Cashmere Technical doubled their lead at the top of the Mainland Premier League (MPL), when they overran second placed Ferrymead Bays 5 - 1 and are well on the way to a fifth title on eight seasons.

Coastal Spirit moved back into third place when accounting for Universities 4 - 0 as Nelson Suburbs dropped a place when going down to Nomads 2 - 1. Selwyn moved off the bottom of the table when earning a point, drawing 1 - all with FC Twenty11.

With four-rounds remaining until the revamped Southern Football League and the bottom three then battle it out to avoid relegation, Technical now have 26 points, six clear of Bays with Coastal on 19, Suburbs 18 and Nomads rounding out the top five on 15. FC have 10 with goal different putting Selwyn ahead of Universities at the foot of the table with both on 3.

In a total team performance, Technical scored five unanswered goals in a 40 minutes spell - to five different scorers. The first goal came after 25 minutes, defender Jordan Spain breaking down the right flank creating interplay with Andy Tuckey, before Spain crossed to Lyle Matthysen who found the back of the net.

Tuckey then doubled the lead minutes later with Sam Field adding a third before the break. Max Chretien showed his pace and skill when starting and finishing a move for the fourth goal, and Gary Ogilvie opened his MPL account for the season when completing the Tech scoring. Mark Peers pulling a goal back to the defending champions late in the game to deny Tech gloveman Danny Knight the clean sheet.  

In a game that saw plenty of chances, Nomads took the lead after 34 minutes - somewhat against the run of play - with a good run and finish to Byron Heath. On the stroke of half, Nomads doubled the lead when Stephen Hoyle looked to be well offside, so much so, that he hesitated expecting a flag before finishing in what was his tenth goal in the league this season.

After the break, Suburbs came out strongly and dominated for a period but could not find the back of the net, once hitting the woodwork. Nomads had several chances to wrap the game up before James Deehan finally scored for Suburbs, the goal coming too late in what was the final seconds of added time.     

In a tight opening half, Coastal went to the break ahead courtesy of a penalty to Anthony Jones. After the break Jones netted a second goal to close within one of Hoyle in the race to the Golden Boot, defender Dominic McGarr continuing his goal scoring run with a double, his fifth goal on the last three rounds.

Selwyn earnt a vital point when picking up their third home draw of the season. Dan Ede put the Stallions in front with a first half penalty with Conor Clarke levelling with around 15 to play. The result ends Selwyn's five game losing run and always continuing the quirky stat of scoring and conceding in all ten games this season. The draw - FC’s first of the season - may put an end to their hopes of finishing in the top five. 

The MPL now takes a break for a week due to a round of the ISPS Handa Chatham Cup.

In the Canterbury Championship League Halswell opened a three-point lead at the top of the table, when they edged Waimakariri 1 - 0 as second placed Western played out a 2 - 2 result away to Parklands. Christchurch United moved off the bottom of the table when securing their first win of the season 3 – 1 at the expense of Burwood.

Halswell have 17 points to Western's 14 with Burwood on 9, Parkland are on 8, with both United and Waimak on 4, but with a game in hand. Western now back up on Tuesday evening against St Albans Shirley in the Blackwells Holden English Cup. 

Top Two Draw Again

The top two sides in the Women's Premier League (WPL) could not be separated again, drawing 1 – 1 in their second successive deadlock in the competition.

Universities picked up their first three-pointer of the season when accounting for Halswell 3 - 0 with Waimakariri having the weekend off with the bye. Coastal and Technical top the table on 11 points, with Universities now in third place on 4 with same as Waimak - who have a game in hand over their rivals with Halswell now at the foot of the table on 3.

As expected the top-of-the-table clash was another tight affair, neither side able to gain any dominance for a length of time. After chances were missed at either end Monique Barker put Technical ahead late the first half. Cody Taylor extended her lead in the Golden Boot race when equalising on the hour mark, Taylor's ninth goal of the season. Several half chances failed to add to the score line with the draw probably a fair reflection on the play.

Like the men the league now takes a break due to cups games with the Kate Sheppard Cup, formerly the National Women's Knockout Cup getting underway around the country.

Results / Scorers

Mainland Premier League

Men's - Round 10 of 14

Cashmere Technical 5 (Lyle Matthysen, Andy Tuckey, Max Chretien, Sam Field, Gary Ogilvie) Ferrymead Bays 1 (Mark Peers) HT 3 - 0

Nomads 2 (Byron Heath, Stephen Hoyle) Nelson Suburbs 1 (James Deehan) HT 2 - 0

Selwyn 1 (Dan Ede - pen) FC Twenty11 1 (Conor Clarke) 1 HT 1 - 0

Universities 0 Coastal Spirit 4 (Anthony Jones 2 - inc pen, Dominic McGarr 2) HT1 - 0

Golden Boot

10 Stephen Hoyle (Nomads)

9 Anthony Jones (Coastal Spirit)
9 Nishan Biswa (Nomads)

8 Dan Ede (Selwyn)

6 Andy Tuckey (Cashmere Technical)
6 Ben Wright (Nelson Suburbs)
6 Max Chretien (Cashmere Technical)
6 Dominic McGarr (Coastal Spirit)
6 Lyle Matthysen (Cashmere Technical)
6 Mark Peers (Ferrymead Bays)

Women's - Round 6 of 15

Cashmere Technical 1 (Monique Barker) Coastal Spirit 1 (Cody Taylor) HT 1 - 0

Universities 3 (Ashleigh Parent 2, Konagh Garrett) Halswell 0 HT 1 - 0

Waimakariri - the bye

Golden Boot

9 Cody Taylor (Coastal Spirit)

5 Arna Roberts (Coastal Spirit)
5 Emma Kench (Cashmere Technical)

5 Mel Cameron (Coastal Spirit)

3 Ashleigh Parent (Universities)

2 Annalie Longo (Cashmere Technical)
2 Annie Gilchrist (Cashmere Technical)
2 Frankie Morrow (Cashmere Technical)
2 Jaya Stewart (Waimakariri)
2 Monique Barker (Cashmere Technical)