By Logan Smith
Table-toppers Christchurch United face a tough challenge for their 100% record on Saturday against a Ferrymead Bays team that gave them real trouble last season.
READ MORE: Last weekend’s results >>>>
The round kicks off on Friday night, with Selwyn United taking on Cashmere Tech under the lights at Foster Park.
Saturday features an early start at 11am, with last-placed Nomads hosting a Green Island team still yet to win away since the inception of the Southern League.
In a game streamed by New Zealand Football, Dunedin City Royals host FC Twenty 11 at the Football Turf in Dunedin.
The late kickoff sees Ferrymead Bays host Christchurch United at Ferrymead Park.
The final game of the round comes on Sunday, with Nelson Suburbs hosting Coastal Spirit in an interesting midtable matchup.
Game of the week
Christchurch United have notched up five wins in five Southern League games so far, but on Saturday will face a Ferrymead Bays team that had their number at times last season.
Bays knocked United out of both the Chatham Cup and English Cup in 2022, and also took points off them with a draw in the Southern League.
Now a part of the chasing pack behind the top two, they’ll be determined to repeat the feat against a Christchurch United team that needed late winning goals in the last two rounds.
Player to watch
Nelson Suburbs youngster Alex Ward posed constant problems to the visiting Royals defence in Round 5 and got his just rewards with a goal that opened the scoring in the 57th minute.
With Suburbs at home again this round, it’ll be another chance for him to put on a strong performance in front of a home crowd.
READ MORE: Read Nelson Suburbs’ match programme for Coastal Spirit fixture >>>>
Bold prediction
Coastal Spirit have been excellent recently, recording away wins over Green Island and FC Twenty 11 with an impressive draw with Cashmere Tech in the middle.
Their opponents, Nelson Suburbs, have struggled to get going in 2023 and are yet to deliver a full 90-minute performance, and I think Coastal Spirit will come away with the victory despite Suburbs’ impressive home record over recent seasons.
One more thing …
The Southern League has two games you can watch live online this weekend.
This weekend’s live-streamed match on NZ Football’s YouTube channel is the Saturday lunchtime clash between Dunedin City Royals and FC Twenty 11.
You can watch it here:
Saturday’s match between Nomads United and Green Island will be live-streamed by the home club at 11am on Saturday.
You can watch it here:
Fixtures
Game to be played Friday April 28, 2023
Southern League
Selwyn United v Cashmere Technical
Foster Park, Rolleston, 7pm
Games to be played on Saturday April 29, 2023
Nomads United v Green Island
Tulett Park, Bishopdale, 11am
Dunedin City Royals v FC Twenty 11
Dunedin Artificial Turf, Dunedin, 12pm
Ferrymead Bays v Christchurch United
Ferrymead Park, Ferrymead, 2.45pm
Game to be played on Sunday April 30, 2023
Nelson Suburbs v Coastal Spirit
Saxton Fields, Nelson, 12pm
READ MORE: Read Nelson Suburbs’ match programme for Coastal Spirit fixture >>>>
Logan Smith
Logan Smith is a passionate football fan and volunteer, based in Dunedin, covering the Southern League.
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