The weekend that was, a Manawatu Football round up.

Round #1 – 6^th & 7^th April

Dannevirke Sports Club

After some uncertainty around numbers and teams Dannevirke turned out two teams for the opening round. The Rangers side travelled away to the beautiful Donnelly Park and fell short in a 3-1 defeat.  Vikings were also on the road and went down 4-2 in a spirited game against Pahiatua AFC.

Feilding United AFC

Feilding have grown by an extra team this season and it’s great to see the relationship with the High School blossoming. Jeff Gleave is back at the helm and they got off to a solid start over newly promoted Takaro winning 3-2. Mike Lewis  again showing he will be a threat to all teams again this season netting a brace. The clubs Masters side showed its credentials with an emphatic 9-0 win over Levin Vets. A genuine Masters team is Feilding and Duane Butts amongst the goals with 2. Looking down the line-up Malcolm Thomas and Greg Day surely into their 30^th season with the club?? The Women’s side who bravely made the step=up to the Federation league made a good showing going down 3-1 to a experienced Hokowhitu side coached by former WDO Sandra Allison. Bec’s “Big Bird” Holland opened her scoring account with Feildings goal.

Hawks

The Hawks team after a mad scramble of getting things sorted are now actually sorted and on the grass! They played Levin at Hokowhitu and although they lost 4-0 it was a much improved second half. Plenty to build on.

Hokowhitu FC

The Ray White sponsored first team travelled away on Sunday to New Plymouth. Early strike saw them ahead but Rangers battled hard. With a good crowd in spurring Rangers on they eventually ran out winners 4-2. Their reserve team was on the wrong side of a 5-0 score line but as a largely new squad they will look to improve throughout the season. Hustlers just getting pipped 1-0.  On Sunday Sandra Allison led her experienced but youthful squad against Feilding as both teams took the step up to the Federation League. Hokowhitu showing they will be a tough nut to crack winning 3-1.

Levin AFC

No play for their Premiership side who opened with a BYE but plenty of other teams in action on a superb Donnelly Park. The reserve team taking a hard fought match out against PNBHS 4-3. Can’t comment on scorers at this point as no team sheet in……. (hint hint). Sports got off to winning ways 3-0 however Vets will be somewhat shell-shocked after the 9-0 score line they suffered.

Manawatu Plunderers

Plunderers seem to have refilled their ranks and be set for another season. The standalone team has good family ties and Kylee Thomas again keeps the lads organized! They started their season with a 1-0 win against Hokowhitu Hustlers.

Marist PN

In W-League action Marist travelled to Wellington to play in the Kelly Cup. Newly appointed coach Barry Scullion and team and a tough day at the office going down 4-0. Adam Cowan led the Men’s first team to victory against Napier Marist on Memorial Park. A 8-2 score line reflective of the game but likely not anticipated by many with the Jamie Dunning coached Napier side coming with big wraps. Nick Carrick with a hat-trick which included a penalty. Chairman Jason Flynn side Shamrock Rovers edged out RSM Legends. In Sunday games the One Staff reserve team went to fortress Wembley Park in Wanganui and came away with a point. Evergreenz and Avengers notched up first round wins against other Marist sides.

Massey University

Isles Construction sponsored 1^st Team were dispatched by a new look Red Sox team 3-1 on Skoglund 4. Things going from bad to worse when their custodian was send with 25 minutes to play. Massey President Rhys  Hardstaff making his coaching debut in the Horizons Premiership will surely be delighted with his sides 8-1 romp at Wanagnui Athletic expense. Massey looking to go one place better than last year it looks. Rhys Galyar

With a hat-trick on his return form a 12 month injury. The women’s first team were away to Taradale and were up 1-0 in the first half. The squad with new coach Terry Wood couldn’t hold the hosts out with the game finishing 1-1. Taradale having missed two penalty’s will no doubt my kicking themselves.  Massey Women’s reserves got pipped with 11 minutes to go on Sunday after leading 1-0 and at Massey their third side conceded in the 80^th minute, points shared there.

North End AFC

“The Peoples Club” started where they left off in 2018 in winning ways. On the back of the Chinese Cup victory they put newly promoted Palmerston North Boys high to the sword. Nathan Cooksley netting a brace with Boys High teacher and mentor William Hodge showing no mercy to his students also netting two. With the Matt Wallace coached reserves winning 2-1 against cross town rivals Marist signs are looking good for the club. On Sunday Wallace against took W coming from a 1-0 deficit to beat Massey Reserves 2-1. A 79^th minute winner from Maria Carlyle securing all  three points.

Pahiatua

Justin Brown’s organized side put up a fight and ran out 4-2 winners over the visiting Dannevirke side. If only I could read the team sheet photo I would name the guy who scored two! (Justin no hard feelings J )

Palmerston North Boys High

Welcome to the Lotto Federation league lads. A tough first up opponent in last year’s 2^nd place finishing club North End. With the prize being a higher finish at national tournament coach Stephen Dawson will surely see plenty more positives than negatives in the result. Talented forward KayKay Adeyinka put the school boys ahead after 12 minutes but North Ends experience shone through. Their reserve team put in a spirited shift away to Levin reserves eventually losing 4-3.

Red Sox

The giant awakens…… could well be the title today with all but one of their senior teams taking victory on the opening day. The newly appointed Shane Rufer coached team got its first win, something they were unable to manage last term. With largely a new squad pre-season has jelled the team. Young 16 year old Riley Murrell with a goal of pure class to chip the advancing Massey goalkeeper. The Wrinklies with a massive result 11-2 over Fury. Adam Rose taking the field for his 11^th season with the squad and quotes “ don’t give in to time”, wise words.

Takaro AFC

Takaro made its Horizons Premiership debut and put up a real determined effort against Feilding AFC over at Timona Park. Ayrton Smith showing he can score goals at all levels and opening his account with a brace. The Fury side played away against the most student of student teams Massey Athletic. The students seemingly having abit to much energy for the Fury, score line 5-0.

Article added: Tuesday 09 April 2019