerston North United held on for a well-deserved 3-1 win.  

At Wembley Park Wanganui City took on Longchill Takaro Jokers. City took an early lead when Mason Mcgahey netted in just the 3rd minute of the game. The score stayed that way until the 68th minute when Dylan Welch equalised for Takaro, and it was game on. The match seemed to be heading for a draw, but Welch had other ideas and he grabbed a late winner in the 90th Minute to snatch victory for the visitors as they held on for a thrilling 2-1 away win.  

At Timona Park in Feilding Teamlewis Innovation Feilding 1sts welcomed Youm Marist Reserves for what turned out to be an exciting match. The Visitors got off to a great start as they jumped to a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Dylan Barry and Lachlan Robinson. The hosts then responded through Drew Gaskin and Michael Whitmore to make it 2-2 at the break. Youngjae Lee put the hosts in front in the 60th minute before an Own Goal in the 75th minute extended their lead which they were able to hold on to as they came away 4-2 winners against a determined Marist side.  

Game of the round (5): 

1v2 as Longchill Takaro Jokers take on the unbeaten Teamlewis Innovation Feilding. This is sure to be an exciting match and neither side will be wanting to give the other an inch.  

Whanganui Local League Round Up Week 2

It was another mammoth goal scoring weekend in both the Roly Taylor and Kelly Hiroa Leagues on the weekend, with a massive 97 goals notched up over all games played, 51 in the Roly Taylor Championship and 46 in the Kelly Hiroa Premiership. 

With the race for golden boot off to an early start in the Kelly Hiroa Premiership, Chardonnay Ross-Elvin (Durie Hill FC) is leading the way with 10 goals followed closely by Kaitlin Ahonen (Whanganui Athletic) on 9.

And in the Roly Taylor Championship Jordan McDonald (Wanganui Marist FC) and Jack Payne (Rivercity FC) have taken an early lead with 6 goals apiece, followed by Scott Burney (Whanganui Athletic) on 5.

In the women's league, after last weekend’s 19-0 defeat the Rivercity Scrappers came out on attack against Whanganui Athletic Women’s Reserves, which certainly paid off with a 3-1 win against the newly created Reserves side. In the later matches, Chef’s Choice Whanganui Athletic asserted their dominance once again with a 12-0 win over Wanganui Marist Women, while the two determined Wanganui City squads played undermanned with WCFC Women’s 1sts taking the lead over clubmates WCFC Thirsty Women’s in our highest scoring match for the weekend, finishing 18-2.

Meanwhile Durie Hill FC Angels made their way to Whanganui’s newest football pitch at Whanganui Girls College to claim 3 points in a 9-1 win over a depleted Whanganui Girls College side.

In the Roly Taylor league, Marist Celtic retain their top spot by virtue of goal difference, with a 3-0 win over Sportz Bar Whanganui Athletic Cosmos.  The Whanganui City FC Hammers recorded an 11-3 victory over clubmates Whanganui City Hammers Old Boys, while the DHFC 1^st XI picked up their second three points of the season against Rivercity Chiefs with the match finishing at 10-0. 

Wanganui Marist FC Casuals had a 6-1 win over Whanganui Athletic Weekenders, while MTF Finance Whanganui Athletic Lions scored 11 unanswered goals past DHFC Rovers to claim their first 3 points of the season.  Rivercity FC have maintained their winning streak by posting a 5-1 win over Whanganui Collegiate School 1^st XI Boys.

Great to see plenty of action over at Wembley and Girls College as the season starts to get into the swing of things, make sure you get over this coming Saturday and take on some class local football.

MANAWATU MASTERS DIVISION 

Marist Banshees welcomed Levin Vets to the Ashhurst Domain. Levin took the lead through Greg Mitchell-Kouttab. Before Rhys Mckinlay levelled for the Banshees in the 40th minute and the sides went into the sheds all level at 1 apiece. Steven Rowlett put the Banshees in front in the 70th minute before Mckinlay bagged his 2nd in the 80th minute to put the result beyond doubt. 3-1 the final score.   

At Hokowhitu Park in very wet conditions the Red Sox Old Boys and the Resonant Marist master’s went to battle. Marist started well and were looking most likely. However, it was Old Boys who managed to get the opening and what turned out to be match winning goal in the 21st minute when Cam Hadfield got on the end of a Stevie Lee through ball to slot home. Red Sox although down to 10 players by the end of the match managed to hold out a determined Marist side and take a very hard fought 1-0 Victory.   

At Wembley Park Wanganui Marist Wanderers hosted Jennian Homes Feilding Masters. Feilding jumped out to a 3-0 half time lead thanks to goals from Mike Lewis, Ross Thomson, and Kameron Greenlees. A second half brace from Corey Kotuhi capping off a great day for the Feilding side as they claimed a well deserved 5-0 win on the road.  

At the Ashhurst Domain MKM Marist Shamrock Rovers took on Red Sox Legends. Chris Osborne gave Red Sox the lead with a 17th minute goal. Gant Rudman equalised for Marist in the 70th minute. However, that was the wake-up call Red Sox needed and a flurry of late Goals from Jason Baylis, Sam Miratana, and Samuel Hill seen them take a 5-1 win in the end.  

Game of the round (5): 

1v2 Marist Banshees v Red Sox Legends both sides will be looking to get one over the other and give themselves a buffer at the top.  

Article added: Wednesday 26 April 2023