Time for the Contenders to Step Up!

Time for the Contenders to Step Up!

With the second full round of the Robbie’s Mainland Premier League (MPL) getting underway over the weekend, it is time for clubs to put in an unbeaten run if they want to be a top three contender.

The weekend starts with second placed Coastal Spirit playing Universities - currently in fourth position - at English Park on Friday evening at 7pm. Leader’s Cashmere Technical host third placed Nelson Suburbs at Garrick Memorial Park at 1pm. While at the same time Halswell face Ferrymead Bays at English Park, with Western entertaining FC Twenty11 at the same venue at 3pm.

Coastal, who are currently enjoying their best ever start to a MPL season are chasing their third win on the bounce, when they take on Universities. The varsity side surprisingly failed to pick up any points off Halswell on ANZAC Day, after winning against Western and Bays in the preceding weeks. In the opening clash between the two sides Coastal came from two goals down to earn a share of the points.

Round 8 fixtures has been a problem for both sides in the past with neither having secured a point.
Previous Head to Head: Played 7 – Coastal Spirit 4 Wins, Draws 2, Universities 1 Win
Form: Coastal Spirit W D W L W W Universities L D L W W L
Previous Result This Season: Universities 2 Coastal Spirit 2
Prediction: Draw

Suburbs will come south for this key clash short on strike power, with Ben Wright likely to be side lined for several weeks with a hamstring injury and Atkin Kaua missing the outing due to suspension.

The defending champions are starting to show the from that have won the last three titles, having not conceding in their last four games, however Suburbs have the best win record against them with two wins in Christchurch in the last two seasons.

Previous Head to Head: Played 13 – Cashmere Technical 7 Wins, Draws 2, Nelson Suburbs 4 Wins
Form: Cashmere Technical W W W W W W Nelson Suburbs D L W W W L
Previous Result This Season: Nelson Suburbs 3 Cashmere Technical 1
Prediction: Cashmere Technical Win

Halswell and Bays have similar records coming into this game, a win to either pushing them further away from the foot of the table. Halswell looked to have tightened up at the back after leaking 10 goals in rounds 4 and 5, and in Anton McMahon have one of the form goals scorers this season.

Bays finally found their scoring touch when putting four past Western on Monday with Andy Tuckey the first player to hit a hat trick this season and previous results to two should give Bays the edge.

Previous Head to Head: Played 37 – Halswell 9 Wins, Draws 7, Ferrymead Bays 21 Wins
Form: Halswell W D L L L W Ferrymead Bays L L W L L W
Previous Result This Season: Ferrymead Bays 3 Halswell 3
Prediction: Ferrymead Bays Win

Western come into their fixture four points adrift at the bottom and in danger of ending their ever present MPL status if they do not start securing goals and points.

After making a positive start to the season after gaining promotion, FC have dropped their last two games but a win could lift them into the top half of the table.

Previous Head to Head: Played 7 – Western 5 Wins, Draws 1, FC Twenty11 1 Win
Form: Western W L L L L FC Twenty11 D D L W L L
Previous Result This Season: FC Twenty11 3 Western 0
Prediction: FC Twenty11 Win

Predictions to Date: 53.7% (15 from 28)

Coastal To Stay On Top and Technical Out To Defend Shield

Leaders of the Robbie’s Women’s Premier League (WPL) Coastal Spirit travel across town to face Universities at Ilam Fields. Cashmere Technical defend the Hawkey Shield - for the first time - when the take on Waimakariri at Garrick Memorial Park, with the final game of the round seeing Parklands host FC Twenty11 at Parklands Reserve, all games kick off at 12:30pm - Tasman having the bye.

Coastal’s dominance over Universities looks set to continue with Universities still struggling after losing some key players this season and are yet to secure a point.

Coastal were too strong in the previous clash this season and will be chasing their third clean sheet on the trot.

Previous Head to Head: Played 19 – Universities 2 Wins, Coastal Spirit 19 Wins
Form: Universities L L L L L L Coastal Spirit W bye L W W W
Previous Result This Season: Coastal Spirit 6 Universities 1 Win
Prediction: Coastal Spirit Win

Technical have yet to drop a point this season - chasing their first WPL title - and were untroubled when defeating Waimak 12 – 2 in the first game of the season.

The young Waimak side quickly put this result behind them, racking up three successive wins which see them sit comfortable mid-table, and they are the only team to put the ball into the back of the Tech net.

Having lifted the Shield off FC in the last round Technical will be a short favourite to make a successful opening defence.

Previous Head to Head: Played 1 – Cashmere Technical 1 Win
Form: Cashmere Technical W W W W W Waimak bye L W W W L
Previous Result This Season: Waimak 2 Cashmere Technical 12
Prediction: Cashmere Technical Win

In what looks to be the closest game of the round Parklands face FC, both sides securing just three points in their last five game.

When the two meet on the opening night of the season they played out a scoreless draw, Parklands unlucky not to pick up the win and they will be out to make the most of their home advantage.

Form: Parklands L W L L bye L FC Twenty11 W L bye L L L
Previous Head to Head: Played 6 – Parklands 2 Wins, Draws 2, FC Twenty11 2
Previous Result This Season: FC Twenty11 0 Parklands 0
Prediction: Parklands Win

Predictions to Date: 66.6% (14 from 21)

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