Round 9 in the Mainland Premier League has several key match ups over the weekend.

On Saturday at 2:45pm third placed Coastal Spirit host leaders, Cashmere Technical at Cuthberts Green. Second placed Ferrymead Bays face Selwyn, in what doubles as a Hurley Shield Challenge. In what is shaping to be a shoot-out for fifth place and a place in the South Island League, FC Twenty11 - currently in sixth place entertain Nomads, who are in fifth place at Avonhead Park. On Sunday at Midday, third placed Nelson Suburbs have the home advantage over Universities.   

Coastal square off against neighbours Technical in what is a must win for Coastal, if they want to claim their first MPL title and having already dropped two games this season, a third would be a major blow. Technical have yet to lose a game this season and surprisingly, have yet to drop a point to Coastal on the road in the MPL, they will be out to do the double on their rivals this season.     

Form: Coastal D W L W W L W                Technical D W W D W W W              

Previous Result This Season: Technical  2  Coastal 0                             

Head to Head: Played 19 - Coastal 2 wins, Draws 3, Technical 14 wins

When Bays and Selwyn last met they shared the points in an amazing game which saw a dozen goals scored, Selwyn flighting back from being 5 - 1 down to lead, before Bays levelled in added time. Bays sit 15-points clear of bottom place Selwyn and will be as short odds to retain the Shield, however a point would be enough for Selwyn to climb above Universities. 

Form: Bays D L W W W D W                Selwyn D L D L L L L

Previous Result This Season: Selwyn 6 Bays 6           

Head to Head: Played 1 - Bays 1 win

In the second derby game of the round, FC and Nomads meet in the battle for fifth spot. The last time the two clashed it was a bit if a see-saw affair, with the lead changing three time before FC grabbed all the points on offer deep in added time.  

Form: FC W W L L L W L                                      Nomads L L W W L W L            

Previous Result This Season: Nomads 3 FC 4 

Head to Head: Played 7 - FC 4 wins, Draws 2, Nomads 1 

Suburbs are looking to become the first club to win 100 MPL games at their home venue when they take on Universities, with the students looking for the upset as they look to put some distant between them and bottom-placed Selwyn. Suburbs are unbeaten at home and know that a win will not only gain them the milestone, but could see them climb a spot on the table - if Coastal drop any points against Technical.                  

Form: Suburbs W W D D L D W               Universities L L L L W L L     

Previous Result This Season: Universities 3 Suburbs 4                   

Head to Head: Played 15 - Suburbs 11 wins, Draws 1, Universities 3 wins

Chatham Cup Action

Burham and Waimakariri meet for the first time in the only remaining local tie in the ISPS Handa Chatham Cup at Coronation Park, Burnham. Both teams have similar results in their respective leagues this season with Burnham, in Division 2 looking to topple Waimakariri who play in the Canterbury Championship League(CCL).

Top Women's Side Clash In Cup

Coastal Spirit and Cashmere Technical clash in the only game of the opening round of the Blackwells Holden Reta Fitzpatrick Cup at English Cup at 12:30pm in Saturday.

Both teams have dominated the local scene in recent years and come into the game locked together on top of the Women's Premier League (WPL) table. When the two met in the league they shared the points in a 2 - 2 result and are due to meet again next Saturday in the league. Coastal currently hold 'The Reta', with the winner of the tie moving into the semi-finals along with Halswell, Universities and Waimakariri who all drew byes for the opening round, and due to the cup game there is no WPL games this weekend.