This year’s segment proudly has a new sponsor, and we are delighted to have Ian and Jess onboard.

Here’s my ramblings of what went on in game day 21 around the Manawatu.

Women’s Federation League

Our Women’s Federation League Champions have finally been crowned and it’s OneStaff PN Marist who finished the job on Sunday after a gruelling 20 round campaign where no clear leader emerged throughout the year. This was set up last Wednesday night where they defeated Isles Construction Massey University FC 4-1 in the top of the table clash at Arena Manawatu thanks to a brace from Jessie Falloon. It mean all that was needed was a point on Sunday when they faced McGhie Football Whanganui at Wembley Park but they won the league in style winning 3-1. To cap things off Hannah Buzan from Marist finished the season as the Golden Boot winner with 17 goals two clear of Holly Kleinsman from NP Rangers. In the other match played on Sunday Taradale AFC hosted Massey and with the game locked at 2-2, three goals in the last three minutes caused drama to end the season for both teams. Elizabeth Dombroski stepped up as the hero getting two of the late goals to claim the win for Massey 4-3.

Fantastic Feilding United do the double! After claiming the YORB Horizons Premiership the Feilding United side looked determined to do the double. On a fabulous day in Palmy at Memorial Park Feilding would go and just do exactly that. The Takaro side put up a gallant fight to try and contain the juggernaut that has been Feilding United this year, but there was no stopping them. Goals change games and Feilding slotted home their chances when it mattered the most. Congratulations to both teams for making the final of the Easter Cup.

Manawatu Division 2 

PN Marist Inter clinch the Manawatu division 2 title on the last day of the season. After having played an extra game going into COVID Inter faced a nervous weekend on the 18^th waiting for the results to be posted. Levin AFC Sports got the points they required to take the league into a deciding match on the closing day. The game was fiercely competed by both teams but Inter had the big match experience that saw them take the final game 3-1 and the league title. 3 seasons, 3 titles can anyone stop them?

Manawatu Division 3 

In Manawatu division 3 the classy Levin Colts side game league winners PN Marist Jesters a guard of honour before the match. Jesters had secured the league title the previous week and the young Levin side showed the highest levels of sportsmanship prior to the game. That said, that’s where the friendliness stopped as the young Colts side went on to roll Jesters 8-1. I have no doubt that this Levin side is one to watch for the future and could/should be playing higher next season. Great ambassadors for the club.

Manawatu Division 4 

In the Nielsen Cup final PN Marist Park Rangers looked to do the league and Cup double when the hosted Pahiatua FC at Celaeno Park. The beautiful game was played in the greatest of spirits with both teams eager to end the season in a high. On the day Park Rangers had enough quality and composure to get the job done to secure the double in their inaugural year. Massive shoutout to Pahiatua FC who came back into the league this year after COVID saw them unable to participate in 2020.

Team Robinson Manawatu Women’s Premiership 

North End Baby Blues secure a double as they defeated PN Marist Mayhem on Sunday at Memorial Park. A game that was filled with quality and excitement saw North End cap off a fantastic season winning the Tingey Cup. The marvellous Mariah Carlyle put in another impressive shift with wide player Axel Oswald causing Mayhem all sorts of issues. Mayhem themselves created more than enough opportunities with Ash Hurley working tirelessly for the Marist side. However the telling difference was Cup MVP (well for me anyhow) Sarah Swinbanks whose composure at the back and runs into midfield were a pleasure to watch. Congratulations to both teams for making the final, you put on a hell of a game to sign the season off with.

Manawatu Women’s Championship 

Linton FC Women take Tingey Plate in their inaugural season. Having narrowly defeated Takaro the previous weekend in a penalty shootout Linton were pushed all the way my a tenacious Dannevirke Valkyrie side.

 Both teams had 12 players each at the start of the game as the COVID break had depleted their resources. Linton got off to a flyer scoring in the 8^th minute and doubled that in the 41^st when Charlie Hunt scored. The impressive multi-code representative Kasey McKenna scored DSC goal and it was a close battle from there on out. The deciding strike came when Stacey Cottle slotted Linton’s third in the 78^th minute. Congratulations to both sides for giving it your absolute all.

Article added: Tuesday 28 September 2021