Good results for the home sides as they all recorded wins in the weekend’s round of the Mainland Premier League (MPL).

Leaders coming into the round, Nelson Suburbs were punished by defensive errors when going down to Coastal Spirit 3 - 1, Cashmere Technical coming out on top in a seven-goal thriller 4 - 3 against Nomads with the latter pushing their rival all the way.

In the bottom of the table clash, Universities made the early running and come out on top of Selwyn 3 - 1 and in the final game Ferrymead Bays retained the Hurley Shield when defeating FC Twenty11 3 - 0.

Technical now top the table on 14 points, one clear of Bays and Coastal with Suburbs dropping out of the top three for the first time this season, remaining on 11. Nomads have 6 the as FC with Universities on 3 and Selwyn now at the foot of the table on 2.

In a game full of end-to-end action which saw both keepers called on to make several saves before Ryan Stewart put Suburbs ahead after 31 minutes. Coastal's keeper, James Hickok came  out of his area to head the ball clear but the ball glanced behind the keeper and Ryan Stewart raced into to put the ball into the empty net.

On the stoke of half Anthony Jones scored in his 100th game for Coastal, with a clever shot on the turn. Early in the second half Ben Wright, who had come on as sub for Suburbs, broke clear and in space elected to pass rather go for goal himself and the chance was gone. With 20 minutes to go a series of errors from the Suburbs defence allowed Jones in to score his second goal. With seven minutes to play Suburbs somehow overturned the ball from their own freekick and Matt Thomas, who had been subbed on for Jones skipped clear to complete the scoring.

Technical remain as the only side unbeaten in the MPL this season when overcoming Nomads - who held the lead three times - with Technical taking the lead for the first time in the game when Lyle Matthysen scored the winner with a minute of normal time to play.  

Both sides having chances to add to the score line in a hectic seven minutes of added time. Steven Hoyle opened the scoring to give Nomads an early lead before a stunning freekick by Aaron Clapham saw the sides level at the break.

Nishan Biswa continued his scoring streak, scoring in his sixth straight game and his eighth of the season to put Nomads back in front before Futa Nakamura levelled. Hoyle replied almost immediately to put the visitors back in front. Daniel Thoms then locked up the fixture for the third time before Matthysen strike denied Nomads what would have been a deserved point.

Universities made the most of some sloppy Selwyn defence to secure a vital three points, the students first win since defeating Western in what turned out to be the relegation decider in round 19 last season.

Universities dominated the opening quarter with Hamish Wallace becoming the 650th different MPL scorer when finding the back of the net in the eighth minutes. Five minutes later, Tom Bailey doubled the lead with Universities queuing up for the killer blow which came a short time later.  

Declan Hickford, who recently transferred to the Stallions from Technical, scored what was a late consolation with eight to play.  

Bays made it three wins on the bounce when accounting for FC. A goal in each half to Nikolai Molijn, sandwiched a strike from Chris Murphy on the hour to safely turned away the shield challenge from FC.

In the coming round Bays travel north to play Suburbs, Nomads host Coastal, FC take on Universities and it is bottom verse top when Selwyn entertain Technical.

Big Win Puts Coastal On Top

Coastal Spirit moved to the top of the Women's Premier League (WPL) when record a big win 9 - 3 away to Halswell, with the points shared between Waimakariri and Universities when they played out a 2 - 2 result as Cashmere Technical had the draw.

Both Coastal and Technical have 7 points, Waimakariri 4, Halswell 3 and Universities 1, with Halswell having played one more game than their rivals.

Coastal dominated the scoring in the first half at Halswell Domain against a plucky Halswell side, going to the break the 5 - 0 with both Arna Roberts and Cody Taylor claiming a brace and the other scored by Mel Cameron. All three Coastal players went on to complete their hat-tricks but Halswell more that had to the half with Bryony Bunting, Jennifer Merkin and Baylee Williams all netting for the Hawks.

In the only other WPL fixture, Universities surprised the home side when Ashleigh Parent scored in the opening minutes in what turned out to be the only goal of the opening half. Ashleigh Leonard added the second for the students with Ella Fong and Abby de Visser ensure that Waimak secure their first home point of the season.

This coming Saturday Technical host Waimakariri with Universities face Coastal Spirit with Halswell having the bye.  

Results / Goal Scorers

Men's

Round 6 

Cashmere Technical 4 (Aaron Clapman, Futa Nakamura, Daniel Thoms, Lyle Matthysen) Nomads 3 (Stephen Hoyle 2, Nishan Biswa) HT 1 - 1

Coastal Spirit 3 (Anthony Jones 2, Matt Thomas) Nelson Suburbs 1 (Ryan Stewart) HT 1 - 1

Ferrymead Bays 3 (Nikolai Molijn 2, Chris Murphy) FC Twenty11 0 HT 1 - 0

Universities 3 (Hamish Wallace, Tom Bailey, Callum Gillies) Selwyn 1 (Declan Hickford) HT 3 - 0

Golden Boot

8 Nishan Biswa (Nomads)

6 Anthony Jones (Coastal Spirit)

6 Stephen Hoyle (Nomads)

4 Aidan Barbour-Ryan (Selwyn)

4 Ben Wright (Nelson Suburbs)

4 Callum Smith (FC Twenty11)

4 Dan Ede (Selwyn)

4 Daniel Thoms (Cashmere Technical)

4 Michael Forshaw (Ferrymead Bays)

Women's

Round 4

Halswell 3 (Jenny Merkin, Bryony Bunting, Baylee Williams) Coastal Spirit 9 (Arna Roberts 3, Cody Taylor 3, Mel Cameron 3) HT 0 - 5 

Waimak 2 (Ella Fong, Abby de Visser) Universities 2 (Ashleigh Parent, Ashleigh Leonard) HT 0 - 1

Cashmere Technical the bye

Golden Boot

5 Cody Taylor (Coastal Spirit)

5 Mel Cameron (Coastal Spirit)

4 Arna Roberts (Coastal Spirit)

2 Annalie Longo (Cashmere Technical)

2 Annie Gilchrist (Cashmere Technical)

2 Frankie Morrow (Cashmere Technical)

2 Jaya Stewart (Waimakariri)