Universities End Coastal’s Unbeaten Run 

Universities ended champions Coastal Spirit’s unbeaten run in the final round of the Mainland Women's Premier League (WPL) edging them 2 - 1 on Saturday. Cashmere Technical accounted for Waimakariri 3 - 1 and Halswell had the bye. The final table sees Coastal on 25, Technical 23, Waimak and Universities 17, with Halswell, back in WPL this season for the first time since 2013, on 3.

The students deserved their win who went into the game with just eleven players, with Rebecca Lake and Una Foyle away at the Under-20 World Cup in France. With Foyle on international duty, Lily Bray, back from injury, played in goal. 

Taylor gave Coastal the ideal start, scoring after six minutes after being set up by Chloe Webster. 

Universities drew level minutes later when Holly Pascoe used her pace to skip past the Coastal defence and finish well. 

The winning goal came in the 72^ndminute when Pascoe hit the post and Konagh Garrett was left unmarked to score from the rebound. 

The two sides clash again next Saturday in the semi-final of the Blackwell's Holden Reta Fitzpatrick Cup.

Technical had to come from behind to defeat Waimak. Jayda Stewart scored what was Waimak's first ever goal away to Tech in the WPL, before Emma Kench locked up the scoreline from the penalty spot. 

Annie Gilchrist then put Technical ahead from a long range freekick and Monique Barker added a third in the closing stages of play. 

Waimak will now face Halswell away in the other semi-final of the Reta Fitzpatrick Cup. 

FC Win Again

FC Twenty11 continued their winning ways in Mainland Premier Qualifying League and racked up their third straight win defeating Selwyn 3 - 1.

Joe Arnott put Selwyn ahead after three minutes with a good finish. Callum Smith put FC back on level terms seven minutes later with an equally tidy finish. 

Selwyn had the advantage of playing with a strong win in the first half but they could not make it count. Smith scored his second to put FC ahead in the 72nd minute and Coner Clarke added a third in the final minute of play. 

FC now cannot be caught by either Selwyn or Universities who are left to battle it out to avoid relegation. 

FC now face Universities under lights at Avonhead Park on Tuesday evening.     

Western and Halswell Still Locked Up

Western and Halswell are still locked in a battle for the race to the Canterbury Championship League after they both recorded good wins on Saturday. Western won at home 5 - 1 over Christchurch United, with Halswell going one better away from home to account for Burwood 6 - 1. The final game saw Waimakariri defeat Parkland for the first time this season 1 - 0. Western and Halswell both have 35 points, Waimak are now on 20, Parklands 19, ChCh United and Burwood 15.

Western now face Coastal Spirit in the second semi-final of the Blackwell's Holden English Cup at English Park on Tuesday evening. The winner will face Cashmere Technical in the final.

Results

Mainland Premier Qualifying League - Round 4 of 12

Selwyn 1 (Joe Arnott) FC Twenty11 3 (Callum Smith 2, Coner Clarke)

Mainland Women's Premier League Round 15 of 15

Cashmere Technical 3 (Emma Kench (pen), Annie Gilchrist, Monique Barker)   Waimakariri 1 (Jayda Stewart) 

Universities 2 (Holly Pascoe, Konagh Garrett) Coastal Spirit 1 (Cody Taylor)

Golden Boot

18 Cody Taylor (Coastal Spirit) 
11 Emma Kench (Cashmere Technical), Jayda Stewart (Waimakariri)
10 Arna Roberts (Coastal Spirit) Coastal Spirit)
9 Mel Cameron (Coastal Spirit)

7 Monique Barker (Cashmere Technical)
6 Holly Pascoe (Universites)

Canterbury Championship League - 17 of 20

Burwood 1 Halswell 6

Waimakariri 1 Parklands 0

Western 5 ChCh United 1 

Article added: Monday 30 July 2018