Christchurch heavyweights meet as Women’s South Island rolls into fourth round

By Logan Smith

Coastal Spirit and Cashmere Technical will face off in a crucial title race fixture as the Women’s South Island League ventures into its fourth round of action with three Matariki games.

Earlier, at 12.30pm, Dunedin City Royals will look to keep themselves in title contention against winless UC Football at the Dunedin Artificial Turf, while Nelson Suburbs host Otago University at Saxton Fields.

In the highlight fixture, it’s Coastal Spirit against Cashmere Technical at English Park, kicking off at 2.45pm.

Game of the week

Coastal Spirit and Cashmere Technical both harbour serious title ambitions, and their clash looks to be pivotal in what will only be a ten-round league.

Coastal Spirit have been the dominant team in Cantabrian women’s football in recent years, winning the Mainland competition on six consecutive occasions from 2017 to 2022.

But it’s Cashmere Technical on top so far in the Women’s South Island League, with three wins in three games compared to Coastal’s one win and one loss.

Both come in off a superb result — Coastal Spirit securing passage to the Kate Sheppard Cup semi-finals with a 1-0 win over the Royals, while Cashmere’s last game saw them smash Otago University 6-0.

*New Zealand U-20 international and Wellington Phoenix player Alyssa Whinham is currently turning out for Coastal Spirit. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / Phototek.*

Player to watch

Wellington Phoenix youngster Alyssa Whinham (19) is spending the A-League off-season at Coastal Spirit, and made a real difference against the Royals last Sunday, scoring the only goal of the game and showing her creativity and willingness to run at defenders.

Backing up into a big league game, she could be a key figure once again for Coastal Spirit should she take the field against Cashmere Technical.