The Nelson club football season wrapped up on Saturday with FC Nelson claiming the coveted Harris Cup.
FC pipped a Marlborough Invitational XI 4-1 at Saxton Field to win the historic trophy after a 2-2 draw in the first leg over the Whangamoas last week.
Nick Crosswell opened the scoring for FC before goal machine Brandon Pierie netted a second. Labu Pan and Harrison McFadgen then sealed the victory and the cup, which was last contested in 2008.
Coach Paul Brydon says it was a pleasing result against a very strong Marlborough side.
“We had a full squad to call on this week so having a stronger side made a difference.”
He says it means a great deal to the club.
“For the club to win against a rep team is a great effort.”
FC will add the cup to an already full trophy cabinet after taking out the Nelson first division.
“I found it a tough league, there were no easy games.”
Paul says the team started the season strongly, which was the catalyst for its success.
“We trained very early in the year and hit the ground running.”
He says, with some quality youth in the ranks as well as some stalwarts, the side has managed to build plenty of depth this season.
“I hope to keep that nucleus of players for next year.”
They boast a host of talent, with the likes of Brandon Pierie, who scored 21 goals, and Labu Pan and Cristian Benetiz having been involved with Tasman United.
They will be calling on every bit of it this weekend as they take on Christchurch United in the first of a two-match series.
The winning club will book itself a spot in the MPL next season.
Paul says it’s going to be a big ask to beat the Christchurch club champions, who knocked Nelson Suburbs out of the Chatham Cup.
“They are a very strong side but anything can happen, as long as our boys turn up and give 100 per cent, we have got a chance.”
Meanwhile, the Richmond Foxes dominant season continued with a resounding 4-1 win over FC to claim the women’s division one cup on Saturday.
A hat-trick for Maryann Cant sealed the one-sided victory, a common theme for the Richmond side this season.
The Foxes went unbeaten throughout the year, winning 16 from 17 with one draw and a goal differential of 63 across both competitions.
Scorers:
FC Nelson 4 (Brandon Pierie, Nick Crosswell, Labu Pan, Harrison McFadgen)
Marlborough 1
Richmond 4 (Maryann Cant 3, Morgan Hodgson)
FC Nelson 1
