Results expected to run to form in this weekend’s Southern League match-ups

posted in: News, Southern League |

By Logan Smith

The top three of Christchurch United, Cashmere Technical and Dunedin City Royals will all hope to return to winning ways this Saturday, taking on opponents from the bottom four on the Southern League table.

Green Island get the round rolling at midday on Saturday, hosting formidable league leaders Christchurch United at Sunnyvale Park in Dunedin.

Later, at 1.30pm, an improving Nomads United welcome third-placed Dunedin City Royals to town, with the visitors looking to keep pace with the top two and bounce back from a shock Chatham Cup exit at the hands of Wanaka.

Finally, at 2.45pm, home side Cashmere Tech are expected to be too strong for last-place FC Twenty 11 at Garrick Memorial, having thumped them 6-0 in Round 1 and rediscovered better form of late.

Sunday brings two fixtures, both at midday. Selwyn United make the trip north to play Nelson Suburbs at Saxtons Fields, while Coastal Spirit host Ferrymead Bays in an interesting top-half showdown.

Game of the week

Coastal Spirit’s form has gone under the radar, notching five consecutive wins across all competitions before defeat to Cashmere Tech in cup action last weekend.

It’s seen them narrow the gap to second place down to four points, and they’ll want to keep pushing for that.

Ferrymead Bays started hot but had a shocking few games where they conceded a whopping 15 goals.

With recent wins against Green Island and FC Twenty 11, they may be getting back in their groove, and a win here against Coastal could really reignite their season.

Round 1 saw Ferrymead run out 3-0 winners, but with both teams form shifting around aplenty since then, it’s a tough matchup to pick. I’ll have Coastal to triumph 2-1.

Player to watch

Garbhan Coughlan tends to steal the headlines in terms of Cashmere Technical attackers, but Aidan Barbour-Ryan (25) has been another dangerous player for them this season without quite turning his efforts into significant goalscoring output.

Their home game against FC Twenty 11 may present a chance for him and other Cashmere Tech players to shine in a lower-pressure game against an opponent likely to sit deep and try to defend the whole game.

Bold prediction

Selwyn’s recent form has been highly concerning, with six consecutive defeats leaving them right in the trenches of a relegation battle as they prepare for their away game against Nelson Suburbs.

Nelson tends to be an unforgiving away trip for most teams, and Suburbs have put up some big scorelines in both the Southern League and Chatham Cup recently.

I’ve got them winning this one by at least four goals.