Interesting Matchups

Matariki Weekend sees some interesting matchups in Round 11 of the Southern League (SL) as the top three sides continue their close battle to secure a top-two finish to claim a place in the National League Championship. Third-placed Christchurch United and Ferrymead Bays kick off the action when they meet at the United Sports Centre at 7:30 pm on Thursday evening. On Friday at midday, Coastal Spirit, who sits in second, will be out to claim their first SL win over Nelson Suburbs at Linfield Park. Leaders Cashmere Technical are away to FC Twenty 11 at Avonhead Park at 2:45 pm. In what is a key 'six point' battle to move away from the drop zone, Selwyn squares off against Universities of Canterbury at Foster Park at 3 pm. The final game is a mid-table clash between Dunedin City Royals and Nomads, which will be played at Tuhuna Park at 2:30 pm. 

At was a seven-goal thriller when Christchurch United and Ferrymead Bays met back in April with United having to come from 3 - 1 down at the break to win 4 - 3 so Bays will be out to press the two-time and defending champions again and claim their firsts points off United on their home turf.    

Head-to-Head:
Played 5 – United 5 wins, Draws 1  

Form:
United W L W W L W
Bays L W L L L W   

Previous Result This Season:
Bays 3 United 4 

Nelson Suburbs are the only team that Coastal Spirit have not defeated in the 18-round format of the SL and they will be keen to tick this box off and maintain their current position on the table as they build for their Chatham Cup tie against Bays next weekend, with usual captain, Joe Hoole back from suspension. In the Round 8 fixture Suburbs scored twice in added time to claim a share of the points after Coastal looked to be cruising for the three points.  

Head-to-Head:
Played 5 – Draws 3, Suburbs 2 wins  

Form:
Coastal W W W W W W
Suburbs L L W L W W                                          

Previous Result This Season:
Suburbs 3 Coastal 3 

All of the Dunedin City Royals points have come at home this season and they will be out to continue this run when they meet Nomads who are currently four clear of their southern rivals. The Royals have yet to give up a point to Nomads at home and with both sides losing the previous round both will be looking for a positive result, more so for Royals who face Otago University in the Chatham Cup.  

Head-to-Head:
Played 5 - Royals 3 wins, Draws 1, Nomads 1vwin 

Form:
Royals W W L W L L
Nomads D W L D W L                        

Previous Result This Season:
Nomads 2 Royals 0 

On paper the clash between pointless FC Twenty 11 and Cashmere Technical - yet to lose in the league, looks a no contest but FC showed plenty of flight up in Nelson last Sunday to coming back from an early goal to lead Suburbs 2 - 1 at the break but could not hold on to claim their first point of the season. Technical took out the opening encounter 12 - 0, the highest score this season and FC cannot afford a similar result.       

Head-to-Head:
Played 3 Suburbs 3 wins  

Form:
FC L L L L L L
Technical W W W W W W                         

Previous Result This Season:
FC 0 Technical 12 

Both Selwyn and UC will be chasing the win to increase the points gap over FC. The Stallions will be without their captain Jack Allatt, who is suspended, and they will be out to do the 'double' over UC after coming from behind to win the reverse encounter, 2 - 1 with all the goals coming in the final 30 minutes of the game.  

Head-to-head:
Played 1 – Selwyn 1 win 

Form:
Selwyn D L L L W L
UC L L W D L L                                                          

Previous Result This Season:
UC 1 Selwyn 2 

Women's South Island League Continues

The second round of the South Island League will be played on Saturday with all games kicking off at 12:30 pm. Leaders and current champions Cashmere Technical host Roslyn Wakari at Garrick Memorial Park, with Dunedin City Royals meeting Otago University at Tahuna Park with the final game seeing Coastal Spirit SAS heading north to face Nelson Suburbs.  

For Roslyn Wakari this is their first outing in the league due to their Round 1 game at home to Suburbs being played next weekend, with Cashmere Technical looking for their second win on the bounce after winning away to University last Sunday. Technical will be looking for a solid workout before next weekend's clash in the Quarter-Finals of the Kate Sheppard Cup, away to the Royals.  

Head-to-head:
The first time they have met in the league 

Form:
Technical W
Roslyn  

The all-Dunedin clash see's the Dunedin City Royals and Otago University meet for the first time in the league with the two sides finishing first and second, respectively in the Southern Football Qualifying League, with the Royals winning 1 - 0 when they met in that league thanks to a Hannah MacKay-Wright goal in the first minutes of added time in the second half.     

Head-to-head:
The first time they have met in the league 

Form:
Royals W
University L  

Both Nelson Suburbs and Coastal Spirit are chasing their first points of the league. A tight encounter is expected after the two sides drew 1 - 1 early in the season in the Mainland Qualifying League, with Suburbs coming back from being a goal down at half-time at England Park.   

Head-to-head:
Played 2 - Coastal 2 wins  

Form:
Suburbs
Coastal L 

Leading Sides In Women's CPL Meet

Universities of Canterbury and Cashmere Technical Reserves, who both won in the open round of the Women's New World Premiership, meet in Round 2 at English Park. The only other winner from the opening round, NW United takes on Ferrymead Bays at Tulett Park. Coastal Spirit SAS Res. host UC Maroon at St Albans Park with the final game played at Foster Park with Selwyn meeting Halswell. All the games kick off at 12:30 pm.

Article added: Thursday 27 June 2024