Central League

Wellington Olympic secured a well-earned 1–0 victory over Napier City Rovers at Wakefield Park.

The breakthrough came early, with Davenport Petersen striking in the 9th minute to give Olympic the lead. From there, the home side managed the game well, showing composure in possession and resilience without the ball.

Napier looked to fight back, pushing numbers forward and creating a handful of half-chances, but Olympic’s defence stood strong and limited the visitors’ opportunities. In the second half, Olympic continued to threaten on the counter while keeping their defensive shape intact, ensuring the early goal would prove decisive.

It was a professional and disciplined performance, with three valuable points secured in front of the home crowd.

Results:

Napier City Rovers AFC – 0 Wellington Olympic – 1 (D.PETERSEN 9’)

Women’s Central League

A tense afternoon at Onuku Taipari Domain ended with both Excel Refrigeration Moturoa AFC and Kitchens By Healey Palmerston North United preserving their place in the competition after a hard-fought 1–1 draw. Due to results elsewhere both teams knew they had avoided relegation before the game started. Palmerston North United struck first through Shania McIntosh in the 39th minute. However, Moturoa responded almost instantly, with Anna Hinton equalising just a minute later, restoring belief and momentum heading into the break. The second half was a battle of determination and resilience. Moturoa leaned on their home advantage and defensive discipline, while Palmerston North United worked tirelessly away from home. But neither team could find the decisive goal to end their season with all 3 points.

Round ResultsExcel Refrigeration Moturoa AFC – 1 (Anna Hinton 40’)
Kitchens By Healey Palmerston North United – 1 (Shania McIntosh 39’) 

Alexia Stoddart Miramar Rangers AFC – 1 (Liv Donovan-Grammer 22’)
Wellington United Diamonds – 8 (Summer Laskey 1’, 35’, Hannah Pilley 25’, 75’,90’+2’, Farina Anchico 30’, Natalie Olson 45’+2’, 56’) 

MKM PN Marist FC – 0
Shadow Solutions Taradale AFC – 3 (Abby Winterburn 49’, 89’, Ruby Gilbertson 87’) 

Petone Powerex – 5 (Phoebe Gray 17’, 30’, Jazz Shailer 35’, Kate Marra 51’, Jessica Owens Blackmore 72’)
Victoria University Women’s – 0

Waterside Karori Middleware – 7 (Sherize Concessio 7’, Renee Bacon 16’, 64’, 87’, Amelia Abbott 23’, Samantha Senior 60’, Isabella Ismail-Sanders 76’)
Wellington Phoenix U18 Academy – 2 (Matilda Smith 13’, Maisy McDonald 71’) 

2025 Women’s Fed Cup Quarter Finals

Mark Boys Builders Eskview Blues booked their place in the semi-finals of the Women’s Federation Cup with a hard-fought 2–1 extra-time victory over Goodmans Port Hill Women’s Prems. After a tight first half, Eskview edged in front through Nancy Reed in the 59th minute, but Port Hill hit back quickly with Abigail Kilkolly levelling on 65 minutes to set up a tense finish. Neither side could find a breakthrough in regulation time, sending the tie into extra time. The decisive moment came in the 105th minute, when Abi Fitzgerald struck for Eskview, giving her side the lead once more. Despite late pressure from Port Hill, the Blues held firm to secure progression. The result means Eskview advance to face Napier City Rovers in one semi-final, while NP Rangers meet Whanganui Athletic in the other, setting up two enticing clashes as the competition reaches its final four.

Round ResultsGoodmans Port Hill Women’s Prems – 1 (Abigail Kilkolly 65’)
Mark Boys Builders Eskview Blues – 2 (Nancy Reed 59’, Abi Fitzgerald 105’) 

GJ Gardner Homes Whanganui Athletic Women – 4 (Stella Warner 8’, 84’, Sara Hills 52’, Kaitlin Ahonen 65’)
Kellett Thistle – 0

Thirsty Whale NCR Women’s Div 1 – 6 (Casey Ralph 3’, 38’, 57’, 90’, Own Goal 21’, Alex Simons 60’)
Gisborne Laundry Service Wainui Riverina – 1 (Hollie Elliott 13’) 

Central Business Innovation NP Rangers Women’s 1st’s – 3 (Default Win)
Isles Construction PN Marist Women’s Reserves – 0

Pelosi Cup

Congratulations to RSM Wrinklies for winning the 2025 Pelosi Cup.

The Pelosi Cup Final delivered a tense battle, with RSM Wrinklies claiming a 2–0 win over league champions SUBWAY Massey University FC Good Guys. For long stretches the match was evenly poised, with both sides working hard to find a breakthrough. The Good Guys, who had beaten the Wrinklies in all their league meetings this season, looked set to take the game into extra time before the contest swung late on. In the 86th minute, Sam Lee finally broke the deadlock, sparking the Wrinklies into life. As the Good Guys pushed numbers forward in search of an equaliser, space opened, and Logan Amey struck deep into stoppage time (90’+6) to seal the result. It was a night that showed the unpredictability of knockout football — the Wrinklies turning league form on its head to lift the Cup, while the Good Guys’ strong season ends with the league title but frustration in the final.

Bill Dyer Trophy

Congratulations to The Mad Butcher Takaro AFC Fury for winning the 2025 Bill Dyer Trophy.

 The Bill Dyer Trophy Final delivered an exciting contest as The Mad Butcher Takaro AFC Fury narrowly defeated North End Vets 4–3 in a thrilling, high-scoring encounter. From the outset, both sides played with intensity, creating numerous chances and keeping the scoreline tight. The Vets responded well to Fury’s early strikes, matching them goal for goal and ensuring the outcome remained uncertain until the final minutes. As the match reached its climax, Fury managed to find the decisive edge, holding on despite the Vets’ late pressure. The seven-goal thriller highlighted the attacking quality of both teams and the competitive spirit that defined the final. For Fury, the win crowned a strong campaign with the Bill Dyer Trophy, while the Vets can take pride in pushing their opponents all the way in a memorable final.

Manawatu Division 3

In this week's game of the round, we had Groombridge Electrical Feilding Utd C Team taking on Takaro AFC Bua United. Groombridge Electrical Feilding Utd C Team and Takaro AFC Bua United played out a hard-fought 1–1 draw, with both sides sharing the spoils in an evenly contested match. Takaro AFC Bua United opened the scoring in the 30th minute through Javed Khan, putting the visitors ahead early. Feilding Utd responded after the interval, with Liam Ryan leveling the score in the 60th minute, ensuring neither side could find a winner. The match was characterized by competitive midfield battles and moments of attacking flair from both teams. In the end, the draw reflected the balance of the contest, with both sides able to take positives from their performance.

PN Marist Park Rangers 3 (Zach Murray 36’, Jani Shofi 45+2’, Joel Thompson 77’)

CAC PN Marist Greenies 0

DSC Vikings (Win by Default)

SUBWAY Massey University FC Rigs

Manawatu Division 4

In this week's game of the round, we had PN Marist Rewa taking on Watson Integrity PN Marist Celts. PN Marist Rewa and Watson Integrity PN Marist Celts played out an exciting 5–3 contest, with the Celts ultimately coming out on top in a high-scoring encounter. PN Marist Rewa opened the scoring through Kurtis Edwards in the 20th minute, but the Celts responded quickly, with Ronin Coppins equalising in the 35th minute. The Celts then took the lead in the second half, with Abdullah Mustafa finding the net in the 54th minute. Edwards pulled one back for Rewa in the 81st minute, but the Celts had already built enough momentum to secure the win, adding further goals to finish the match 5–3. The match featured attacking flair from both sides and kept spectators on edge throughout, with goals coming at regular intervals and momentum shifting back and forth. In the end, the Celts’ ability to respond and maintain pressure proved decisive.

DSC Rangers 2 (Goal scorers Unknown)

Post Office Hotel Pahaitua FC 2 (Goal scorers unknown)

Chillmax Takaro AFC Glory 2 (Samuel Shirriffs 35’, Bailey Wynd 90’)

RSM Hustlers 1 (David Burrows 16’)

McDonalds Feilding Utd Development 4 (Kayden Mills 2’, 84’, Michael Sandbrook 46’, Jackson Cree 72’)

Takaro Awatapu United 2 (Flynn Lees Galloway 1’, Gordy Brown 55’ (OG))

RSM Legends 2 (Samuel Hill 49’, Jason Baylis 68’)

Levin AFC Social 4 (Wilson Palacio Montano 11’, Daniel Cortes 24’, Marco Duvan Iter Mestizo 30’, Jonothan Duvan Caicedo Murillio 80’)

Manawatu Masters

In this week's game of the round, we had O’Briens Plumbing & Bathroomware Feilding United Masters taking on MKM PN Marist Shamrock Rovers. O'Briens Plumbing & Bathroomware Feilding United Masters secured a 3–1 victory over MKM PN Marist Shamrock Rovers in a competitive encounter. The scoring opened early when Grant Rudman inadvertently gave the Masters the lead with an own goal in the 10th minute. Feilding United doubled their advantage in the 21st minute through Correy Kotuhi, before Luke Groombridge extended the lead in the 58th minute. The Shamrock Rovers pulled one back late in the 77th minute via Matthew Vangioni, but the Masters held on to claim the win. The match showcased attacking intent from both sides, with Feilding United capitalising on key moments to secure the victory. The Shamrock Rovers fought hard, but were unable to close the gap in the closing stages.

PN Marist Banshees 2 (Roger OLIVEIRA 15', Darryl NEWSOME 85)

Sportz Bar Whanganui Athletic Cosmos 0

RSM A’s 7 (Luke FULLARD 1', 63', Guy MORDAUNT 31', David BOYACK 58', Ian ROBINSON 69', 80', Ryan COOMBES 77')

Wanganui Marist Wanderers 0

Levin AFC Masters 6 (Samuel MCINTYRE 44', 65', 75', Jay WEHIPEIHANA 58', Brent TUCKER 60', Lex VAN ECHTEN 87')

JRM Automotive PN Marist Dunshaegans 1 (Alex Gaskell 43’)

Advanced Accounting Takaro AFC Rebels 9 (Pra THAPA 11', Josh DRAPER 15', 58', 70', 90', Wayne PARKER 25', Gavin EADES 55', Ben PRESCOTT 81', Damian SCHILLING 89')

RSM Old Boys 0

Article added: Tuesday 02 September 2025