Weekly Football Review for Manawatu 2nd-3rd September 2023 

MEN’S FEDERATION LEAGUE – ROUND 5  

Bayleys Palmerston North United hosted ALH Limited Gisborne Thistle at Memorial Park in Palmerston North. A brace of goals from Oska Smith gave the visitors a 2-0 lead at the break. Ryan McDermott pulled on back for United in the 55th minute before Cullen Spawforth and Jimmy Somerton netted to extend the lead for thistle. Olly Ceci reduced the deficit late in the match however it was only to be a consolation goal with the visitors holding on to claim a 4-2 win on the road.  

EASTER CUP GRAND FINAL: 

Youm Marist Reserves went head-to-head with Levin AFC. The sides were unable to break the deadlock in the first half and headed into the break all locked up at 0-0. Levin took the lead in the 51st minute thanks to a goal from Tahana Perigo.  Marist kept fighting and were rewarded for their efforts with an 83rd minute equaliser from Alex Harold. Neither side were able to find a winning goal inside 90 minutes and the match ended 1-1 and headed into Extra Time. It was Levin who were able to find the go-ahead goal thanks to Oliver James in the 3rd minute of extra time.  Marist never gave in and fought until the very end however Levin held their nerve and were able to hold off the Green Machine to claim a 2-1 win and the title of 2023 Easter Cup Champions.  

PELOSI TROPHY GRAND FINAL: 

At Skoglund Park JG Residential North End Old Boys were up against the Massey University Good Guys. It was the Old Boys who took the lead in the 9th minute thanks to a well taken goal from Jordan Te Kooro. The Old Boys came out after half time knocking the ball around well and doubled their lead in the 53rd minute thanks to Crispin Moore. The Good Guys were up for the fight and put the Old Boys under a lot of pressure.  They were rewarded with a goal to Stefan Heasman in the 86th minute. This set up a grandstand finish with Massey continuing to apply the pressure until the very last kick of the match. However, it was the Old Boys who were able to hold on and claim a 2-1 win and the title of 2023 Pelosi Trophy Champions. 

BILL DYER TROPHY GRAND FINAL: 

In a club derby final Red Sox Saints were up against the Red Sox A’s. The sides were unable to break the deadlock in the first half and went to the break all locked up at 0-0. Reuben Porter put the saints in front with a 63rd minute goal. The A’s responded with a 73rd minute goal by Nikora Davis. The match looked destined for extra time however there was to be a late winner and it was Ian Robinson who would provide it as he slotted home in the 90th minute to give the A’S a 2-1 win as they claimed the 2023 Bill Dyer Trophy.  

NIELSEN CUP GRAND FINAL: 

JRM Automotive Marist Royals took on Takaro Bua United. The sides were all locked up at halftime with neither able to break the deadlock in the first half.  It was eventually Takaro Bua that were able to find the back of the net and when they did, they scored back-to-back goals in quick succession thanks to a brace from Asween Kumar. They then put the match beyond any doubt in the 78th minute when Vinal Swamy found the back of the net as they secured a 3-0 win and were presented the 2023 Nielsen Cup.  

MASTERS CUP GRAND FINAL: 

At Celaeno Park Jennian Homes Feilding Masters and Levin AFC Vets went head-to-head in a repeat of the 2022 Grand Final. Scott Harvey gave Levin the lead in the 19th minute. Mike Lewis then equalised for Feilding in the 28th minute to see the sides all locked up 1-1 at the half time break. Blair Funnell then Correy Kotuhi netted for Feilding early in the second spell. Levin were not giving up and Brent Tucker pulled a goal back in the 82nd minute to set up a thrilling finish. Feilding however were able to hold on to their lead and claim a 3-2 win to be crowned back-to-back cup champions.  

TINGEY CUP SEMI FINALS: 

At Donnelly Park Levin AFC Women’s side hosted Massey University Reserves. Both Sides have been evenly matched this season and this match was no different in the first half with the sides heading to the break all locked up at 0-0. The visitors however came out firing in the second spell and were rewarded for their endeavours through a Sarah Andrew’s Hattrick as they secured a 3-0 win on the road to book their spot in next weeks Grand Final.  

Joining them in the Final will be Chillmax Takaro X-Force as they were convincing 7-0 winners over Rosco’s Bulk Yard Feilding United Women.  Goal Scorers for the X-Force were Maria Gurney (3), Waimereni Hudson (2), Shenisia Gounden, and Zoe Adams. 

TINGEY PLATE SEMI FINALS: 

LJ Contracting Takaro Avengers booked their spot in next week’s final as they were 3-0 winners over the Massey University Golden Girls. Goal Scorers for the Avengers were Ruby Angus-Woodhead, Tessa Key, and Learne De Vries.  

Gree Marist Evergreenz were up against Takaro Harlequins. Justine Saunders put the Evergreenz in front with a 41st minute strike. Takaro responded with goals from Julie Briden and Mereaira Savage-Helmbright in quick succession just after the half time break as they took a 2-1 lead. They were able to hold on against a determined Evergreenz to claim their spot in next week’s all Takaro Grand Final.  

Article added: Tuesday 05 September 2023