The Dunedin City Royals clinched fourth spot in the Southern League when they edged Nelson Suburbs 1 – 0 in their catch-up game from Round 14. After a bright start from Suburbs, they found themselves behind when Ollie Petersen finished off from a cross from Callan Rothmets. The Royals looked to add to their score line with Suburbs threating on the counter. Late in the half Conner Neil drew a good save out of Corey Wilson. With normal time almost up Nelson sub, James McGookin could only head over the bar from close range. In added time Suburbs looked to have been given a lifeline when awarded a very tight call for hand ball but Boomer went the right way to save Aidan Higgs spot kick.

The final table sees Christchurch United top the table on goal difference over Cashmere Technical with both on 49. Suburbs are third in 33, Royals 31 and Ferrymead Bays completed the top half of the table on 30. Coastal Spirit end in 16, one ahead of Nomads with Green Island 13, Selwyn 11 and relegated Mosgiel on 9. 

Result / Scorer - Round 14 Catch-Up Game

Dunedin City Royals 1 (Ollie Petersen)
Nelson Suburbs 0
HT 1 - 0 

FC and Waimak Increase Lead As CCL Concludes

FC Twenty11 and Waimak both concluded their New World Canterbury Premier League campaigns when the defeated Halswell 3 – 1 and Burwood 4 – 1 respectively, with the Parklands / Universities game deferred as Western had the bye. Champion’s FC finish on 40, Waimak 36 with Western third on 29. Burwood have 28, Universities 25, Halswell 17 and Parklands 3.

Two late first half goal to Luke Aldridge saw FC go to the break ahead but both sides were guilty of wasting some great chances. Halswell went close to scoring before they pulled a goal back when Ryan Navickas scored from the penalty spot in the 77^th minute. Halswell keeper, Kile Hodge pulled off a stunning save to deny Geoff MacIntyre from a freekick with Nathan Dix wrapping up the win for FC when scoring in the final minute of normal time. FC now go into the two leg Southern League Promotion playoff series against Dunedin’s Roslyn Wakari, with FC having the home advantage on Saturday.

Waimak ensure that coach, Adam Keizer plus several players that will not be at the club in 2023, ended their time at the club with a win. Kamil Elmohib opened the scoring early in the game with the only goal of the opening half. Burwood were back on level terms just after the break and Kane Kilbride found the back of the net. Waimak finished the stronger with Jake Hale putting them back in front with 20 to play with Elmohib adding his second from the penalty spot in the 86^th before Dany Loney scored in added time after having been subbed into the game. 

Results / Scorers - Round 21 of 21

Halswell 1 (Ryan Navickas – pen)
FC Twenty11 3 (Luke Aldridge 2, Nathan Dix)
HT 0 - 2  

Waimak 4 (Kamil Elmohib 2 – incl pen, Jake Hale, Danny Loney)
Burwood 1 (Kane Kilbride)
HT 1 - 0

Parklands vs. Universities game deferred 

Western the bye 

Selwyn End Season With A Win

The Selwyn CCWL ended the season on a high when the defeated the previously unbeaten Universities Premier League side, 3 – 0 in the catch-up game in the New World Women’s Canterbury Championship League.

Selwyn made the most of a depleted Universities side with Emily Andrew, Shannon Roydhouse and Olivia Chirnside all scoring, with the game a double celebration for Andrew who was presented her centurion cap after the game, the first female to achieve the feat at the club. 

The final table see’s Universities on 15 points, Nomads WPL and Christchurch United CWCL on 12, with Nomads having the better goal different by + 16, Halswell CWCL 10, Cashmere Technical CWCL 5, Coastal Spirit CWCL 4 and Selwyn on 3.      

Result / Scorers – Catch-up Game Round 6  

Selwyn 3 (Emily Andrew, Shannon Roydhouse, Olivia Chirnside)
Universities 0