Men’s Lotto Federation League | Round 6

In the early game at a sundrenched Memorial Park Bayley’s Palmerston North United were hosting top-of-the-table Thirstly Whale Napier City Rovers Reserves.  The game was full of tempo and desire with both sides carving out early opportunities. A pivotal moment in the match was just before half-time when United’s goalkeeper was shown a straight red for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity. The hosts would be on the back foot for sure in the second half. With Napier now dominating possession United was resolute in their defending until Cam Houston pounced on a spilt ball in the six-yard box to open the scoring. United undeterred were still battling away and when young Matt Draper set off on a box-to-box run showing determination and desire he was rewarded with a well-taken solo effort to get United back into the game, 1-1. With a quarter of the game to play United looked to be back in the game. Que James Mack III  with an 80th and 89th-minute brace to wrestle all three points back to the Bay. Credit to both teams for some fine football on the day.

Over in the Bay at Taradale Park third placed Shani’s Taradale hosted second placed Watson Integrity Palmerston North Marist. This was always going to be a tight affair. Back from a recent overseas trip, Jonathan “Jono” Steele opened the scoring in the 17th minute and by accounts Marist was good for the lead. But on their home patch, Taradale will always give you a 110% and Liam Percy-Fysh restored parity in the 29th minute and it remained 1-1 at the break. The Jamie Dunning-coached Taradale side created enough further opportunities to have got more than a draw but neither side could add to their goal-scoring endeavors of the first half. Full-time and a point a piece. 

Gisborne Thistle hasn’t played in nearly a month so their trip to Taradale Park will certainly test the lungs. League leaders Thirsty Whale Napier City Rovers shoot down the motorway to CET Arena Palmerston North to battle it out with Watson Integrity Palmerston North Marist.

Women’s Lotto Federation League | Round 5

In the early match over in New Plymouth, both teams were treated to a carpet-like surface as the game was played at Yarrow Stadium. Atlas New Plymouth Rangers played host to Havelock North Wanderers.  Former Central Football National Women’s Leagueplayers Maddison Hughes (18”) and Ashley Arquette (40”) got the visitors off to a flying start and a 2-0 scoreline. Closing in on half-time Zara “Z” Erol-Watt got one back for the hosts and gave a much-needed confidence boost going into the sheds. A high-quality game played on a great surface allowed Kennedy Heikell to shine and her 58th and 64th minute double took the game away from Wanderers., and when Lizzie Ingham netted just minutes later the result was sealed.  

The late game in Palmerston North started with a venue change due to rainfall overnight and the teams headed for the luxury of the artificial surface at CET Arena. We all love a local derby and OneStaff Palmerston Marist Reserves would be determined to hold off the newly formed local club Kitchens By Healey Palmerston North United. You’ve heard the term a game of two halves I’m sure and this game would epitomize that saying. United started well and were able to string many passes together with the wind at their back. A hit crossbar and post all that stopped them from taking the lead. United’s goalkeeper was lucky not to see red when she handled the ball outside the area and only a quick free kick that unfortunately was capitalized on saw her she yellow instead. United’s pressure and perseverance paid off when Lily Galloway tucked home from a corner in the 36th minute. A deserved lead going into the break. Whatever coach Richard Neilsen said in the break was taken onboard and Marist looked up for the fight from the off. From almost a similar set piece situation former Central Football employee Jessica “Jess” Robinson equalized for Marist, possibly a 50th career goal?? Marist was on the ascendancy and just five minutes later Jaimee Leader put them ahead after a deflected shot fell her way and was tucked in. United still had a massive amount of possession and just minutes after going behind spurned a 1v1 opportunity at the near post. With time all but up Erin Carpenter sealed the deal when she waltzed through some tired legs to strike the ball to the roof of the net.

Federation Cup action next week, but when we return to league action all eyes will be on rapidly improving Havelock North vs runaway league leaders Excel Refrigeration Moturoa.

Taranaki Duchess Cup – Round 1

There was one catch up game needed in the Taranaki Duchess Cup over the weekend and it was taken out by Withers Coachlines Moturoa AFC Women who defeated Kaitake FC Women 5-1 with Kate Phipps netting a hat trick.

Taranaki Women’s Premiership – Round 7

Withers Coachlines Moturoa AFC Women also played their Round 7 Premiership match on Thursday away to Gravity Sign & Design Studio Inglewood AFC with Moturoa winning 3-1 to move to the top of the table and Kate Phipps also getting a hat trick in this match. NPGHS are back up into third after winning 21-0 away to Worley Woodleigh FC with a triple to Riley Packman plus doubles to Ella Staples, Aria Pack, Talia Hinz, Catherine Frew and Cara Lisa Hollard. In a 10 goal battle between Hipp Accounting Services Ltd Hawera FC and Offshore Plumping Services Waitara SC, it was Hawera that took the win 6-4 thanks to braces from Paula Dimock, Franziska Crowley and Aliza Snow. In the final match played Tungsten Legal Stratford AFC won 4-0 away at Eltham AFC Ladies Premiership with the goals being shared around. The match between Kaitake FC and Equipfix Peringa United Ladies was postponed due to the Duchess Cup match and HEL Rimu NP Rangers Development had the Bye so dropped down to second place on the table on goal difference. 

Yorb Taranaki Men’s Premiership – Round 6

The Yorb Taranaki Men’s Premiership is heating up with three points still separating the top four. NZ Forestry Peringa united Premiers had a big 7-0 home win over Hawera Kitchens Hawera FC to move to the summit, Domenico Squatriti bagging a hat trick for Peringa. Peggy Gordon’s NP Rangers AFC have dropped to second after losing 3-1 to Rampage Fitness FC Western in the Challenge Trophy game at Lynmouth Park with the win moving FC Western up into third. Premier Heating NPBHS 1^st XI secured back to back wins in the league after defeating TMT Building Ltd Moturoa AFC 5-1 with Qingcheng Du scoring twice. The loss drops Moturoa down to fourth but more importantly the win for NPBHS has kicked started their season and they’re still in with a chance for the title in 2023 as they sit back in fifth, seven points away from the top but with 9 rounds to go anything can happen. 

Taranaki Men’s Championship – Round 7

Only two matches were played in the Taranaki Men’s Championship over the weekend as the game between Inglewood AFC Championship and Western Autos Moturoa AFC was postponed due to pitch conditions and Mark Frost Electrical Hawera FC defaulted to Trafficr NP Rangers AFC. Millwards Roofing FC Western defended the Challenge Trophy by winning 3-2 at home against Cunningham Construction Kaitake FC with the win keeping them of top of the ladder. In the other game Peringa United Championship defeated Cross Country Rentals NPBHS 2^nd XI 2-0 at Peringa Park to see them pick up their first points of the season. Novotel Woodleigh FC had the Bye in Round 7. 

Taranaki Men’s Division 1 – Round 7

CG Office Furniture FC Western Flaming Wolverines remain on top of the pack after winning 8-0 at home over KP Joinery Waitara SC thanks to a triple from Tallen Cottam and doubles for Bevan Mayo and Adam Groen with Adam continuing to lead the Golden Boot race on 8 strikes so far in 2023. Smart Rehab & Physio Peringa United Ballers moved up to second as they won 3-2 when hosting Smith & Sons Eltham AFC with Ezekiel Oliver getting a consolation brace for Eltham. Wonder Minerals Kaponga SC could only manage a 1-1 draw with Taranaki Thru Tubing NP Rangers so that sees Kaponga drop back to third. Elca Stainless Inglewood AFC and Moturoa AFC Div1 played out a 0-0 draw with Shining Peak NP Rangers AFC Oddbodz having the Bye. 

Taranaki Men’s Division 2 – Round 7

Pipeline Peringa United are leading the way in Division 2 on goal difference after picking up a 6-2 away win against Withers Coachlines FDMC Senior Team, Nitin Khare netted twice for Peringa and Asher Ryan did the same for FDMC. McDonald Real Estate Stratford AFC are in second as they won 3-0 when hosting Egmont Texturers NP Rangers AFC and in the final match Marty Suchy Harcourts FC Western stay in third after they also got a 3-0 home win over Webber Building Kaitake FC HB’s thanks to a brace from Kyah Rowe.   

Taranaki Men’s Division 3 – Round 7

Rob Mason Electrical Group Woodleigh FC remain at the summit as they won 2-1 away to Peringa United Socials. A Cody Huta double has helped Inglewood AFC Div3 to a 2-1 win over Orchard Contracting Ltd Hawera FC which sees Inglewood hang onto the Challenge Trophy and second place on the table. In the only other game played Moturoa AFC Div3 won 5-2 at home against Waitara SC Div3 with all the goals being shared around. The match between Stratford AFC Reserves and Paul Hamlin Builders Eltham AFC was postponed due to pitch conditions. 

Article added: Tuesday 23 May 2023