Semi-Final Spots Up For Grabs

Cashmere Technical and Nelson Suburbs face Auckland opposition in their quarter-final ties in the ISPS Handa Chatham Cup on Sunday. Technical travel north to play Manukau United on Saturday at 2pm at Centre Park and, on Sunday, Suburbs have the home advantage against East Coast Bays at 2pm.

Manukau, led by former All White coach Kevin Fallon, are eighth in the highly competitive Northern Premier League (NPL) just five points behind leaders Birkenhead United but have two games in hand. Technical are unbeaten in all competitions this season but will have to turn on a full 90-minute performance if they wish to continue their quest for a second successive cup semi-final. 

The Technical defence will have to keep Manukau’s Sanni Issa in check. The 26-year-old has scored 14 of his side’s 38 NPL goals and currently heads the race for the Golden Boot.

Suburbs will equally have to be at their best when they take on another of the NPL’s top sides East Coast Bays. The Auckland outfit had one of their best results in recent weeks over the weekend, defeating Manukau 6 – 2 away from home. 

Suburbs struggled to find the back of the net early in the season but in the last two rounds of the South Island League have scored six times, however they will go into the tie without Jordan Young who is suspended. 

The two sides have met once before in the cup, back in 2008, when East Coast Bays won 2 – 1 on their way to lifting the historic trophy. 

Reta Fitzpatrick Final Beckons

The semi-finals of the Blackwell’s Holden Reta Fitzpatrick Cup will be held on Saturday with current holders Coastal Spirit hosting Universities at English Park at 12:30pm and, at midday, Halswell face Waimakariri at Halswell Domain. 

Coastal are looking to complete back-to-back league and cup doubles, but it will not be easy with Universities ending their unbeaten run in the Women’s Premier League last Saturday with a 2 – 1 win. 

Coastal won this season’s first encounter between the two sides 4 - 1 and the points were shared in their most recent clash when the two played out a 1 – 1 result. 

For various reason’s Coastal go into the semi with a depleted squad and will be hoping on the fitness of several players so they can have reserves on the bench. Universities have never lifted the cup before, but will fancy their chances after their win last Saturday.

Waimakariri will be warm favourites to account for Halswell and reach their first final of ‘The Reta’. In the league, Waimak scored three straight wins over the Hawks, 4 – 2, 3 – 0 and 10 – 0, with the last result coming at the Nest in early July.

Qualifying Series Continues

The Mainland Premier Qualifying League (MPQL) continues with FC Twenty11 hosting Universities at Avonhead Park at 2:45pm on Saturday. Selwyn have the bye.

This is the third time the two sides have met in the MPQL - FC won both the previous encounters 2 – 1 and 4 – 1. The latest game was played under lights at Avonhead Park on Tuesday evening. FC led by one goal at the break before opening up a four-goal lead. Universities replied deep in added time but it was too little too late. 

FC’s Mainland Premier League status for 2019 has been assured for several weeks but they will be out to maintain their unbeaten run. Universities will be looking to cause an upset in their quest to avoid relegation.

Form: FC W W W W              Universities L L W L Previous MPQL Results This Season: Universities 1 FC 2       FC 4 Universities 1

Article added: Friday 03 August 2018