The 2024 edition of the Southern League (SL) kicks off over Easter Weekend. Early indications are that the race for a top-two finish and a place in the National League Championship round will be a close fought battle.

Four of the teams have new coaches, defending champions United have Ryan Edwards – ex-Petone AFC, in charge after the departure of Paul Ifill and Ekow Quainoo, and Chris Brown is once again the ‘head gaffer’ at Selwyn after Lee Padmore moved to the role of Academy Technical Director at Wellington Phoenix, promoted Universities of Canterbury will have Aldo Miramontes as their head coach, with Graham McMann in charge at FC Twenty11, who were , as being assistant coach last season. The remaining six clubs – Cashmere Technical, Coastal Spirit, Dunedin City Royals, Ferrymead Bays, Nelson Suburbs and Nomads retain their coaches from 2023.   

In the lead-up to the season there have been plenty of player movements, but with several clubs still finalising their squads all teams lists from the opening games will be included in the Round 1 review. 

Round 1 commences on Thursday evening with two fixtures – Bays host Universities at Ferrymead Park at 7:15 pm with United entertaining Nomads at the Christchurch Football Centre at 7:30 pm. On Easter Friday, Technical travel south to take on the Royals at 12:30 pm at Logan Park. At 2 pm FC face off against Suburbs at Avonhead Park and 45 minutes later Coastal Spirit take on Selwyn at English Park. 

Chatham Cup holders, Christchurch United will have a ‘new look’ squad this season with coach Edwards only having a handful of the class of 2023 back on the clubs' books with key signings including former All White, Joel Stevens and Zachary Bennett, (both ex Wellington Olympic), keeper Steven Van Dijk, Matthew Brazier - top scorer in the Central League last season at Petone and Michael Hornsby who has been playing in the USA. Edwards is looking to play a different style than the previous two seasons, while also giving more playing time to players that have been developed at the United Academy. Nomads United have the bulk of their squad from last season but have lost Jacob Killick to Universities and Dan Ede to Selwyn. Nomads have yet to take a point off United in the SL but the last time they clashed at Yaldhurst Road, United sneaked home 1 – 0 with the goal coming deep into added time. 

Head-to-Head: Played 4 – United 4 wins 

Ferrymead Bays have lost several players to neighbours Coastal, with Danny Boys and Alex Meaclem from last season along with Ryan Stanley, who took last season off, all headed across the Estuary. Keeper Coey Turipa is not playing this season with Kyle Hodge in goal. Gains include Satsuki Ito, from Japan and Universities leading scorer from last season, Charlie Peacocke. Universities make their SL debut on Thursday evening and the priority for this season will be to avoid relegation. They have the bulk of the squad that won them promotion and have signed several players that have played in the SL, Killick and Roque Salinas and Liam Pledger both ex Coastal, along with players that have played in either the Central or Northern Leagues. 

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

It is likely to be another ʻlong season’ for FC Twenty11, who appears to have struggled to sign any ‘named’ players and will have to quickly solve their major issues from last season, the lack of goals, with just 11 goals scored in the SL last season and only 4 coming at home while conceding over three goals per game. Nelson Suburbs have the bulk of their squad from last season back, with keeper Corey Wilson having a season off, with Nic Van Hattum likely to be in goal. Signings include Samoan international striker, Dauntae Mariner and Spencer Barber – Canadian-born but has been recently playing in Gibraltar for Glacis United FC. Suburbs finished mid-table last season but dropped valuable points when conceding some ‘soft’ goals in the final quarter of games, so this is likely to be a focus in the opening rounds.     

Head-to-Head: Played 2 – Suburbs 2 wins 

Coastal Spirit, who finished in third place last season, has been actively recruiting as they look to push for a top-two finish. Other players joining the club include Weston Bell, ex-Green Island, former Canterbury United player Matthew Bergin, Andrew Storer (ex-Cash. Tech.) and Mason Stearn (ex-ChCh United). Selwyn United has the bulk of their squad back from last season, with former Stallion, Tom Stewart back after playing in Dunedin for the Royals for several seasons while studying. 

 Head-to-Head: Played 4 – Coastal 2 wins, Draws 1, Selwyn 1 win   

In what looks to be the game of the opening round Dunedin City Royals take on Technical in a big game for both clubs with the Dunedin side finishing in fourth place in the two previous seasons they will be out to take their first league points off their rivals at home. Like Suburbs, the Royals have the disadvantage of trying to find ‘testing’ pre-season games locally so facing Technical first up will be a tough assignment. Cashmere Technical have losses and gains to their squad with both Matt Tod-Smith and Benji Lapslie coming across from United and keeper Reuben Harrison, formerly Ferrymead Bays, while Jacob Richards has moved to Australia and keeper Matthew Foord now with Wellington Phoenix. 

Head-to-Head: Played 4 – Royals 1 win, Technical 3 wins

Article added: Wednesday 27 March 2024