MEN’S FEDERATION LEAGUE – ROUND 18 & 20 

On Wednesday night under the Lights Bayleys Palmerston North United hosted Watson Integrity PN Marist. Both sides were able to hold the other out in the first half and the sides went to the half time break all locked up at 0-0. Marist took the lead in the 64th minute thanks to a well taken goal by Troye Aitken. Marist looked to be heading towards an all important three points however PNU had other ideas and with late interventions from Bayshi Oo and Olly Ceci the were able to clinch a thrilling 2-1 victory to keep the title race alive.  

At Bluewater it was the final local derby of the Fed league season between Thirsty Whale Napier City Rovers and Shani’s Taradale AFC. It was the visiting Taradale side who were to have the final bragging rights of the year as they claimed a hard fought 3-2 win. A Liam Percy-Fysh Hattrick the telling contribution as his goals cancelled out first half strikes from Harry Huxford and Shae Bauerfeind.  

ALH Limited Gisborne Thistle welcomed Bayleys Palmerston North United. In what turned out to be a good old fashion Tug of War it was the visiting PNU side who came out on top with a 5-3 victory on the road as they kept their title hopes alive. Goal Scorers for United were Thomas Bell (3), Nathan Cooksley and Michael Sheridan. Jimmy Somerton collecting a Hattrick for the home side. 

WOMEN’S FEDERATION CUP – SEMI FINALS 

Westshore Beach Inn Eskview Blues hosted Chef’s Choice Whanganui Athletic Women at the Terry O’Neill Field. Eskview raced out to an early lead thanks to a Nancy Reed double followed by a goal from Sam Wheatley.  Athletic bounced back and reduced the deficit thanks to goals from Kaitlin Ahonen and Karly Judy. The second half seen Eskview extend their lead thanks to a brace from Jane Barnett and a late strike from Nina O’Connor as they secured a 6-2 victory and booked their spot in the Cup Final.  

At Onuku Taipari Domain Excel Refrigeration Moturoa were up against cross town rivals Atlas NP Rangers. Moturoa took the lead in the 40th minute when Jenna Barry found the back of the net.  A minute later Rangers equalised thanks to Lizzie Ingham.  Neither side were able to find an all-important winning goal in the 90 minutes and the match headed to Extra Time. It was eventually Moturoa who came out on top with goals from Kathryn Greaney and Madeleine Hill as they secured their place in the final with a 3-1 victory in extra time.  

YORB HORIZONS PREMIERSHIP: 

GJ Gardner Homes Whanganui Athletic Reserves hosted LongChill Takaro Jokers in the last match of the 2023 Premiership season. It was the home side who managed to claim the points as they secured a comfortable 5-1 victory to round off a strong season finishing in 2nd position on the table. Scorers for Athletic were Perry Stewart (3), and Scott Burney (2). Takaro’s scorer was Darnel Hopkinson. 

EASTER CUP SEMI FINALS: 

LongChill Takaro Jokers and Youm Marist Reserves went head-to-head under lights at the Arena. In what was a tense battle for a spot in the Grand Final it was a 2nd half brace from Mohamed Abdelaal that eventually proved the difference as Marist came away 2-0 victors on the night.  

In the other Semi Final Advance Electrical Palmerston North United hosted Levin AFC. The match was ultimately decided by an 85th minute Own Goal by PNU as Levin claimed a thrilling 1-0 win and booked their spot in next week’s Grand Final. 

CHARITY CUP GRAND FINAL: 

At Memorial Park it was Linton FC taking on Levin Reserves for the Charity Cup. The sides produced a thrilling Grand Final that went down to the wire. Eventually it was a 93rd minute goal from Dylan Vine that gave Levin a 1-0 victory to claim the 2023 Charity Cup over a Valliant Linton Side. 

PELOSI TROPHY SEMI FINALS: 

At Skoglund Park JG Residential North End Old Boys were up against Freedom Plus Marist Bulldogs. It was the North End Side who would progress to Final as they accounted for a determined Bulldogs side 3-1. Scorers for North End were James Kelly, Cam Dearlove, and Crispin Moore. Marist’s goal coming through Rogerio Oliveira.  

At Donnelly Park it was Levin Colts taking on the Massey University Good Guys. Stefan Heasman gave the visitors the lead in the 11th minute before Jason Jack equalised for the hosts in the 20th minute. Heasman then put Massey back in front in the 41st minute and they were able to hold on to their lead and book their place in next week’s Grand Final with a 2-1 victory on the road.  

BILL DYER TROPHY SEMI FINALS: 

At Skoglund Park North End Vets took on League winners Red Sox Saints. The sides were unable to break the deadlock in the first half and went to the break all locked up at 0-0. The second half however would belong to Red Sox as goals to Elijah Houlahan (2), and Jayden Van Timmeren would secure them a 3-0 victory and a spot in next weeks finale.  

In the second Semi Final at Timona Park it was the McDonalds Feilding United Development up against the Red Sox A’s. The experience of the A’s eventually pulling through as Red Sox secured a 3-0 victory to set up a clubhouse final against the Saints. Goal Scorers for Red Sox were Ian Robinson (2), and Kevin Whitta. 

NIELSEN CUP SEMI FINALS: 

JRM Automotive Marist Royals were up against Red Sox Hustlers at Skoglund Park. It was the Royals who came out on top in this match as they edged the Hustlers 2-1 to book their spot in next weeks final. Goals for Marist were scored by Richard Nielsen (2). Red Sox goal was scored by Dion Liang.  

In the other Semi Final, it was Chillmax Takaro Glory up against Takaro Bua United. It was Bua United who claimed bragging rights and booked their spot in the final with a 6-0 win over the Glory. Goal Scorers for Bua were Nischal Prasad (2), Jeremiah George, Muhsin Ali, Niten Sahei, and Vinal Swamy. 

MASTERS CUP SEMI FINALS: 

At Donnelly Park the Levin AFC Vets claimed their spot in the cup final thanks to a comprehensive 6-2 victory over the Red Sox Legends. Goal Scorers for Levin were Greg Mitchell-Kouttab (3), Mola Reddy, Julian Newson, and Casey Watson. Hari Fovakis with a brace of goals for the Legends.  

In the second Semi Final Resonant Marist Masters took on Jennian Homes Feilding Masters. Marist took the lead in the 13th minute thanks to an Own Goal by Feilding. Marist held the lead until the 60th minute when Mike Lewis equalised for Feilding.  Neither side were able to net the winning goal and the match ended 1-1. Feilding claiming a 4-2 win from the penalty spot as they look for back-to-back cup titles.  

TEAM ROBINSON MANAWATU WOMEN’S PREMIERSHIP: 

Congratulations to the Chapple Architecture Marist Mayhem winners of the Team Robinson Women’s Premiership for 2023!!!!! 

TINGEY CUP QUARTER FINALS: 

Chapple Architecture Marist Mayhem were up against Massey University Reserves at Hokowhitu Park. Charlotte Godding opening the scoring for the visitors with a long range shot in the 28th minute.  Mayhem responded swiftly thanks to a well taken goal by Amelia Bowen as the sides went into the break all locked up at 1-1. Both sides came out looking for the all-important goal in the second half however neither were able to find it and the match was headed for the penalty spot. It was the visiting Massey side who were able to hold their nerve and book their spot in the Semi Finals 4-3 on penalties.  

TINGEY PLATE QUARTER FINALS: 

In a Marist Derby it was the Gree Evergreenz up against the Tranzit Mysteries. Jane Archer put the Evergreenz in front in the 20th minute. Phillipa Hay equalised for the Mysteries in the 32nd minute. The Mysteries then took the lead thanks to a 50th minute goal from Danielle Storrier. The match took another twist when Christine Cole equalised in the 90th minute for the Evergreenz to see the match end in a 2-2 draw the sides headed to the penalty spot to determine a winner. It was the Evergreenz who came out on top by 3-2 as they progressed to the Semi Finals.  

Article added: Tuesday 29 August 2023