Chatham Cup – Round 2

We had three Central Federation teams involved in Round 2 action over the weekend with two picking up wins and advancing into Round 3. On Saturday Napier City Rovers AFC finally got their campaign on the way after having Byes in the first two rounds but needed extra time to overcome fellow Central League opponents Petone FC away on the Petone Memorial Park Turf. The scores were locked at 2-2 after a 90+1 minute penalty was awarded to Rovers which Liam Schofield converted, then Rovers went onto win 4-2 with two goals in the first period of extra time, Kieran McMinn got a consolation brace for Petone. Also on Saturday Federation League side PN Marist FC hosted Capital Premier side Island Bay United AFC on the Arena Manawatu Turf with Marist picking up a 4-3 victory thanks to two goals from Melvin Rumere with Henry Lenihan-Geels getting a double for Island Bay. The final match was played on Queen’s Birthday Monday at Wembley Park as Federation League leaders Whanganui Athletic went down 5-0 to Central League leaders Wellington Olympic AFC with Kailan Gould netting three goals all from the penalty spot.

Kate Sheppard Cup – Round 2

Our two Central Federation sides finally took the field over the weekend after both having Byes in the opening two rounds of the Kate Sheppard Cup. On Saturday two W-League sides went head to head with PN Marist FC winning 6-0 away to Victoria University at Boyd Wilson Park Turf thanks to doubles from Holly Kleinsman, Melissa McKenna and Aimee Sanson. On Sunday Federation League team NP Rangers AFC hosted 2^nd placed W-League side Waterside Karori at Merrilands Domain in Taranaki and went down 3-0 with Kaley Ward netting a brace but it was a solid showing from Rangers against tough opposition from a league above.

Women’s Federation Cup – Quarter Finals

With weather impacting all our Women’s Federation Cup match scheduled in Palmerston North on Sunday the Arena Manawatu came to the rescue and hosted two games. In the earlier kick off at Arena, Federation League side PN Marist managed to be too strong for Manawatu Premiership side North End Baby Blues who had come off beating Football Whanganui in the first round. Marist winning 5-1 but it took a late hat trick to Kirstin Shearer off the bench to confirm the result with Hannah Buzan getting an earlier brace. A late change saw Federation League Leaders Taradale AFC play Taranaki Premiership team Bullitt Fabrications Eltham AFC at the later kick off on the Arena Turf. It was always going to be a tough day at the office for Eltham but their team spirit is unmatched over all five Central Federation regions, the final score 31-0 to Taradale, Aleesha Heywood scoring nine goals, Cara O’Neill with five plus hat tricks to Milla Green and Holly Barclay. In the final match Federation League squad Isles Construction Massey University FC won 8-0 against Manawatu Premiership side Chillmax Takaro AFC X-Force with Kasey Cavell getting a triple and Lily Galloway a double. Unfortunately the last Quarter Final match was default by Havelock North Wanderers Village Insurance against Withers Coachlines Moturoa AFC.

Lotto Men’s Federation Cup – Quarter Finals

Manawatu hosted many games over the weekend in the National and Federation Cups with two more on Queen’s Birthday Monday in the region. At Arena Manawatu on the turf Taranaki Premiership side Peringa United just did enough to get passed the Pacific Premiership side Shani’s Taradale AFC 3-2 in the neutral venue match with Domenico Squatriti Jnr continuing his amazing scoring run recently by getting a brace for Peringa. Two late goals from Federation League side Turbine Residential Ltd North End AFC held their fort at Memorial Park by getting the 2-0 victory over Horizons Premiership league leaders teamlewis innovation Feilding United AFC in a hard fought battle. In the only other match played Napier City Rovers from the Federation League won at their home Bluewater Stadium 3-0 when hosting Horizons Premiership squad LongChill Takaro Jokers, Bradley Perks netting a brace in the win. Due to ground conditions at Childers Road in Gisborne the last Quarter Final match between ALH Gisborne Thistle and Heavy Equipment Gisborne United was postponed with a new date to be confirmed.

Lotto Men’s Central Federation League – Catch Up Games

Two catch up games in the Men’s Federation League were played on Saturday both in Palmerston North. Turbine Residential Ltd North End won the nine goal thriller Round 1 match 6-3 when hosting Alexander Electric Napier Marist at Memorial Park, Thomas Bell scored twice for North End with Liam Percy-Fysh from Marist also netting twice and he now leads the Golden Boot race by two goals on seven strikes. In the other match a hat trick from Benjamin Mori helped Isles Construction Massey University FC win the Round 3 catch up game 3-1 at home over ALH Gisborne Thistle. Massey and North End have now consolidated third and fourth on the table respectively and closed the gap on front runners Whanganui Athletic and PN Marist. 

YORB Pacific Premiership

It’s very tight at the top now. Shani’s Taradale Premiers have won at home 3-1 over Uptown Barbers Maycenvale to move into top spot on goal difference with 8 games played with 16 points. HNW Premiers vs Duke of Gloucester NCR was postponed. Havelock still have 16 points. Palm City Motor Inn Port Hill travelled to ALH Gisborne Thistle and grabbed valuable points in a 0-3 win which keeps them on 16 points with the two teams mentioned above. Rogue Hop Napier Marist vs Western Rangers Premiers was also postponed.

Key Match Next Round

Shani’s Taradale Premiers vs Rogue Hop Napier Marist

• An opportunity for Taradale to continue to build or Marist to get back in the race.

HB Reserve League

Falcon Electrical Taradale Reserves are the new leader of the Reserve League after a hard fought 2-1 win over LionPro Construction Maycenvale. Taradale now have a two point lead on their closest chaser but have played one game more. Maverick Residential Builders Havelock waited until the last kick of the game to nab a 1-1 draw at Guthrie over Thirsty Whale NCR. Eskview United went down at home 1-2 to Burger Fuel Port Hill. ECR Western Rangers had the bye.

Key Match Next Round

Eskview United vs LionPro Construction Maycenvale

• It looks like the battle for third sits here currently.

HB Division 2

Completebuild Taradale Vikings and Napier South have played out a 2-2 draw at Taradale Park. The result doesn’t do too much for either team in terms of bumping them up the table with Taradale now 5^th and Napier South sitting in 8^th place. Third place Burger Fuel Port Hill and second placed HNW Divas also played out a draw with a 1-1 score line in that match. HNW Arataki Honeybees vs Paddy’s Bar NCR was postponed. Westshore Beach Inn Scindians had the only win of the round in a 2-8 away win vs Hastings Hibernian Central Vikings.

Key Match Next Round

Paddy’s Bar NCR vs Burger Fuel Port Hill

• Normally a decent match when these two come together.

HB Division 3

Marewa United have leapfrogged Rescom Security Port Hill on the table with a 4-0 win in the Marewa derby. Eskview Reds are the now the league leaders with a solid 5-0 performance getting over Union Hotel Napier South. Eskview with 18 points on the table are only a point ahead. Bay Tours & Charters Napier Marist were in top spot but were held to a 3-3 draw by Hastings Hibernian Bare XI. Marist now need to settle for second place for now. Level on points with Marist is Gemco Western Rangers who had a comprehensive 0-12 win at Hastings Hibernian Development. Western Rangers Div3 didn’t have such a good day, going down 1-4 at home vs Maycenvale AFC Vikings.

Key Match Next Round

Gemco Western Rangers vs Hastings Hibernian Bare XI

• Two points separate these sides. Rangers have been in good form recently.

HB Masters

HNW Alessandro’s have had another game postponed. This time with Hastings Hibernian. Alessandro’s have only played four matches where others have had as many as eight. Keep an eye on them as there could be a rapid table climb down the track. Eskview Masters are sitting pretty at the top on a six point lead for now. Their latest result a 1-3 win at Taradale Masters. The Flax Western Rangers were convincing in their 6-1 win over Marewa, which has Rangers in 4^th. Napier Marist and HNW Mercenaries played out a 1-1 draw at Park Island. Paddy’s Bar NCR had the bye.

Key Match Next Round

HNW Mercenaries vs Taradale Masters

• Just a point separating these two.

HB Women’s Div1

Only one match in action this round with Steve Jude Motors Western Rangers taking on Quality Pumping Port Hill. The game ended in a 0-0 draw giving Port Hill their first point of the season. Taradale Reserves vs HNW Village Insurance was postponed due to Federation Cup and VJ Distributors Eskview had the bye.

Key Match Next Round

VJ Distributors Eskview vs Taradale Reserves

• Another tough test for Taradale

HB Women’s Div2

Only one match played in this competition as well over the weekend. That game was Taradale Women vs Eskview Whites with Taradale enjoying a 3-0 result and securing third position on the table. Burger Fuel Port Hill defaulted their match with Hastings Hibernian Paper Mulberry. HNW Loading Ramp vs Taradale Development was postponed. Thirsty Whale NCR had the bye.

Key Match Next Round

Burger Fuel Port Hill vs HNW Loading Ramp

HB Premier Knock Out Cup

Reserve League Eskview United have knocked over premiership side Jarks Ctiyside Western Rangers 2-1 to advance to the semi-finals of the Cup. There could be some wait before we find out who else will join Eskview for a number of reasons. Rogue Hop Napier Marist vs Falcon Electrical Taradale and Shani’s Taradale vs Uptown Barbers Maycenvale were postponed due to Taradale been involved in Federation Cup. In the only other game played, Palm City Port Hill and HNW Premiers were locked at 1-1 after 90 minutes and went to extra time. On completion of extra time with scores still locked it was determined penalties could not be taken due to poor light. Watch this space for an update as to how / when this will be resolved.

HB Holt Cup

Three of the quarter finals were postponed here. Those matches included Hastings Hibernian Central Vikings vs HNW Divas, HNW Razos Engineering vs Paddy’s Bar NCR D2 and Napier South vs Completebuild Taradale Vikings. In the only match played between Bay Tours & Charters Napier Marist and Burger Fuel Port Hill, an 89^th minute own goal was the difference sending Port Hill through to the semis.  

Article added: Wednesday 08 June 2022