NZFF

1979

26 November 2023
The second leg of the Oceania Cup is a one-sided affair as Dunedin United crush Suva 8-1 in Dunedin to qualify for the Intercontinental Cup. Gael scores a hat-trick, Vestergaard and de Havilland are on the score sheet again and Callaghan comes back into the team to score twice. A header from de Havilland opens the scoring, Gael gets the second, although his strike is deflected off Goundar, and it's three at half-time when Gael, unmarked, heads home a corner. The goals continue to flow in the second half but Suva's Drudru gets a warm ovation from the Dunedin crowd when he scores a superb 71st minute consolation goal for the visitors.

19 November 2023
Dunedin United have de Havilland and Vestergaard back from long term injury and they combine to save the Steels' blushes in a 2-2 draw in Suva in the first leg of the Oceania Cup. United make all the running but the home side soak up the pressure and nearly take a first half lead when Rotidara is narrowly ruled offside. In the space of two minutes, just on the hour, Dunedin take the lead, de Havilland's scorcher from thirty yards opening the account with Vestergaard volleying home a second. But Suva come back, Rotidara scoring with an excellent strike and Hughes making it 2-2 with a curling free kick three minutes before the end. Eagleton, Guildea and Shirley all pick up bookings which means they will miss the second leg in Dunedin but Veksi will be back in the Steel's lineup.

12 November 2023
With both sides already qualified, there is a carnival atmosphere to the final Gold Cup qualifier as New Zealand take on Uruguay in Wellington. Robin Gates makes one change to his team, Zinzani coming in for Breck, and the visitors open the scoring through Torres in the seventh minute. It's all square at half time though, after defender Curt Jekkers scores his second goal in as many games, driving home Reid's cross. Two goals in two minutes kill off the match as a competition just after the break, Kristensen diving low to head home a poor clearance from Bueno and Sheehan diving in to blast home from close range following good buildup work from Keogh. With ten minutes to go, Sheehan breaks through on the right and turns the defence to score a delightful fourth but Uruguay have the last word, Nandex shooting low and hard and seeing the despairing Keogh turn the ball past Ryder. In Group Two, Sweden beat Austria to edge ahead of their rivals and claim second place behind Serbia while in Group Four, France survive a 3-0 home loss to the Netherlands to qualify after Costa Rica can only draw in Sydney. In Group SIx, Belgium, who had been touted as potential cup winners, lose at home to the Czech Republic and must now play in the pre-qualifying groups for the 2027 competition. Germany crash 3-0 in Croatia in Group Seven, but still go through as Peru are held at home by South Korea.

5 November 2023
New Zealand's Gold Cup qualifying campaign moves to Christchurch with a 3-2 win over Ukraine. Defender Kurt Jekkers scores his first international goal to open the scoring, with Mykolenjo equalising with a long range header. Just after the break, Svatok goes in late on Sheehan who converts a penalty and it's 3-1 when Zinzani scores just a minute after coming on to replace Breck. Zinchencko volleys home a second for the visitors just before the end. Uruguay beat Nigeria 5-2 to finish second behind New Zealand in the group and Serbia, Brazil, Croatia, Netherlands, Italy and Turkiye also join the list of countries qualified for the finals. The biggest shock is in Group Three where Argentina follow their home loss to Turkiye with a 3-0 defeat in Morocco which allows the Turks into the finals ahead of the South Americans.

29 October 2023
New Zealand qualify for the Gold Cup finals in Japan with two games to spare, finishing top of Group Five after Nathan Sheehan's stunning sixth minute strike gives the team a 1-0 victory in Montevideo. Araujo and Rodridgues both have good chances to get the home side back into the game but New Zealand's unchanged team looks comfortable at the back and Jekkers and Merrick soak up all the pressure. Chile, Denmark and England are also among the first nations to qualify; neither Chile nor Denmark can be caught at the top of Group One but there is a shock in Group Three as Argentina drop out of second place following a surprise home loss to Turkiye. England win in Brussels, which seriously damages Belgium's chances of catching Brazil.

1978

22 October 2023
New Zealand's Gold Cup campaign is back on track following a satisfying 3-0 win over Portugal in Auckland. Robin Gates fields an unchanged team and is rewarded with an excellent all round performance. Leao has a couple of early chances but Ryder is equal to them and New Zealand come close when Rojas nearly opens the scoring on the half hour, Patricio just getting his fingers to the striker's header. But there's no stopping Rojas just after the break when he rounds Dalot to put a powerful shot into the top corner and Sheehan makes it 2-0 with a fabulous drive from thirty yards out, with half an hour remaining. Breck has an excellent chance, hitting the crossbar and Sheehan has a second superb drive ruled out for offside but Keogh completes the scoring, flicking Reid's cross into the top corner.

15 October 2023
Masterton Rangers win the New Zealand Cup for the first time, totally overwhelming Whangarei City in the 75th final. Rangers dominate from the kick off, despite having Dewey Menzies booked for a lunge at Ray Salmon in the opening minutes. Fontaine, Kilkey and Zinzani all have chances with Fontaine breaking the deadlock in the 39th minute, latching on to a through ball from Zinzani to open the scoring. Kilbey's cross is then lofted home by Menzies and Elrich is first to a loose ball, driving home past Barboa just before the break to effectively kill the game off at 3-0. Whangarei give themselves a lifeline in the 54th minute when Marius takes advantage of Calhoun's indecision to rob him and score but Masterton stay on top and Fontaine scores a scrappy fourth after a vigorous goalmouth tussle. Golden Boot winner Alexander Zinzani has a late chance to score a fifth but is brilliantly tackled by Madrussen, who then prevents Holmes also adding to the scoreline. But it's no great concern to the Wairarapa club who soon celebrate their first major trophy victory. The Masterton club had previously appeared in one other New Zealand Cup final, in 1980, while Whangarei, the 2017 winners, were appearing in their third final - their fifth altogether - in seven years.

10 October
Dunedin United are champions, finally breaking their long winless streak to finish three points ahead of East Wellington and secure their second title in three years. The Steels join Auckland United as six time winners of the NPL (1996-2023). The title is their seventh Premier League title and their ninth overall and comes after Dimas, Pravan and Westerman score to secure a 3-2 win over Timaru. The South Cantabrians are trailing 3-0 after half an hour but a second half comeback, in which Welsh scores twice, threatens to derail Dunedin's momentum - but they hold on. The win means that East Wellington have to put seven past West Wellington but instead they fall 3-1 at home. There's other good news for the Steels - with the Oceania Cup still six weeks away, they expect to have Eagleton, de Havilland and Vestergaard, who have missed the entire second half of the season, back in the team as they attempt to qualify for the Intercontinental Cup. Auckland United beat New Plymouth 3-0 to secure third place and threaten the Mariners with the drop but they stay up. Whangarei can save themselves at New Plymouth's expense, if they win at Christchurch Avon, but they don't come close, crashing 7-1 and ensuring their return to the Northern League. Allesandra's 41st minute goal gives Wanganui a 1-0 win over Swiftfield and keeps them in fourth place, ahead of Northway Athletic. Western Suburbs' Brazilian striker Ziljano scores against Northern Suburbs and wins the Archer Award for League Matches - scant compensation for the Emerald's disappointing season. Gabriel Trophy winners Stelta Forest complete an unbeaten Regional Championship run with a 1-0 win at Nelson to return to the Premier League after three years in the Eastern League. Meadowbank also return to the top flight, after a five year absence, their win in Invercargill denying promotion to Nelson.
LEADERBOARD:
Archer Award (All Games) - Nathan Sheehan (Christchurch Avon, 2065 pts)
Archer Award (League) - Ziljano (Western Suburbs, 1650 pts)
Fair Play League (League) - East Wellington United, 687 pts
Golden Boot - Alexander Zinzani (Masterton Rangers), 34

1 October 2023
West Wellington United win their second League Cup, and their first since 2003, holding on grimly to beat a determined Western Suburbs after the Emeralds stage a strong second half comeback. The Arrows are without Ambersold and Kelefios, both suspended, but 35 year old Ashley Tui is named in the starting lineup and has a splendid game, scoring the opening goal, shooting home from close range in just the second minute. Wolesome later hits the post, with Falconi beaten but Senna makes it two, chipping the defence just before the break. The massed ranks of green are silenced in the 57th minute when Delrany is first to a Beckett cross, heading home a third but Suburbs then begin the comeback, starting with a Ziljano penalty after Keogh breaks through and is brought down by Ellecio. An expert chip from Neil Frost curls past Slater and it's suddenly 3-2, but West Wellington hold on and Suburbs are unable to get the game-saving third goal.

30 September 2023
Favourites Stelta Forest take a break from the Regional Championship to win the Gabriel Trophy at Tamaki. It's the Rotorua club's first GT title but Wainuiomata make them fight all the way. Wainui make all the early running, despute Arthur Wells hitting their crossbar in the 14th minute, and Martin Garrod's volley on 24 minutes puts them in front. Just before halftime, Eric Jackson comes up for a corner and equalises for Forest and although Wainui start the second half well, Arjay Shinatra hitting the post with a venomous shot that beats Stroud, Forest gradually take control. An inspired substitution makes all the difference; Gary Seed replaces Ryan Dunsford in the 78th minute and, three minutes later, Seed scores the winner, chesting down a high ball from Charlton and volleying it past the unsighted Rhys Grable.

24 September 2023
Dunedin United's Premier League lead, which looked unassailable a month or two ago, is gone. The Steels lose again, their seventh in a row without a win, going down 4-3 in a thriller at Christchurch Avon, which allows East Wellington to draw level with them on 70 points. Dunedin lead Avon 2-0 before the home side come back to overwhelm them in the second half, while East Wellington win in Masterton, thanks to three penalties. Vjolsen nets the first two and, after he has been substituted, Hika Reid scores a third in the last minute to secure a 3-1 win. Alexander Zinzani gets his 34th goal of the season for Masterton and remains two goals ahead for Vjolsen in the race for the Golden Boot. The results mean the title will go down to the final day, with Dunedin United at home to Timaru and East Wellington hosting West Wellington at Miramar. Dunedin will be without de Havilland for this crucial match after the striker picks up an ankle injury and Tedelli will be suspended. Wanganui and Auckland are out of the running after they lose at Hotspur and West Wellington. West Wellington's win over Auckland ensures their safety, while Hotspur are almost certain to stay up thanks to their goal difference. But if Whangarei can win at Avon and New Plymouth lose at Auckland in the final game, the Northerners may yet save themselves. In the midst of all this, the performance of the day goes to Western Suburbs who finish their home campaign in style, thrashing Greymouth 10-1 and sending the Coasters back to the Southern League after just one season in the top flight. Kikau and Larsen both net hattricks for the Emeralds. In the Regional Championship, Forest, Meadowbank and Nelson continue to battle it out for top spot, with Forest in the box seat despite being held at home by Invercargill, 0-0. Invercargill need to beat Meadowbank by a big score in the final game, and hope that Forest also win by a cricket score in Nelson, to get through - it's an unlikely scenario, but one club watching avidly will be Dunedin Technical. If Invercargill don't go up, Technic3al, last in the Southern League Second Division, will be relegated to the Otago League, just seven years after playing Premier League football.
LEADERBOARD:
Archer Award (All Games) - Nathan Sheehan (Christchurch Avon, 2012 pts)
Archer Award (League) - Ziljano (Western Suburbs, 1576 pts)
Fair Play League (League) - East Wellington United, 665 pts
Golden Boot - Alexander Zinzani (Masterton Rangers), 34

17 September 2023
Despite seeing their winless run stretch to six matches, Dunedin United edge closer to the title after a home draw with Whakatane. Pravan scores the opener but veteran midfielder Jutsgaard equalisers for the visitors, who are now safe from relegation. Auckland United miss the chance to cut Dunedin's lead to two points when they are held 3-3 at home buy Masterton. Keifer Gordon looks to have scored a late winner for the home side, only for Golden Boot leader Alexander Zinzani to equalise and, in doing so, complete his hat-trick. There's some comfort for the Eagles - their reserves are down in Masterton winning 2-0 and securing the Reserve League title. But the dropped point by the senior side allows East Wellington back into second place, three points behind Dunedin, after they crush Whangarei 6-3. Greymouth play a tough home draw against Swiftfield and the Coasters, and Whangarei, still have a chance of catching New Plymouth and Hotspur and staying up. West Wellington are virtually assured of safety after Kelefios gets a hat-trick in Hamilton but the individual performance of the day is from Timaru's Ben Walsh, who gets four as his team see off Western Suburbs 4-2. Stelta Forest and Meadowbank are now nicely placed for promotion to the Premier League after they draw 0-0 in Auckland. With two games to go, the Bankers trail Forest by a point but have a three point lead over Nelson, who lose 2-1 at Invercargill.
LEADERBOARD:
Archer Award (All Games) - Nathan Sheehan (Christchurch Avon, 1975 pts)
Archer Award (League) - Ziljano (Western Suburbs, 1524 pts)
Fair Play League (League) - East Wellington United, 652 pts
Golden Boot - Alexander Zinzani (Masterton Rangers), 33

13 September 2023
Dunedin United's season continues to fall apart but, ironically, the Steels edge closer to the championship as the teams behind them all fail to take advantage. United go to Northway but after Gael has equalised Wolf's goal, Kimura and Sandlanga score late goals to seal the game. Auckland United move into second place with a 1-1 draw at Whangarei and are locked on 64 points, five behind Dunedin, with three games to go, with East Wellington and Wanganui. The Canaries go down 3-2 at Avon, thanks largely to two goals from Nathan Sheehan, and Wanganui lose the derby in New Plymouth, where Grattan and Bitton score second half goals to lift the home side out of the relegation zone and put Whangarei back in trouble. Greymouth, who had looked dead and buried, keep their hopes alive with a win in Hamilton, only their second away win of the season. Stelta Forest stay top of the Regional Championship table despite dropping points at home to Nelson, who have Peter Kavakel sent off but hang on for a draw. Meadowbank move into second place, Ray Owen taking his goal tally to four as they beat Invercargill and make it nearly impossible for the the Southland team to qualify for the Premier League.
LEADERBOARD:
Archer Award (All Games) - Nathan Sheehan (Christchurch Avon, 1941 pts)
Archer Award (League) - Ziljano (Western Suburbs, 1476 pts)
Fair Play League (League) - East Wellington United, 629 pts
Golden Boot - Alexander Zinzani (Masterton Rangers), 30

10 September 2023
Dunedin United's lead is cut back to five points after a draw at home with Western Suburbs. Gael and Callaghan score for the home side and after Kikau and Ziljoen have squared the match at 2-2, Kikau nets for the visitors. Ranjad Pravan comes on as a very late sub for Dunedin, replacing Romeo Dimas, and nets the goal that makes it 3-3. Dunedin's race for the title is anything but certain though - their goals against Suburbs are the first in three matches and they now haven't won in four games. In Wellington, Mal Burnheim, who has been unable to hold down a regular first team place at Miramar, scores twice as East Wellington beat Northway Athletic 4-2, while Iain McCart's late strike is enough to see off West Wellington and keep Wanganui in third place. Auckland remain fourth after getting a late winner against Avon. Allan Rayne comes on in the 84th minute and scores for Avon with just a minute to go, tying the match at 2-2 - but Ross Hirschfeld has other ideas, and blasts home his second to win the game in the final minute. There's no change at the bottom; Greymouth and New Plymouth are both involved in 0-0 draws but they creep closer to Whangarei, who go down 3-1 in Hamilton. Stelta Forest take control of the Regional Championship with a 3-0 win in Invercargill, Archie Wilkes scoring twice. In Auckland, Meadowbank beat Nelson to join the Hawks in second place, Ray Owen getting two goals after Maurice Devlin has given Nelson an early lead.
LEADERBOARD:
Archer Award (All Games) - Nathan Sheehan (Christchurch Avon, 1906 pts)
Archer Award (League) - Romeo Dimas (Dunedin United, 1443 pts)
Fair Play League (League) - East Wellington United, 607 pts
Golden Boot - Alexander Zinzani (Masterton Rangers), 29

6 September 2023
In what is possibly their last chance to have a tilt at the championship, East Wellington face Dunedin United at Miramar but, despite their recent lack of goalscoring form, the Steels hold out for a 0-0 draw and actually increase their lead to seven points, after Auckland United lose 2-1 at Northway Athletic. Dunedin are without Eagleton, Vestergaard and Gaya, and will be till the season's end, and it shows - they now haven't scored in three games. The Eagles look good for a point at least, until Shroeder is sent off, and Baker's penalty secures the home win. Masterton rest some key players after the Cup semi-final - including Zinzani - and pay the price, losing 3-2 at home to Wanganui who take the opportunity to squeeze into third place. There's no change at the bottom as Greymouth and New Plymouth draw their relegation struggle in Taranaki and Cup finalists Whangarei suffer a semi-final hangover, going down 2-0 to ten man Napier City. West Wellington win the derby with Northern Suburbs while Western Suburbs are up in Auckland, getting a 3-0 hammering at Swiftfield, thanks to Breck, Kikion and Lecrosse. And Avon's end of season run in suffers another setback - they lose at home to Henry King's goal for Hamilton City. The Regional Championship, to determine which two teams will be promoted to the Premier League, begins with Nelson scoring a 3-1 win over Invercargill, with goals from Thorney, Lyttle and Curt Teesdale, son of Stighlend legend, Mike Teesdale. In Rotorua, two goals from Barry Halsetter give Forest an opening day win against Meadowbank.
LEADERBOARD:
Archer Award (All Games) - Nathan Sheehan (Christchurch Avon, 1871 pts)
Archer Award (League) - Romeo Dimas (Dunedin United, 1421 pts)
Fair Play League (League) - East Wellington United, 579 pts
Golden Boot - Alexander Zinzani (Masterton Rangers), 28

3 September 2023
Masterton Rangers are into the New Zealand Cup Final for only the second time, and for the first time since their defeat in 1980, after they beat Western Suburbs 3-1 in Palmerston North. The semi-final appearance is Western Suburbs 17th, but the Emeralds have only gone on to win the Cup three times. Ziljano has the chance to put them into the final but sees his 11th minute penalty brilliantly saved by Tobias Kallstrom and after Zinzani's opportunist strike opens the scoring, Niles Elrich slots home a second to give the Wairarapa club a 2-0 half-time lead. With fifteen minutes to go, Kikau looks to have given Suburbs a lifeline but his free kick is ruled out for being taken too early and the retake is easily caught by Kallstrom. Three minutes later, it's all over when Zinzani scores with a splendid header from the edge of the area. Larsen scores a similar goal at the other end but there's no coming back. Suburbs have some satisfaction in the dying seconds when Heath handles and Zinzani steps up to the spot to secure a hat-trick, only for Toreski to dive low to his left and save the shot. 2017 winners Whangarei City, in their third semi-final in as many years, beat 2022 finalists Whakatane 3-0 in Hamilton and put themselves in the position to rescue something from a forgettable season. The teams are locked at 0-0 for an hour before Stuart Chand breaks the deadlock with an excellent free kick, after a foul by Barwick. A minute later, Whangarei are awarded another, in the same position, when Ruscroft goes in late on Grace. This time Chand steps over the ball and Statham fires it into the top corner. Two minutes into injury time, Whakatane are surging forward in search of a miracle when Grace robs Gordie and streaks downfield unchallenged. Craik comes out to meet him but Grace delicately passes to Marius who volleys home from the edge of the eight yard box.

30 August 2023
New Zealand's Gold Cup campaign is back on track after a 3-2 win over Poland in Auckland but, in the end, it's a narrow thing. Sheehan sets the tone, having an early shot cleared off the line by Bednarek and hitting the crossbar in the opening quarter-hour. After half an hour, the Avon striker's long range volley puts New Zealand in front with his 40th international goal and six minutes later, Kristensen, making his first start for the year, turns well to make it 2-0. But Poland come back in the second half and it's 2-1 after Jekkers brings Frankowski down and Syzmanski blasts the penalty home. Just before the hour, Szymanski scores a superb equaliser, but a scrappy goal, forced home by Rojas, puts the home side back in front. Poland finish strongly, Lewandowski having a header disallowed for offside, while Frankowski comes close with a shot that misses the left hand upright narrowly and the same player then sees Ryder tip his vicious shot over the bar.

1977

27 August 2023
Dunedin United maintain their seven point lead in the Premier League despite suffering their first home loss of the season, a 3-0 defeat to Swiftfield. Vargas, Lasseter and Gunnarson score the goals that lift the Aucklanders to sixth place but East Wellington are unable to take advantage, dropping to third, behind Auckland United, after losing to the Eagles, 4-2. Veteran Ross Hirschfeld scores twice for Auckland with Cotton and James adding further goals. Wanganui lose ground after Francis Roach's goal gives Whangarei a valuable win at Gonville and keeps them out of the relegation zone while Northway Athletic draw at Hamilton, and Avon and Western Suburbs both come from behind to win. Sheehan equalisers for Avon at Napier and Green gets a late winner while Western Suburbs trail to Russell's goal for Hotspur at Emerald Park, but surge back in the second half and win 4-2, Kikau getting a brace. Woodman's late goal secures a point for Greymouth against West Wellington but they remain in serious trouble while New Plymouth also get a point, at Timaru, but stay three points adrift in the relegation zone. Dunedin United's Juniors reach the Frazer Cup Final after a 1-0 extra-time win over West Wellington United. The Steels now have the chance for the double and will play Swiftfield, who beat Hastings United 2-0.
LEADERBOARD:
Archer Award (All Games) - Nathan Sheehan (Christchurch Avon, 1838 PL0pts)
Archer Award (League) - Romeo Dimas (Dunedin United, 1399 pts)
Fair Play League (League) - East Wellington United, 549 pts
Golden Boot - Alexander Zinzani (Masterton Rangers), 26

Hastings United 2-0.

23 August 2023
Stelta Forest win 2-0 in Papakura to reach the Gabriel Trophy final but there's a surprise in Wainuiomata where the home side upset Gisborne City 3-1 in extra-time.

20 August 2023
The Southern Cup produces one of the best finals ever although it is played in front of a relatively small crowd, in Conception, in Chile. Boca Juniors, the 2022 runners-up, defeat 2020 winners Penarol 4-3, and do so despite finishing the game with ten men. Penarol take an early lead when Medina slices Sanchez's corner into his own goal but the Brazilians are level at the break, thanks to a splendid volley from Federico Aguirre. In the second half, Boca tahe the lead with a scrappy goal from Advincula but it's soon 2-2, Hernandez latching onto a loose ball and firing home from fifteen yards, just a minute later. The Uruguayans are back in front on the hour, Gonzalez turning brilliantly in the box to score and look like having the game won when Advincula is sent off for a cynical foul on Saravia. But there's a sting in the tail; with ten minutes remaining, Rak is adjudged to have handled in the box and Aguirre's penalty makes it 3-3 then, with four minutes remaining, Villa breaks through on the left and is brought down by Neris. Aguirre calmly steps up to score the winner from the spot and complete his hat-trick.

16 August 2023
There'll be no double for Dunedin this year as the Steels crash out of the New Zealand Cup in Whakatane, 3-0, while East Wellington's slimmer hopes of the double also end after a 3-0 defeat at Masterton. Ziljano's goal for Western Suburbs gives them a win over Avon but at a cost, Tarkovsky and Frost picking up injuries, but leaves the Emeralds as Cup favourites after another Sixth Round upset, Whangarei ousting Auckland United 2-0. Whangarei and Whakatane will meet in the semi-finals, one-time winner Whangarei hoping to reach their fifth final, while Whakatane have been finalists only once and have never won the Cup. Masterton are in their third semi-final but their first since 1984 - they reached the final, but lost, in 1980, while Western Suburbs are semi-finalists for the 17th time - although, remarkably, the Emeralds have only gone on to win the Cup three times, the last victory coming 48 years ago, in their double year of 1975.

13 August 2023
Dunedin United see off a spirited challenge from Auckland United, winning 3-2 at Mount Albert after the Eagles had seemed to be in control, James' 55th minute goal giving them the lead. Gael, in for the injured Vestergaard is having a quiet match and is subbed in the 78th minute by Ranjad Pravan - it proves to be an inspired change, Pravan striking within two minutes to equalise and then scoring the winner just three minutes after that. Dunedin's lead is now out to seven points after East Wellington are held at home by Hamilton, Minasian's late goal securing a point at Miramar, and Wanganui shock Avon 3-1 in Christchurch despite finishing the game with ten men. Greymouth remain firmly anchored to the bottom after a 3-0 loss in Masterton and New Plymouth remain in serious trouble after losing at home to Whakatane. Vigard Vjolsen now leads the Golden Boot, taking over from Alexander Zinzani.
LEADERBOARD:
Archer Award (All Games) - Nathan Sheehan (Christchurch Avon, 1741 pts)
Archer Award (League) - Romeo Dimas (Dunedin United, 1381 pts)
Fair Play League (League) - East Wellington United, 533 pts
Golden Boot - Vigard Vjolsen (East Wellington United, 25)

9th August 2023
It's going to be an all-Wellington League Cup Final. In form Western Suburbs extend their unbeaten run to seven matches with a thrilling 2-0 win over East Wellington United at Miramar while, on the other side of the city, West Wellington beat Auckland United 4-2. Eight times winners Western Suburbs have not reached a final since Martin Jaegar's hat-trick gave them victory over Ridgeway City in 1999, while West Wellington's only win came back in 2003. Hamilton Vixens will have the opportunity to complete the double after they beat Sydenham to reach the Women's National Cup Final, where they will play two-time losing finalists East Wellington United. Stelta Forest and Gisborne City reach the Gabriel Trophy semi-finals but will face difficult opposition with trips to Papakura and Wainuiomata.

6 August 2023
Auckland United slip up in Hamilton, going down 3-1 - despite the sending-off of Hamilton's Anders Poulsen - and Dunedin take full advantage, hammering Hotspur 5-1 to extend their lead to five points. The win comes at a cost though, with Vestergaard sustaining a serious knee injury which may see him miss the rest of the season. A penalty from Vjolsen gives East Wellington a win at Napier, lifts them back into second place and gives the striker the lead in the Golden Boot, while Wanganui beat Northway Athletic to take control of fourth place. Bitton and Grattan both miss penalties at Emerald Park but the home side are unforgiving, Ziljano netting a hat-trick as Western Suburbs win 4-0 and sink New Plymouth into the relegation zone. Hamilton Vixens pull off a stunning victory in the Women's League, beating Hutt Valley Angels 5-0 to take the title after Dunedin United lose at home to Christchurch Avon. The Vixens are in only their second season in the league and had finished 12th in 2022.
LEADERBOARD:
Archer Award (All Games) - Nathan Sheehan (Christchurch Avon, 1712 pts)
Archer Award (League) - Romeo Dimas (Dunedin United, 1350 pts)
Fair Play League (League) - East Wellington United, 512 pts
Golden Boot - Alexander Zinzani (Masterton Rangers, 23)