Top Teams Met In Southern League

Round 7 of the Southern League (SL) see four of the sides in the top of the table drawn together, so they all will not be claiming maximum points which may allow teams in the bottom half the table to advance. On Saturday leaders, Christchurch United faced fifth placed Nelson Suburbs at the United Sports Centre at 11.30am and in what should be the game of the round, second placed Cashmere Technical host third placed Dunedin City Royals at Garrick Memorial Park at 1:30pm. At midday, Green Island take on Selwyn at Sunnyvale Park. At 2:45pm FC Twenty11 have the home advantage at Avonhead Park when they entertain Ferrymead Bays. On Sunday, Coastal Spirit face Nomads at Linfield Park at midday.  

United will be looking to maintain their perfect start to the SL when they met Suburbs, who are unbeaten on their last four outings. United were 'hot to trot' against Bays last Saturday and Pail Ifill will be looking to continue that form against Suburbs. The Nelson side scored a handful of goals themselves without reply against Coastal and know they will head into the game as underdogs, with United only having conceded in one game so far this season.  

Form:
United W W W W W W                                               
Suburbs: L L D W D W                                  

Previous League Head-to-Head:
United 2 Wins 

Technical have failed to turn in a commanding performance in recent weeks but continue to do enough to remain unbeaten with the Royals likely to be their biggest test to date. If Technical suffer their first loss of the season the Royals will be level on points and in a good position to mount a serious challenge for a top two finish. Technical will be without suspended coach Dan Schwarz so Harry Trethowan will be the only one calling the shots from the dugout.   

Form:
Cashmere Technical W W W D W W 
Royals W W L W D W                                       

Previous League Head-to-Head:
Technical 2 Wins 

Both Green Island and Selwyn come into their clash without a point in their last three games. The need for points is greater for the Dunedin side as they look to move away from the drop zone. The two sides had different types of losses in Round 6, Green Island coming from two goals down to level with Nomads before going down 6 - 2 and Selwyn, looking to earn a share of the points with Technical, only to give up a goal in the final minute of normal time to go down 2 - 1. Green Island picked up a win and a draw against the Stallions last season so will be keen to extend their unbeaten sequence.     

Form:
Green Island L W L L L L 
Selwyn W L W L L L              

Previous League Head-to-Head:
Green Island 1 Win, 1 Draw  

FC find themselves back at the foot of the table on goal difference and will not find it easy against Bays who will be looking to bounce back from their defeat in the previous round to stay in touch with the leaders. FC have struggled in front of goal so far this season, with just three goals, failing to score in four of the rounds so this to be a major priority going forward for FC if they are to climb away from the foot of the table.    

Form:
FC L L L W L L                                                             
Bays W W D L W L                                                          

Previous League Head-to-Head:
This is the first time the clubs have met in the SL     

Coastal have yet to win at home this season with a heavy loss to Suburbs a week ago bringing an end to their three-game unbeaten run and know that a win could see then back in the top half of the table. Nomads have been on the 'up' in recent weeks, a narrow injury loss to United and then their first win over Green Island to move them off the foot of the table. They will be looking to maintain that momentum and stay unbeaten against their rivals in the SL.     

Form:
Coastal: L L W D W L                                                   
Nomads L L L L L W                         

Previous League Head-to-Head:
1 Draw, Nomads 1 Win 

Can Top Two Continue Winning Way Premiership

Can joint table toppers, Parklands and Halswell, maintain their winning way in Round 6 of the New World Premiership. Parklands look to have the tougher of the fixtures when they host third placed Universities at Parklands Reserve at 2:45pm. At the same time at Walter Park, Western host Halswell. At 11am Cashmere Technical Reserves host Burwood at Garrick Memorial Park and at 12:30pn Nomads Reserves take on Waimak at Tulett Park.     

Heavy Rain Warning Rain Leads To Postponement In WSIQL

A heavy rain warning commencing in the early hours of Friday and expected to last until Sunday morning has seen all football postponed in the Nelson area which has affected Round 5 of the Women's South Island Qualifying League with the Nelson Suburbs game against Cashmere Technical deferred. The two remaining games see Selwyn host leaders Coastal Spirit SAS at Foster Park and Universities playing FC Nomads at English Park with both games kicking-off at  2:45pm. Halswell Christchurch United having the bye.   

The young Selwyn side come into their clash with Coastal off back-to-back wins and now find themselves just sitting outside the top four, with the top four gaining a place in the South Island League. Coastal should be a too strong for Selwyn, with a fourth straight win guaranteeing them a spot in the SIL with two rounds to spare. 

Form:
Selwyn: L L W W 
Coastal Spirit SAS: Bye W W W  

In a derby game Universities will be out to cause the upset when the take on FC Nomads. The students need to secure their first win of the season if they hope to qualify for the South Island League. Nomads will be out to return to winning form after going down to Selwyn last Saturday, with Nomads still sitting in the top four and three points would cement that position.  

Form:
Universities: D L Bye L
FC Nomads: L W W L         

Top Verses Bottom Women’s Championship

Round 5 of the New World Women’s Championship continues on Saturday at 12:30pm with leaders Universities Maroon, who have yet to drop a point, away to bottomed placed Waimak at Kendall Park. The Universities Gold side host Cashmere Technical at Ilam Fields with Coastal Spirit SAS entertaining FC Nomads at St Albans Park. Halswell, who sit in second place, have the bye. 

Article added: Friday 05 May 2023