Women's SI Qualifying League Kicks Off

The Women's South Island Qualifying League, formerly the Mainland Women's Premier League kicks off on Saturday with the league again comprising seven teams and played over one round, with change from season seeing the top three sides qualifying for the South Island League, with the fourth-placed team then playing-off against the third-placed team from the Southern Football league to complete the make of the six-team South Island League which will commence on late June. 

There have also been some changes to the make-up of the seven teams with Cashmere Technical, Coastal Spirit SAS, Nelson Suburbs, Selwyn and Universities of Canterbury (UC) all back, with Halswell United now back as their entity after working with Christchurch United last season, with a new combined team - NW United with Nomads - (who combined with FC Twenty11 last season) and Waimak now working together. 

Round 1 sees NW United, who will be coached by Mike de Bono, have a tough first-up encounter against defending champions Technical at Kendall Park, with Foster Park the venue when Selwyn takes on UC, will all three games having midday kickoffs. Halswell United face Suburbs at Halswell Domain on Sunday. Coastal has the bye in the opening round.

Unbeaten Side Clash In Southern League

Round 2 of the Southern League (SL) sees four of the sides that gained maximum points in the opening round drawn together. Nelson Suburbs and Coastal Spirit, the early pace-setters after big wins in the opening round meet on Sunday at Saxton Field at 12:30 pm. In Christchurch, Ferrymead Bays host Christchurch United - both chasing back-to-back wins, at Ferrymead Park at 2:45 pm. Garrick Memorial Park is the venue when Cashmere Technical are out to double their points when facing bottomed-placed FC Twenty 11 and at English Park, Universities of Canterbury (UC) take on Selwyn, with both looking to open their points account. Nomads entertain Dunedin City Royals at Tulett Park at 2 pm with both looking to turn around first-up losses. 

In what will be the key match-up of the round both Nelson Suburbs and Coastal Spirit will come into the game full of confidence after racking up big wins against FC and Selwyn respectively without giving up a goal. The head-to-head stats are all square, a win each and two draws.   

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

Ferrymead Bays are chasing their first SL win over Christchurch United, with Bays knowing that they made it hard work for themselves in the opening round against UC after not making the most of their first-half scoring chances. United were untroubled to account for Nomads last week and will be favoured to make it two on the bounce.  

Head-to-Head: Played 4 – 1 Draw, United 3 wins 

Both Nomads United and Dunedin City Royals will be out to secure all the points on offer to move clear of the bottom end of the table. Nomads have yet to post a win against their Dunedin rivals who will be the better after a solid workout out against Technical in Round 1. 

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

Cashmere Technical will be clear favourites against FC Twenty 11 after round 1 results. Technical picked up a good away win over the Royals, with FC overrun against Suburbs and it will be a massive upset if FC can take what would be their first SL point off Technical.  

Head-to-Head: Played 2 – Technical 2 Wins 

Promoted UC will be out to claim their first SL point when they take on Selwyn. UC will be buoyed by their one-goal loss to Bays last weekend with Selwyn looking for a full 90 minute effort this time out after leaking six goals in the first 45 minutes, first up against Coastal. 

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

New World Premiership Underway

The New World Premiership League commences on Saturday with the league now increased to 10 teams and played over 18 rounds. In comes the Christchurch United U20 Academy, promoted after winning the Canterbury Championship, along with the Reserve sides from both Ferrymead Bays and Selwyn. Last season's winner of the league, Universities of Canterbury is now in the Southern League after winning the promotion play-off series.     

Round 1 games will all kick off at midday with Bays Res. v Waimak at Ferrymead Park. Nomads Res. host the United U20 Academy in a derby game at Tulett Park. The Cashmere Technical Res. have Western first up at Garrick Memorial Park and Parklands Reserve is the venue when Parklands take on Selwyn Res. and just down the road at Clare Park, Burwood entertain Halswell.  

Article added: Friday 05 April 2024