Nomads sneak through to second round
Nomads United needed a late winner to avoid extra-time against lower ranked opponents in the first round of the Chatham Cup on Saturday.
Matches involving sides in the Canterbury region went as expected with none of the the second tier Championship teams upsetting Mainland Premier League opposition.
Christchurch United, who sit second in the Championship and have ambitions of returning to the MPL next season, came closest to causing a boilover against Nomads at English Park.
Nomads, who were promoted to the MPL for this season, needed a winner four minutes from time from former Canterbury United midfielder Andy Pitman to triumph 2-1.
After a scoreless first half, Nomads went ahead shortly after the interval through Ryan Batty. Their lead was shortlived with Christchurch United on level terms six minutes later, courtesy of a goal from Henry Finnis.
Pitman saved Nomads’ blushes and prevented the likelihood of extra-time and potentially penalties with his effort close to full-time.
Bottom placed MPL side Universities were forced to work hard to overcome Championship outfit, Waimak United, 3-1 at Kendall Park.
Waimak would have been optimistic of causing an upset after Hayden Sword equalised in the second half to make it 1-1.
The students stepped up when it mattered with two further strikes to move onto the second round.
Championship sides, Parklands United and Halswell United, played out a thriller at Parklands Reserve with the home side prevailing on penalties after it was tied after extra-time.
Kane Kilbride was the hero for Parklands, scoring with the final kick of extra-time to make it 1-1 and send the match to penalties, which they claimed 4-3.
Cashmere Technical, Chatham Cup winners in 2013 and 2014, had too much class for MPL strugglers Western, winning 3-1.
Tech took control of the game in the opening 20 minutes with Stu Kelly, who has rejoined the club from Ferrymead Bays, and talented youngster Lyle Matthysen both getting on the scoresheet.
In other matches, MPL leaders Ferrymead Bays comfortably accounted for Selwyn United, who sit top of the Championship division, 4-1.
Selwyn matched it with Bays in the first half, who took a 1-0 lead into halftime, thanks to a 40th minute finish from former Liverpool reserves player Mark Peers.
Nikolai Molijn bagged a late double for Bays, who will take confidence into their top of the table MPL clash against Tech this Saturday.
Coastal Spirit ran out 4-2 victors over FC Twenty11 in a battle of MPL sides at Avonhead Park.
Marlborough-based Central Pirates caused a surprise in the Mainland region, knocking over Nelson division one side, Richmond Athletic, 3-2.
In the opening round of the national women’s knockout competition, Emma Clarke and Britney-Lee Nicholson both grabbed a brace of goals as Coastal Spirit eased past Waimak 6-1.
FC Twenty11 moved onto round two after accounting for Universities 4-1.
Parklands’ forgettable season took another turn for the worse. After pulling out of the women’s MPL due to a shortage of players and some lopsided defeats, they were hammered 11-0 by Halswell, who compete in the second tier player development league (PDL).