FC Nelson Sprig & Fern beat FC Nelson Fuji Xerox 4-1 to move on step closer to obtaining the Nelson Pine Industries first division. Ant Sonneman, Heyden Nunn, David Goncales Maciel and Henry Fa'arado scored the goals for FC Nelson S&F while Kerry Eggers scored for FC Nelson FX. FC Nelson S&F now three points clear with a +15 goal differencial going into the final three rounds. Even if S&F somehow lose the title from here, FC Nelson will still be the club contesting MPL promotion as Fuji Xerox is the only other side that can catch them from here. However, I'm not sure if it's been confirmed that the club will chase promotion this season.
FC Nelson S&F are coached by former Richmond Athletic coach Steve Bignall and manager Rick Gower while a handful of the team also came from Richmond. Henry is absolute quality. Hope they do go for promotion, but it may be a year too early.
Hold the phone. I thought (through the mega-reliable sources that is the YF Forum) that the Nelson team had decided not to enter the promotion relegation and that Nomads were officially promoted. Is this perhaps not the case?
If so I want my money back.
Was speaking with Steve Bignall a couple of weeks ago when down in ChCh and he told me that FC Nelson had decided not to contest the play-off right at the start of the season, wanted to get the club up and running first before looking to the Mainland League, I have no reason to doubt Steve. Also understand that Nomads were the only club within the Mainland region that indicated at the start of the season that they would seek promotion if the won the league.
I believe the clubs in the qualiflying leagues have to state in writing, to the Mainland Fed, before the season starts if they what promotion - I may be wrong on this.