Goals were not as free flowing over the Easter Weekend double-header round with just 27 goals scored in the Mainland Premier League (MPL) compared to 46 in the opening two rounds.

The Hurley Shield changed hands for the first time this season when Ferrymead Bays edged holders, Coastal Spirit 1 - nil on Monday and Cashmere Technical were the only side to claim two wins with Nelson Suburbs also unbeaten with a win and a draw.

Nomads secured their first points of the season when defeating Universities 3 -nil, which meant the students were the only side not to earn a point over the weekend.

With four of the fourteen rounds completed, Suburbs and Technical top the table with 10 points, followed by Coastal and Bays with 7, FC Twenty11 have 6, Nomads 3, Selwyn 2 with Universities yet to secure a point.

On Friday, Technical needed late goals to defeat Bays 2 - nil. FC claimed back-to-back wins when they accounted for Selwyn 3 - 1. Suburbs made the most of their first home game of the season when defeating Nomads 3 - 1 with Coastal coming out on top of their first shield defence of the weekend when overcoming Universities 4 - 0.

In what turned out to be a tight battle between Bays and Technical the deadlock was finally broken when Max Cretien found the back of the net with ten minutes to play, just as Bays were restored to 11 players after Sebastian Schacht had been 'sin binned'.

Cretien then played a big role in the second goal scored in added time scored by Lyle Matthysen.

Coastal were untroubled in accounting for Universities with Louie Bush heading home the opening goal midway into the opening half, this was quickly followed by a second from Haris Zeb to put the holders in control going into the break.

Anthony Jones added a third from the penalty spot with Zeb grabbing a brace late in the game.

FC had the points wrapped up against Selwyn going to the break when leading 3 - nil. Callum Smith opened the scoring after fourteen with Milan Clarke then scoring his debut MPL goal ten minutes later. Smith then added the third, a penalty.

Dan Ede pulled a goal back with some solid FC defence not allowing the Stallions back into the game.

In Nelson, Suburbs made it three wins from three. An Alex Ridsdale strike opened the scoring, before a Ben Wright double completed the first half scoring. Nishan Biswa then reduced the margin just after the break before Ryan Stewart restored the three-goal buffer with twenty to play.

Monday saw Selwyn and Suburbs play out a 2 - 2 result, Bays walking away with the shield when earning a narrow win over neighbours Coastal, with Nomads moving off the bottom when accounting for bottom placed Universities and Technical over coming FC 3 - 1.

The Hurley Shield changed hands for the 23rd time when Bays overcame neighbours Coastal. In a free-flowing game Coastal keeper, James Hickok produced a stunning save to deny Chris Murphy in what would have been a brilliant opening goal, with Coastal then having a goal disallowed for offside just before the break.

Chances continued at both ends before Chris Anderson scored what turned out to be the match winning goal with ten to play, with Coastal's Conner Lidstone receiving a red card in the final seconds of play.  

Aiden Barbour-Ryan had Selwyn in front when scoring in the opening minute and then ended the half with a second goal after Dan Ede raced down the right-hand touch line, before producing a pin-point cross for his team mate.

In between the goal Suburbs had plenty of chances including one that hit the post late in the half.

Early in the second half Sam Ayers scored his 25th MPL goal to reduce the margin with Suburbs finishing strongly and earning a deserved share of the points when Jordan Yong levelled in the final few minutes, with Selwyn and Suburbs two of three sides that have scored in every round.

The third side is Nomads, who collected three vital points when defeating follow strugglers, Universities. The sides turned scoreless with Stephen Hoyle putting Nomads ahead on the hour mark, with two goals in the final ten minutes to Nishan Biswa and Cameron Barlett blowing out the scoreline.

Coach Andy Pitman will be happy that Nomads collected their first clean sheet of the season after having conceded four goals in each of their three previous games.

In a tight opening half, Technical's Andy Tuckey - a penalty and Ryan Nicholson traded first half goals. With FC defending well again, Technical took the lead again in the 71st minute when Aaron Clapham found the back of the net with Daniel Thoms completing the scoring in the final minute of normal time.

Round five see's the clash of the unbeaten sides when Technical travel north to take on Suburbs, Bays will have the Hurley Shield on the line when they face Universities, FC host Coastal and Nomads take on Selwyn, with all games played on Saturday.

Top Two Win In Women's League

The top two sides in the Mainland Women's Premier League both recorded wins, Cashmere Technical accounted for Halswell 4 - 1 with Coastal Spirit defeating Waimakariri 3 - 0 with Universities having the bye.

This leaves both, Technical and Coastal on 4 points, Halswell have 3 with Universities and Waimakariri both yet to secure a point with the latter two sides having a game in hand over their rivals.

Technical made the most of their scoring chances against Halswell in the opening half and with goals to Caitlin Stelle, Emma Kench and Annie Gilchrist and were in charge going to the break, with Halswell unluckly to hit the woodwork.

The second half was more even with Georgia Hemsley and Jonelle Arthur traded goals.

In a game which saw both sides missing players Coastal lead at the break with goals to Arna Robers and current Golden Boot holder, Mel Cameron. Cameron completed her brace into the second half to cotinue Coastal's 100 percent win record over their rivals.

On Saturday Halswell host Waimak with Universities back in action when they take on Technical with Coastal having the break. 

Results / Scorers WPL

Round 2

Cashmere Technical 4 (Caitlin Steele, Emma Kench, Annie Gilchrist, Jonelle Arthur)  Halswell 1 (Georgia Hemsley) HT 3 - 0 Waimakariri 0 Coastal Spirit 3 (Mel Cameron 2 Arna Roberts) HT 0 - 2 Universities the bye

Results /Scorers MPL

Round 3

Coastal Spirit 4 (Haris Zeb 2, Louie Bush, Anthony Jones - pen) Universities 0 HT 2 - 0

FC Twenty11 3 (Callum Smith 2 - incl pen, Milan Clarke) Selwyn 1 (Dan Ede) HT 1 - 0

Ferrymead Bays 0 Cashmere Technical 2 (Max Chretien, Lyle Matthysen) HT 0 - 0

Nelson Suburbs 4 (Ben Wright 2, Alex Ridsdale, Ryan Stewart) Nomads 1 (Nishan Biswa) HT 3 - 0

Round 4

Cashmere Technical 3 (Andy Tuckey - pen, Aaron Clapham, Daniel Thoms) FC Twenty 11 1 (Ryan Nicholson) HT 1 - 1

Coastal Spirit 0 Ferrymead Bays 1 (Chris Anderson) HT 0 - 0

Selwyn 2 (Aiden Barbour-Ryan 2) Nelson Suburbs 2 (Sam Ayers, Jordan Yong) HT 2 - 0

Universities 0 Nomads 3 (Stephen Hoyle, Nishan Biswa, Cameron Barlett) HT 0 - 0