By Logan Smith
Football fans in Christchurch can watch three Southern League games this weekend, with Friday, Saturday and Sunday fixtures all taking place in the Garden City.
The action gets underway at 7pm on Friday night at Foster Park, with Selwyn United hosting FC Twenty 11 in a pivotal clash at the bottom of the table.
Saturday has both the top two sides in action away from home, with Christchurch United travelling south to play Dunedin City Royals at 12pm, while Cashmere Technical make the shorter trip crosstown to play Nomads United at Tulett Park, kicking off at 2.45pm.
Sunday’s two games start with Nelson Suburbs looking to end a frustrating run of coughing up leads at home, when they host Ferrymead Bays at midday.
Finally, at 1.30pm, Coastal Spirit face Green Island at Linfield Park.
Game of the week
Look no further than Friday night for the most exciting match-up.
Selwyn United welcome FC Twenty 11 to Foster Park for a crucial game in the relegation battle that could be decisive come end of season.
FC Twenty head into the game last on six points, with Selwyn just above them on seven points.
With the closest rivals above them being Green Island on 12 points and Nomads on 13 points, it’s looking ever more likely that the relegated team will be Selwyn or FC Twenty.
Both clubs are experienced with relegation battles, so expect a tense and feisty clash.
Player to watch
Green Island’s Canadian attacker Stefan Milidrag bagged a hat-trick of headers from set pieces against Nelson Suburbs as the visitors roared to a 5-4 comeback win.
Buoyed by the result, but also coming up against a Coastal Spirit team who also recorded a great away win, it’ll help them immensely if he can use his aerial prowess against Coastal Spirit to similar effect. But with a tall Coastal Spirit defence, don’t expect it to be easy.
Bold prediction
Right now, Cashmere Technical may be vulnerable after a 3-2 defeat to Coastal Spirit.
Nomads gave both them and United good games in the first half of the season, and I think it could be further trouble for Technical at Tulett Park.
I’ll go for an entertaining 2-2 draw.
Fixtures
Games to be played on Friday July 21, 2023
Selwyn United v FC Twenty 11
Foster Park, Rolleston, 7pm
Games to be played on Saturday July 22, 2023
Dunedin City Royals v Christchurch United
Dunedin Artificial Turf, Dunedin, 12pm
Nomads United v Cashmere Technical
Tulett Park, Christchurch, 2.45pm
Games to be played on Sunday July 23, 2023
Nelson Suburbs v Ferrymead Bays
Saxton Fields, Nelson, 12pm
Coastal Spirit v Green Island
English Park, Christchurch, 1.30pm
Logan Smith
Logan Smith is a passionate football fan and volunteer, based in Dunedin, covering the Southern League.
More football stories
