Round 8 of the MPL saw all the four leading sides recording wins on ANZAC Day, with Cashmere Technical notching up their 100 MPL win when over-running Universities 9 - 1. Ferrymead Bays came from behind to defeat Nomads 6 - 2, Nelson Suburbs recorded the third big win when accounting for FC Twenty11 4 - 1 with Coastal Spirit edging Selwyn 3 - 1. Technical top the table on 20 points, Bays have 17, one ahead of Coastal with Suburbs back in 15. Both Nomads and FC have 9, Universities 3 and Selwyn 2.

Universities were no match for unbeaten Technical who collected their 100th three pointer in just 134 MPL outings. Andy Tuckey opening the scoring early with Tom Schwarz, Luke Tongue and a hat-trick by Max Chretien seeing Tech well incontrol at the break. Angus McCarthy reduced the margin just after the break before Schwarz completed his hat-trick then another from Tuckey completed the rout.

Nomads opened the scoring after 15 minutes to a good finish to Byron Heath with the game then turning when Bays scored four-times within ten minutes before the break. Michael White opened the scoring spree followed by Chris Murphy, Jordan Halligan and Mark Peers. Nishan Biswa maintains his lead in the Golden Boot race after he reduced the margin from the penalty spot for Nomads, who then conceded an own goal before Juan Chang added Bays sixth goal in added time.

Suburbs goals were split evenly in each half. Eddie Sillars opened the scoring before Labu Pan scored either side of the break, before Ben Wright completed the scoring action, to close within a goal of joining Russell Kamo as the fifth highest ever scorer in the MPL.

Selwyn continued on their win-less run when going down to Coastal. Dominic McGarr put Coastal ahead before his team mate Anthony Jones and Selwyn's Dan Ede traded goals before the break with defender McGarr completed a solid game with his second goal.

Round 9 on Saturday see's Bays defending the Hurley Shield against Selwyn at Ferrymead Park, Coastal trying to end Technical's unbeaten run at Cuthberts Green, with FC hosting Nomads at Avonhead Park; all games having 2:45pm kick-offs. On Sunday at midday Universities travel north to take on Suburbs.  

Parklands Knock Former Cup Holders Out

Former six time holders, Christchurch United have been knocked out of the ISPS Handa Chatham Cup by Parklands when prevailing 2 - 1 in extra time. In other ties, Western advanced 5 - 0 over St Albans Shirley with FC Nelson defeating Richmond Athletic 2 - 0.

In a tight opening half Parklands took the lead when Kamil El Mohib scored after 23 minutes with Christchurch  United drawing level when Geoff MacIntyre replied ten minutes later. The second half failed to produce anymore  goals, with Christchurch United going into extra time with only ten, following a sending off when a player received a second yellow card. The teams could not be seperated until near the end of extra-time, with Jesse Robson scoring the winning goal with only 5 miutes remaining on the clock.

Western were untroubled to move into the next round when over coming SAS. Alex Pak opened the scoring early before Aaron McDonald and Ryan Stanley extended the lead before the break. Stanley bagged a brace with Conner Brandon also adding his name to the scoresheet to complete the scoring for Western.

In Nelson, FC Nelson continued to cup dominance over Richmond Athletic. Nick Croswell opened the scoring midway into the first half, with Robbie Barlett ensuring the win when doubling the lead with 15 minutes to play.  The final local game in the opening round of the cup will be played on Saturday at 2:30pm when Burham host Waimakariri Utd.

Results / Scorers

Mainland Premier League - Round 8

Cashmere Technical 9 (Max Chretien 3, Tom Schwarz 3, Andy Tuckey 2, Luke Tongue) Universities 1 (Angus McCarthy) HT 6 - 1

Coastal Spirit  3 (Dominic McGarr 2, Anthony Jones) Selwyn 1 (Dan Ede) HT 2 - 1

Nelson Suburbs 4 (Labu Pan 2, Eddie Sillars, Ben Wright) FC Twenty11 0 HT 2 - 0

Nomads 2 (Byron Health, Nishan Biswa - pen) Ferrymead Bays 6 (Michael White, Chris Murphy, Jordan Halligan, Mark Peers, Juan Chang, own goal) HT 1 - 4   

ISPS Handa Chatham Cup

Parklands 2 (Kamil El Mohad, Jesse Robson) ChCh United (Geoff MacIntyre) HT 1 - 1 aet HT 1 - 1 - Chch United finished a player down after a double yellow

Richmond Athletic 0 FC Nelson 2 (Nick Croswell, Robbie Barlett) HT 0 - 1

St Albans Shirley 0 Western 5 (Alex Pak, Aaron McDonald, Ryan Stanley 2, Conner Brandon) HT 0 - 3