THE Coastal Premier League (CPL) has announced that it will move straight into a final series starting on Saturday 18 September if the lockdown is lifted on Friday 10 September.

The final four in both first grade and reserve grade was determined after all unplayed matches were recorded as one all draws.

The final four in first grade are Coffs United, Coffs Tigers, Boambee and Port United, the final four in reserve grade are Coffs United, Northern Storm, Port Saints and Port United.

Assuming the lockdown is lifted, finalists will resume team training on 11 September ahead of the semi-finals on 18 September and the grand finals for both grades will take place on Saturday, 25 September 2021, at C.ex Coffs International Stadium.

General Manager for North Coast Football Andrew Woodward said there’s plenty of good football ahead.

“We have a finals series with the four teams who set the pace throughout the season, there’s plenty of good football ahead of us.

“If we get the opportunity, we must complete a final series, we don’t know where things are going with the pandemic, if we can play a final series in September or October, we will.

“It’s a credit to all ten clubs that 96 percent of scheduled matches were played this year, the quality has been high, the passion without question, and the standing of competition has grown.

“Nothing would have made us happier than to have a complete regular season.

“We would have preferred that the finals were determined on the pitch rather than on paper.

“We also recognise that the events beyond our control mean some teams haven’t finished where they hoped.

“We also know that some teams have missed a shot at finding their way into the finals.

“We understand the disappointment of those disadvantaged or who missed out, these teams deserved a shot but didn’t get it.

“Floods, a global pandemic and a potentially short window of opportunity to play meant we had to make the difficult decision we did,” said Andrew.

CPL finals series

Saturday, 18 September 2021

First Grade

Coffs United (1) v Port United (4) at Forsyth Park (6 pm TBC)

Coffs Tigers (2) v Boambee (3) at Polwarth Drive (3 pm TBC)

Reserve Grade

Coffs United (1) v Port United (4) at Forsyth Park (4 pm TBC)

Northern Storm (2) v Port Saints (3) at Polwarth Drive (1 pm TBC)

Saturday, 25 September 2021

First grade

Winner of 1 v 4 and 2 v 3 (7 pm TBC) at C.ex Coffs International Stadium

Reserve Grade

Winner of 1 v 4 and 2 v 3 (4.45 pm TBC) at C.ex Coffs International Stadium

 

By David WIGLEY