Nelson Pine Industries Men’s 1st Division

After nine rounds, the team from Marlborough are setting the pace with eight wins and one loss. The Rangers boys have scored 35 goals so far and conceded only four, so they are the team that all others are looking to upset. Their only loss came against Fresh Choice Richmond earlier in the year, who were excited about heading over the hill on Saturday until all games were cancelled. They’re hoping the matches can be rescheduled later in the season, though, as sitting in third place five points behind Rangers, the possibility of another 3 points against the league leaders would help immensely in their own title race. Sitting in second place between them both, however, is the ever-dangerous FC Nelson. FC have had seven wins and two losses and, on their day, can beat anyone. It’s undoubtedly going to be a close race for the remainder of the season. And not to forget the other teams in the competition – Motueka, who started brightly, have struggled over the past few weeks but can also upset any of the teams and should never be taken lightly. The young Nelson Suburbs Development side is also one to watch out for, and with three wins to their name, know they can compete in this Division and enter every game with the attitude that they can score points. Newcomers to the league, FC Nelson Locomotive, sit in sixth place. Although initially they weren’t keen on mixing it in the top Division, they have shown everyone they deserve to be there with some strong performances. Sprig and Fern Tahuna are probably disappointed with their season so far, and despite having a solid team on paper, have struggled with consistency and injuries. However, they are a determined lot and will not give up or give in. Watch out for them when they get the chance to have a full complement of players. They can beat any team on their day also. The bottom of the league are the other newcomers, Golden Bay, and despite their 0 win/7 loss stat so far, they have secured two draws and are proving to be a difficult team to beat. They also don’t have the worst goal against number, showing that their defence is as strong as anyone. They just appear to be finding it hard to hit the target at the other end. But, never write them off, and we can see a big upset coming for the boys from the Bay soon…

Nelson Pine Industries Women’s 1st Division

With only four teams in the women’s 1st Division this year, they play regularly and are becoming well known to each other now. The Hothouse Richmond Foxes are once again leading the league and the team to chase. However, Nelson Suburbs are only 2 points behind on the ladder and depending on results this weekend. The lead could see a change. Suburbs were bolstered by their two international players Amelia Abbott and Anna McPhie. However, both have now returned overseas and will be sorely missed. But the team will still be highly motivated to take the points from their game against the Blenheim Valley Bullets, and if the Foxes fall to FC Nelson, the league ladder could very well change. The Blenheim Valley Bullets and FC Nelson have both had mixed results this year but can be as strong as any of the teams on their day. It’s a great women’s 1st Division this year, but we are hopeful a few more clubs step up next year to make the competition even better.

Nelson Pine Industries Men’s 2nd Division

In the most interesting and perhaps competitive 2nd Division the region has seen for several years, after nine rounds, FC Nelson Karenni and Nelson Suburbs Seals are tied on points with nine wins each. The FC boys have a better goal difference at the moment with 43 for and ten against, but the Seals, who have 46 for and 17 against, will not lie down easily and will be doing all they can to take the title. One of the unexpected front runners in the league is Miki’s Mob, also from Nelson Suburbs. Miki’s team, who have risen rapidly over the past few seasons from the lower divisions, are dangerous for any team to come up against, and at this stage, are looking pretty comfortable in third place. Tied on 12 points each, and sitting in 4th equal currently, are the Fresh Choice Richmond and FC Nelson Reserve teams. Both teams have four wins and five losses each and will be determined to climb the ladder with any opportunity they take. The remaining three spots are taken up by Wakefield (always tough, especially when playing them at home), FC Nelson Development (another young team finding their way in senior football) and Tahuna (who are almost on a re-build season and like their 1st div club-mates are suffering with a bit of consistency) – all three, however, can be tough to crack and enjoy trying to play a free-flowing style of football and are enjoyable to watch.

Who will take the titles for the three divisions this year? Although there are some clear front runners at the moment, it’s still up for grabs and exciting for any neutral spectator. Watch this space…

Written by Stu Reid.
Article added: Monday 19 July 2021