Lotto Central Federation League – Round 1

We had two matches on Saturday to kick start our Lotto Central Federation League for 2023 and both ended in close 2-1 results. Thirsty Whale Napier City Rovers Feds celebrated their 50^th Anniversary with a 2-1 home win at Bluewater Stadium against newly formed team Bayleys Palmerston North United, Harry Mason and Jack Sanko scored for Rovers with Patrick Smither getting the consolation goal for United. Newly promoted team Shani’s Taradale AFC travelled to Arena Manawatu to take on Watson’s Integrity PN Marist FC and it was Taradale that also won 2-1 to make in a double for the weekend for Hawke’s Bay clubs over Manawatu ones. Zac Madsen plus Ayden Jones got the goals for Taradale with Dylan Bary knocking a late one in for Marist, ALH Limited Gisborne Thistle had the Bye in the opening round. 

Women’s Federation League – Round 1

We only had one match in the Women’s Federation League to open the season with and it was a Taranaki derby with Moturoa AFC Feds coming out on top 4-0 when they hosted ATLAS NP Rangers AFC. Fernando Toscani and Chantal Williams both getting braces for Moturoa while the match between Havelock North Wanderers Women’s Feds and Palmerston North United Women’s Feds was postponed with OneStaff PN Marist Women’s Reserves having the Bye.

Lotto Men’s Federation Cup – Round 1

Four Round 1 matches were needed in the Lotto Men’s Federation Cup that got played on Easter Monday. GJ Gardner Homes Whanganui Athletic Reserves won a seven goal thriller 4-3 when they hosted Palm City Motor Inn Port Hill United with Tre Dejohn netting a double for Athletic and Art Woodley-Hanan a double for United. A hat trick from Liam Percy-Fysh was the difference for Shani’s Taradale AFC as they defeated Rampage Fitness FC Western 5-2 at the neutral venue of Massey University with Ben Furze getting a consolation brace from the penalty spot for Western. LongChill Takaro AFC hosted Havelock North Wanderers Big Barrell Premiers at Ashhurst Domain and it was the home side of Takaro that ran out 4-2 winners with the goals being shared around. In the final game Pak n Save Tamatea Napier Marist won the local derby 2-1 over Jarks Cityside Western Rangers Premiers at Park Island with all the goals being scored early in the first half.

Article added: Wednesday 12 April 2023