Cashmere Technical a win away from MPL Title and Hurley Shield on the Move

Cashmere Technical are now just a win away from claiming the Mainland Premier League (MPL) after defeating FC Twenty11 6 - 1 in the latest round. The Hurley Shield is on the move after Coastal Spirit edged holders Ferrymead Bays 1 - 0. Nomads continued on their winning way, accounting for Universities 6 - 3 with Nelson Suburbs denying Selwyn a point when scoring in added time to win 2 - 1.

With three rounds remaining Technical have 29, Coastal are now in second place with 22 and Suburbs moving to third on 21. Bays stay on 20, in fourth place. Nomads now have 18, with FC 10 with Selwyn and Universities both on 3.

Technical's unbeaten run continued when they racked up their sixth straight win when brushing aside FC. Tom Schwarz put the champions in waiting ahead early on before Conor Clarke levelled in the 13th minute. Daniel Thoms replied immediately to restore Tech's lead before Lyle Matthysen then added a third before Aaron Clapham scored from the penalty spot. After the break Matthysen added two late goals to complete his hat-trick.

In what turned out to be a game of missed opportunities, both Bays and Coastal would be disappointed that they failed to make the most of their scoring chances as the sides turned scoreless at the break.

The tight affair continued after the break, with both coaches going to their bench as they looked to break the dead lock. Chances continued to be wasted and just when it looked like both defences had won the day, Coastal were awarded a freekick just on the edge of the right-hand side of their penalty area.

With normal time almost up, Claudio Inzunza hit a superb dead ball that curled into the net to set up wild celebrations by the Coastal team. Bays could not find and equaliser in the short time that remained, the result seeing Bays handing over the Hurley Shield over having lifted the trophy off Coastal in round-four and they will have their first defence on Saturday against FC Twenty11. 

Nomads look at have cemented fifth place and entry into the South Island League on the back of their sixth win in eight rounds against Universities. The game was effectively over at half time with Nomads leading 5 – 2, Byron Heath securing his first MPL hat-trick and a double to Stephen Hoyle providing Nomads goals with Angus McCarthy increasing and Rodrigo Balcaraz replying for the students.

After the break Luis John added Universities third goal with Mason Stearn scoring his first goal MPL goal for Nomads

Ryan Stewart scored early to give Suburbs the lead over Selwyn with Dan Ede equalising in the 17th minute, his 79th MPL and now joins Keith Grosvenor in third place on the all-time MPL goal scoring list.

Suburbs then had a penalty saved before the reliable Ben Wright, who had come into the game off the substitute bench headed home in added time to deny what would have been a deserved point for Selwyn. The Stallions now face Parklands on Tuesday evening in the Blackwell's Holden English Cup.   

Technical go top as Waimak hold Coastal to a draw

Cashmere Technical moved to the top of the Women's Premier League (WPL) when putting Halswell to the sword in the second half to win 8 – 2, while at the same time across town, Coastal Spirit were being held to a 1 - 1 result against Waimakariri while Universities had the bye.

Technical now have 14 points, two ahead of Coastal with Waimak moving to 5, Universities have 4 and Halswell 3, with both Waimak and Universities have a game in hand.

In an even opening half, Technical's Jaimie Hawley opened the scoring, feeding off the scraps from a partial save, with Georgia Hemsley quickly replying for the Hawks after a poor clearance. Emma Kench then scored twice for Technical, the first coming from the penalty spot. Emma Cooper then pulled a goal back with a great finish just before the break.

Jonelle Arthur added the visitors fourth goal on the hour from long range, then Kench went on to bag her second four goal haul of the season with Monique Barker and Frankie Morrow adding the other goals. It was a game that never saw Technical hit their straps until the 60th minute, but once they settled into the work they looked like a team deserving of top-spot. The 3 yellow cards dished out, doubling the season tally in the WPL, the only blight on the fixture.

For just the second time in the WPL, Coastal recorded back-to-back draws. Arna Roberts put Coastal ahead in what turned out to the only goal of the opening half. Briar Guyan then saved a Coastal penalty and the scores were level when Gabi Rennie scored on the counter after the break.

Waimak, utilising Rennie’s pace had a great chance to take the game in the final moments, but the shot was hit straight at the Coastal keeper, when a square ball to an unmarked teammate may have been the better option. The result was the first time Coastal had dropped points to their rivals, though the draw enough to retain the Hawkey Shield.  

Halswell increase lead

Halswell have opened up a five-point gap at the top of the Canterbury Championship League (CCL) after they edged Burwood 3 - 2. Their closest rivals Western played out a 3 - 3 result against Christchurch United. The final game of the round saw Parklands winning away from home 3 - 2 at the expense of Waimakariri. Halswell now have 20 points, Western 15 with Parklands now on 11. Burwood have 9, United moving to 5 with Waimak on 4. 

Results / Scorers

Men's

Round 11 of 14

FC Twenty11 1 (Conor Clarke) Cashmere Technical 6 (Lyle Matthysen 3, Tom Schwarz, Daniel Thoms, Aaron Chapham - pen) HT 4 - 1

Ferrymed Bays 0 Coastal Spirit 1 (Claudio Inzunza) HT 0 - 0

Nelson Suburbs 2 (Ryan Stewart, Ben Wright) Selwyn 1 (Dan Ede) HT 1 - 1

Nomads 6 (Byron Heath 3, Stephen Hoyle 2, Mason Stearn) Universities 3 (Angus McCarthy, Rodrigo Balcaraz, Luis John) HT 5  - 2

Golden Boot

12 Stephen Hoyle (Nomads)

9 Anthony Jones (Coastal Spirit)

9 Dan Ede (Selwyn)

9 Lyle Matthysen (Cashmere Technical)

9 Nishan Biswa (Nomads)

7 Ben Wright (Nelson Suburbs)

6 Andy Tuckey (Cashmere Technical)

6 Byron Heath (Nomads)

6 Dominic McGarr (Nomads)

6 Mark Peers (Ferrymead Bays) 

6 Max Chretien (Cashmere Technical)

Women's

Round 7 of 15

Coastal Spirit 1 (Arna Roberts) Waimakariri 1 (Gabi Rennie) HT 1 - 0

Halswell 2 (Georgia Hemsley, Emma Cooper) Cashmere Technical 8 (Emma Kench 4 - incl pen, Jamie Hawley, Jonelle Arthur, Monique Barker, Frankie Morrow) HT 1 - 4  

Golden Boot

9 Cody Taylor (Coastal Spirit)

9 Emma Kench (Cashmere Technical)

6 Arna Roberts (Coastal Spirit)

5 Mel Cameron (Coastal Spirit)

3 Ashleigh Parent (Universities)

3 Frankie Morrow (Cashmere Technical)

3 Monique Barker (Cashmere Technical)