By Logan Smith
A unique scheduling has seen three of the Southern League’s five Round 8 matches scheduled on Friday night, all crosstown clashes between Christchurch clubs.
At 7pm, league leaders Christchurch United will be confident of taking another three points at home to lowly FC Twenty 11, while a Selwyn side on a four-game losing streak host Coastal Spirit at Foster Park.
United’s game will be live-streamed (see below).
At 7.15pm, a Ferrymead Bays team, in topsy-turvy form of late, welcome second-placed Cashmere Technical to Ferrymead Park.
Cashmere will be eager to return to winning ways after a surprise loss to Dunedin City Royals.
Saturday brings only one fixture, with Dunedin City Royals taking on Green Island at Dunedin’s Football Turf in an exciting local showdown at 2.45pm.
Then on Sunday at midday, Nelson Suburbs are at home to last-placed Nomads United.
Game of the week
Everyone loves a local derby, and there’ll be a good one at the Football Turf in Dunedin on Saturday.
The Dunedin City Royals will come in buoyant after a terrific away win against Cashmere Tech, and confident having won all three Southern League encounters against Green Island to date.
However, the visitors arrive off the back of thumping Selwyn 4-1, and now set their sights on stopping an in-form Royals team in its tracks.
With local bragging rights on the line and a catalogue of entertaining matches between these two sides in the past, it’s certainly one to keep an eye on.
Player to watch
Striker Omar Cameron was an intimidating aerial presence for Coastal against Nomads, and bagged himself two first-half goals that ultimately helped them seal victory. He also scored a double in their Chatham Cup fixture against Burwood.
He’ll want to put in another good shift on Friday against Selwyn, but it’ll be fascinating to see how he goes against a Selwyn defence known for their physicality and aerial prowess.
Bold prediction
Although Selwyn and Coastal Spirit have both struggled for goals so far, the teams are relatively evenly matched and had two memorable clashes in 2022, with Selwyn netting two late goals to draw 2-2 in the first and scoring in the 94th minute to win 4-3 in the return fixture.
I think this could be the day where the floodgates open for both teams in the final third, and we’ll see an absolute goal fest.
Who clinches the spoils is anybody’s guess, but I’m tipping a 3-3 draw.
Fixtures
Games to be played on Friday May 19, 2023
Selwyn United v Coastal Spirit
Foster Park, Rolleston, 7pm
Christchurch United v FC Twenty 11
United Sports Centre, Christchurch, 7pm
READ MORE: Match programme for Christchurch United v FC Twenty 11 >>>>
Ferrymead Bays v Cashmere Technical
Ferrymead Park, Ferrymead, 7.15pm
Game to be played on Saturday May 20, 2023
Dunedin City Royals v Green Island
Dunedin Artificial Turf, Dunedin, 2.45pm
Games to be played on Sunday May 21, 2023
Nelson Suburbs v Nomads United
Saxton Fields, Nelson, 12pm
Logan Smith
Logan Smith is a passionate football fan and volunteer, based in Dunedin, covering the Southern League.
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