Round 9 of the MPL saw Nelson Suburbs survive a late scare from Universities to move into third place, while at the same time claiming their 100th home MPL win 2 – 1.

Coastal Spirit - who held third place coming into the round - were edged by leaders, Cashmere Technical 2 – 1, Ferrymead Bay accounted for Selwyn 3 – 1, Nomads moved clear of FC Twenty11 when defeating them in a high-scoring game, 6 – 3.

With five rounds remaining, Technical have 23 points, Bays 20, Suburbs 18, two-clear of Coastal. Nomads move to 12, FC have 9, Universities 3 and Selwyn 2.

Suburbs looked to be in control against Universities when holding a two-goal advantage after an hour. A stunning freekick by Jordon Yong gave Suburbs the early lead, with Ben Wright doubling the lead on the hour. A second yellow card then saw the students go a man down. Angus McCarthy bagged his second goal in as many games with ten to play. In added time Universities were awarded a penalty with keeper, Corey Wilson the home hero, saving the spot kick in what was the final kick of the game.

Coastal hopes of their first MPL title took a massive hit when going down to Technical by the odd goal. A set move from a corner saw Dominic McGarr left unmarked to head home in the 8th minute. Coastal then failed to make the most of a solid start with Technical then scoring after a Coastal attack was snuffed out with the ball then passing the length of the field for Lyle Matthysen to level just before the break.

Technical had the better of the play after the break and took the lead with another good strike from Matthysen with 20 to play.

Bays successfully defended the Hurley Shield when edging Selwyn. Michael White opened the scoring with the fastest goal of the season when finding the back of the net in the opening minute. White then added a second in the 12th minute. Selwyn’s Mitchell Cockburn then pulled a goal back on the hour, before Mark Peers restored Bays two goal margin, before, deep in added time, Dan Ede Selwyn’s second goal.

In what was the battle for fifth place, FC and Nomads went toe-to-toe for the first six goals. Stephen Hoyle put Nomads ahead from the penalty spot before goals to Conor Clarke and Ryan Nicholson saw FC take the lead with the sides going to the break level after Byron Heath scored late in the half.

Luke Petrie then score to put Nomads ahead, but the lead was short lived when Callum Smith scored to lock up the scoreboard. Petrie then restored Nomads lead before Hoyle went on to bag his second hat-trick of the season to wrap up the three points.

Round 10 will see Nomads host Suburbs, with the leading two sides clashing when Technical entertain Bays. Selwyn face FC with Universities facing Coastal.

On Tuesday evening the first game of this seasons Blackwells Holden English Cup kicks off when Ferrymead Bays take on FC Twenty11 at 7:30pm.

Waimak Advance In Chatham CupWaimakariri moved into the next round of the ISPS Handa Chatham Cup when they defeated Burnham 8 – 1 after leading 4 – 1 at the break.

Danny Loney scored five of the goals for Waimak, with Mitchell Quigley, Luke Fraser and Ben Hardie adding their names to the score sheet with Chris Beckworth scoring for Burnham.

Waimakariri will now join other round 1 winners, FC Nelson, Parklands and Western along with the following twelve teams at drew byes - Cashmere Technical, Coastal Spirit, Ferrymead Bays, Nelson Suburbs, Nomads United, Selwyn United, Universities, FC Twenty11, Burwood, Halswell United, Tahuna and Rangers (Blenhiem) in the next round of the cup scheduled to be played on the weekend of 12/13 May, with the draw being made early this week by New Zealand Football.

Extra Time Needed In ‘The Reta’

Extra time was needed to find the winner in the opening round of the Blackwells Holden Reta Fitzpatrick Cup, with Coastal Spirit edging arch rivals Cashmere Technical 2 - 1.

In a tight opening half were the top sides in the Women’s Premier League had early chances, the best seeing Technical’s Jonelle Arthur hitting the post after 35 minutes, in what turned out to be a scoreless opening half.

Early in the second half, Coastal’s Arna Roberts had plenty of time but elected to shot early and the shot went wide.

Football Fern Annalie Longo then skied a shot over the bar for Tech in the 53rd minute. Eight minutes later, Cody Taylor was brought down in the area and Arna Roberts scored from the resulting penalty to put cup holders, Coastal into the lead.

Into the final minutes and Technical had several half chances to level before in a good move started by Longo saw Monique Barker equalise deep in added time.

Extra time was a tight affair with chances at either end, before Cody Taylor scored the winner for Coastal.

Coastal will now join Halswell, Universities and Waimakariri in the semi-final draw.Coastal and Tech meet again this Saturday when the Women’s Premier League resumes with Technical host Coastal with Universities take on Halswell with Waimakariri having the bye.

Results /Scorers

Mainland Premier League - Round 9

Coastal Spirit 1 (Dominic McGarr) Cashmere Technical 2 (Lyle Matthysen 2)

FC Twenty11 3 (Conor Clarke, Ryan Nicholson, Callum Smith) Nomads 6 (Stephen Hoyle 3, Luke Petrie 2, Byron Heath)

Ferrymead Bays 3 (Michael White 2, Mark Peers) Selwyn 2 (Mitchell Cockburn, Dan Ede)

Nelson Suburbs 2 (Jordon Yong, Ben Wright) Universities 1 (Angus McCarthy) HT 1 - 0

ISPS Handi Chatham Cup - Premlinary Round

Burnham 1 (Chris Beckworth) Waimakariri 8 Danny Loney 5, Mitchell Quigley, Luke Fraser, Ben Hardie) HT 1 - 4

Blackwells Holden Reta Fitzpatrick Cup

Coastal Spirit 2 (Arna Roberts - pen, Cody Taylor) Cashmere Technical 1 (Monique Taylor) aet HT 0 - 0Bye - Halswell, Universities and Waimakariri