The Southern League enters the halfway point when Round 4 of 7 is played this coming weekend which features three inter Federation clashes for the first time. Coastal Spirit hosts Otago University at 1:30 pm on Saturday at Linfield Park, and an hour earlier, South City Royals take on Selwyn at the Logan Park Turf. Back in Christchurch at 2:45, Garrick Memorial Park is the venue when Cashmere Technical takes on Christchurch United. On Sunday at 1 pm, Green Island entertains Nelson Suburbs at Sunnyvale.  

Coastal and University come into this round sitting on 6 points, and both will be chasing the win to keep alive their hopes of National League football. Both sides have struggled to score in the opening half so far in the league, so this will be a stat both sides will be out to change so they can gain control early on. Both sides come into their clash off losses, Coastal going down narrowly, with University go down 4 - 0, but the game was more even than the final score-line indicates. 

Form: Coastal W W L Otago University W W L    

United come into this game just outside the top half of the table and cannot afford a second loss, or National League hopes may be dashed. The two sides played out an entertaining 1 - 1 result when they first met in the Mainland League, with Tech making the most of the home advantage to win the reverse fixture 5 - 1. Tech also knocked United out of the Chatham Cup 3 - 0. This is Tech's third league game in six days; after defeating University on Sunday, they ended Selwyn 2 - 1 midweek in their catch-up, and if the Mainland champions can make it three wins on the bounce, they are likely well on the way of claiming a top-two finish.  

Form: Technical W L W W United L D W 

The Royals also look to make it three wins in a row if they can topple Selwyn, who come into their game without their talisman, Dan Ede, who picked up his fifth yellow card on Wednesday evening, with the Royal's Sam Reidy also out suspended. Goals look to be guaranteed as both teams have scored in the three previous rounds and conceded in every round.  

Form: Royals L W W Selwyn W L L    

Both Green Island and Suburbs are currently sitting at the wrong end of the table, with both teams chasing their first win of the league. Green Island looks to improve in the defensive third after conceding ten goals in two games, with Suburbs going down by the odd goals in Dunedin last Sunday against the Royals. 

Form: Green Island L L Suburbs D L L          

Written by Gavin Searle. 
Article added: Thursday 12 August 2021