Christchurch United moved to the top of the Southern League (SL) table, after defeating Dunedin City Royals 4 – 1, in a Covid affected Round 2, which saw the games between Cashmere Technical / Nelson Suburbs and Coastal Spirit / Selwyn, postponed. In the other two games, Ferrymead Bays defeated Mosgiel 3 – 1, with Green Island edging Nomads 1 – 0. United have 6 points, Technical, Suburbs, Bays, Royals and Green Island all have 3, with Selwyn, Coastal, Nomads and Mosgiel yet to record a point. Due to postponed games, Technical, Suburbs, Coastal and Nomads all have a game in hand with Selwyn yet to start their SL campaign. 

In a tight opening between United and the Royals, which saw play switching from end to end before United began to dominate, Joel Peterson scored to put the Rams 1-up. The Royals looked dangerous on the quick counterattack. Still, after having several shots cleared off the line, United extended their lead when Peterson set up Mika Rabuka just before the break. Early in the second half, a handball saw the Royal reduce the margin with Connor Neil scoring from the resulting penalty. Minutes later, United’s Blake Weston had to scramble and clear a shot from Ryan Fleming with the Royals, then creating several half chances. United’s Daniel MacLennan proved to be a handful for the Royals defenders. After creating several chances, he finally scored on the hour mark after receiving the ball from sub Sanni Issa. MacLennan was involved in the United fourth and final, finding Peterson, who finished well, his third strike of the season. 

Bays were worthy of their win over Mosgiel. After failing to take their chances against Technical in the opening, round Bays made the most of some poor defending at times. Erik Panzer pulled Bays ahead in the 26th minute, which was quickly followed by a second from Will Pierce, with Pierce going on to collect a brace just before the break to complete a dominant half for the visitors. Mosgiel rallied after the break, with Cody Brook reducing the margin from the penalty spot early in the second half. Still, the damage had already been done in the opening half, with Bays deservedly going on to claim all three points. 

Also played in Dunedin, it was a tight game between Green Island and Nomads, with the latter looking short of a run after their opening-round match had been postponed, with the sides turning at the break scoreless. The game turned in the 51st minute when Nomads turned the ball into their own net, with Green Island creating the better of the chances for the remainder of the game but unable to add to their goal tally. 

Round 3 fixtures on Saturday see Selwyn hosting Green Island. The Royals entertain Coastal, Bays face United with Nomads taking on Technical. On Sunday, Mosgiel travels north to play Suburbs. The postponed game from Round 1 between Nomads at Selwyn will now be played on Tuesday, 12 April.   

Results / Scorers 

Christchurch United 4 (Joel Peterson 2, Mika Rabuka, Darren MacLennan) Dunedin City Royals 1 (Connor Neil - pen) HT 2 - 0 

Green Island 1 (own goal) Nomads 0 HT 0 - 0 

Mosgiel 1 (Cody Brook - pen) Ferrymead Bays 3 Will Pierce 2, Erik Panzer) HT 0 - 3  

Cashmere Technical vs. Nelson Suburbs - postponed due to Covid. 

Coastal Spirit vs. Selwyn - postponed due to Covid. 

Top Two Record Wins In Opening Round

The top two sides in recent seasons in the New World Women’s Premiership (WPL), Coastal Spirit SAS and Cashmere Technical, both recorded wins in the opening round. Champions Coastal were too strong for Nomads, winning 8 – 0, with Technical defeating Universities 7 – 3. 

Mel Cameron put Coastal ahead after 14 minutes, with Rebecca Lake adding a second minutes later before Cameron and Ellena Firth doubled the lead after 34 minutes. Nomads went close to scoring right on half-time, but the shot was pushed wide. Imo Bos, who had been subbed on at the break, scored her maiden WPL goal in the 47th minute before Cameron scored two more goals in the space of ten minutes. Lauren Dabner added the final goal in the final minute of play. 

It was an even contest between Technical and Universities, with Tech going in front through Nicola Dominikovich scoring in the 11th min before Emma Kench doubled the lead midway into the half, only for Frankie Morrow to immediately pull are goal back for Universities. Kate Loye then restored Tech’s two-goal margin eight minutes before the break before Jasmine Donald scored for the students in added time. Tech then took control of the game with three goals to Dominikovich, Kench and Jonelle Arthur before Morrow scored her second with 15 minutes to play, with Kench then completing her hat-trick two minutes later. 

Results / Scorers 

Cashmere Technical 7 (Emma Kench 3, Nicola Dominikovich 2, Kate Loye, Jonelle Arthur) Universities 3 (Frankie Morrow 2, Jasmine Donald) HT 3 - 2 

Nomads 0 Coastal Spirit SAS 8 (Mel Cameron 4, Rebecca Lake, Ellena Firth, Imo Bos, Lauren Dabner) HT 0 – 8 

Three Remain Unbeaten In Canterbury Premier League

FC Twenty 11, Western and Waimak all remain unbeaten in the New World Canterbury Premier League after Round 2 was played on Saturday. FC were the big winners, romping home 8 – 0 over Parklands, with the goals split evenly between each half. Burwood was too strong for Mid Canterbury when winning 5 – 1 after the sides were locked together 1 – all at the break. Western came from behind to defeat Halswell 3 – 1, with Waimak winning by the same margin over Universities. FC top the table on goal difference as they, Western and Waimak, all have 6 points. Burwood has 3, with the other four teams yet to claim a point. Both Halswell and Mid Canterbury have a game in hand. 

Results / Scorers 

Burwood 5 (Kane Kilbride 3, Mark Pearson, Jamie Auld) Mid Canterbury 1 (Luke Martin) HT 1 - 1 

Parklands 0 FC Twenty11 8 (Jake Neil 2, Martin Lopez, Reza Ahmadi, Luke Aldridge, Leon Houston, Jacob Grosvenor, own goal) HT 0 - 4 

Universities 1 (Stuart Campbell) Waimak 3 (Danny Loney 2, Mitchel Quigley) HT 1 - 2 

Western 3 (Omar Cameron 2, Rodrigo Balcazar) Halswell 1 (James Price) HT 2 - 1 

Written by Gavin Searle. 
Article added: Monday 04 April 2022