Lotto Central Federation League

In the Match of the Round GJ Gardner Homes Whanganui Athletic continues to remain undefeated at the top of the table with a 5-0 win when hosting Levin AFC at Wembley Park, Joshua Smith netting twice for Athletic. A brace from Melvin Rumere has helped Watson Integrity PN Marist FC win the Manawatu derby over Turbine Residential Ltd North End AFC with the win keeping Marist in second on the ladder. Alexander Electric Napier Marist travelled to take on Isles Construction Massey University FC and went home back to the Hawke’s Bay with a hard fought 2-1 victory. In the final match Napier City Rovers were too strong at Bluewater Stadium for ALH Gisborne Thistle winning 6-0 with the goals all being shared around.

Women’s Federation League

Matariki Friday saw the completion of the Round 1 catch up game between Isles Construction Massey University FC and Team McGhie Football Whanganui with Massey coming through as winners 3-0. Both teams were back in action again Sunday as home teams but it was a tough day at the office for Whanganui as they lost 10-1 to Taradale AFC thanks to four goals from Aleesha Heywood plus doubles to Jamie Evans and Milla Green. In the other match Massey also found it hard backing up as they went down to NP Rangers AFC 3-1 with PN Marist FC having the Bye over the weekend.

YORB Pacific Premiership

There was a tough battle on show for the sides at the foot of the table as Duke of Gloucester NCR hosted ALH Thistle Reserves. The game didn’t disappoint with the evenly contested affair going all the way to the end. James Redman had Rovers ahead at the beginning of the second half before an 86^th minute penalty was converted by the experienced Dave Ure for Gisborne Thistle. The match ending with the points shared 1-1.

We have a new leader at the top of the table. That leader on goal difference is now Uptown Barbers Maycenvale Utd, with other results falling their way and a convincing 0-4 away win over Rougue Hop Napier Marist has put them top. The other results now mean we have five teams in touching distance of each other chasing the spot Maycenvale now sit in. Shani’s Taradale now second in the ladder on goal difference after been knocked off their perch in a 6-3 loss to HNW Premiers, who are now only one point back. Two points back from there sit Palm City Motor Inn Port Hill who were beaten at home 2-3 by Jarks Cityside Western Rangers. Although on 17 and 16 points respectively, Port Hill and Rangers both have two games in hand which could be vital for these sides.

Key Match Next Round

Palm City Motor Inn Port Hill vs Uptown Barbers Maycenvale

• A tough encounter for both sides.

HB Reserve League

Thirsty Whale NCR were made to work hard by an Eskview Utd side who were up for the game vs the league leaders. Rovers will stay there for at least one more week as they secured a 2-0 win. Burger Fuel Port Hill had a convincing 7-1 win against ECR Western Rangers. Paul Driver and Alastair McLeod with doubles for Port Hill. Nat Wright was on target with a hattrick for second places Falcon Electrical Taradale in their away win 3-8 vs Maverick Residential Builders Havelock. LionPro Construction Maycenvale had the Bye.

Key Match Next Round

Thirsty Whale NCR vs Falcon Electrical Taradale

• This is going to be one big match with the sides a point apart.

HB Division 2

Westshore Beach Inn Scindians have jumped into fourth and leapfrogged Napier South in the process by beating them at Marewa Park 3-4. Still way out in front are Paddy’s Bar NCR who now have a 14 point lead at the top. NCR convincingly won over second place (before kick-off) HNW Divas 7-1 to increase the gap. Burger Fuel Port Hill have won at home 3-1 vs Completebuild Taradale Vikings to sit third on the ladder. HNW Arataki Honeybees have nestled into second on 16 points with a hard fought 2-1 against Hastings Hibernian Central Vikings.

Key Match Next Round

Burger Fuel Port Hill vs HNW Arataki Honeybees

• Third vs Second

HB Division 3

Kieren Young and Robert Bower were on target for Hastings Hibernian Bare XI in their 2-2 draw with Marewa United. Paddy’s Bar NCR were well on target in a 9-0 result vs Hastings Hibernian Development. Union Hotel Napier South were undone by 4^th place Maycenvale Utd Vikings in a 1-4 loss. Goals by Michael Heron and Sanjeesh Prasaad got the job done for Rescom Security Port Hill in a 2-0 vs Western Rangers D3. Bay Tours & Charters Napier Marist are top for now after a convincing 9-2 victory over HNW Razos Engineering. Gemco Western Rangers vs Eskview Reds was postponed and will be played this week. That will be the last match before the league splits into the top six / bottom six competitions to complete the season.

Key Match Next Round

Gemco Western Rangers vs Eskview Reds

• The last match to finish before the split. One of these sides could be league leaders after the match.

HB Masters

The Flax Western Rangers have moved within a point of Hastings Hibernian following a convincing 0-7 win over the side. Eamonn Corbett with four for the Rangers. Maybe the biggest result of all leagues for the weekend is Eskview’s 2-0 win vs HNW Alessandro’s to hand them their first loss of the season. Eskview hold onto a seven point lead at the top currently. Taradale Masters lost at Taradale Park vs Marewa Utd in a 1-3 game. There was a tight encounter on Bond Field with Napier Marist edging Paddy’s Bar NCR 4-3. HNW Mercenaries had the bye.

Key Match Next Round

Paddy’s Bar NCR vs Taradale Masters

• A battle at the bottom.

HB Women’s Division 1

Quality Pumping Port Hill have their first win of the season under their belts. Played on Matariki Friday, the catch up match vs second placed HNW Village Insurance went the way of Port Hill will a 5-3 score line including a Caitlyn Turner double. Havelock had to recover quickly to play their next match two days later and had something to smile about becoming the first side to take points off leaders VJ Distributors Eskview Blues. Nicole Bidart was on target for Havelock in the 84^th minute to give Havelock a share of the points in a 1-1 draw. The final match of the round between Steve Jude Motors Western Rangers and Taradale Reserves ended with the same 1-1 result as the other match with Maddy Hughes and Hollie Gee the scorers for each side.

Key Match Next Round

Steve Jude Motors Western Rangers vs HNW Village Insurance

• A tough match here for both sides.

HB Women’s Division 2

Taradale Women were narrowly beaten at home by Hastings Hibernian Paper Mulberry 1-2. The result means Hibs have jumped Taradale into second on the ladder with Taradale back in third now. Taradale Development remain in top spot but had to settle for a default 3-0 win as Thirsty Whale NCR had to pull out of their match with the Development side. Eskview Whites had the biggest result of the weekend with a 4-0 win over HNW Loading Ramp.

Key Match Next Round

Taradale Women vs HNW Loading Ramp

• Only three points separate the teams on the table.

Article added: Tuesday 28 June 2022