Round 2 of the Southern League sees the four unbeaten sides from the opening weekend going head-to-head, with the remaining sides out to open their points account. Early leaders, Nelson Suburbs, travel south to play Cashmere Technical at Garrick Memorial Park at 2 pm. Christchurch United hosts Dunedin City Royals at the Christchurch Football Centre at midday. Coastal Spirit takes on Selwyn at Linfield Park at 2:45 pm, with Selwyn hopefully recovered from their Covid cases. At 12:30 pm in Dunedin, Green Island meet Nomads at Sunnyvale Park with Memorial Park, the venue where Mosgiel entertain Ferrymead Bays. 

Both United and the Royals had to work hard for their wins in Round 1, with United scoring deep into added time to edge Coastal 3 – 2. The Royals' scoreline was more comfortable, but Mosgiel kept them honest. United will be out to make more of the chances they created in the opening round, with the Royals looking to take a positive result to stay in the top half of the table.  

Form: Christchurch United W                             Dunedin City Royals W 

Technical have their first outing at ‘home’ since lifting the Chatham Cup earlier in the month, so they will welcome their rivals Suburbs, with both clubs having built evident mutual respect, both on and off the field in recent seasons. Technical made the most of their chances to defeat Bays on Saturday, with Suburbs, who at times have had a slow start to the season, always appeared to be in control over Green Island.     

Form: Cashmere Technical W                             Nelson Suburbs W 

While coming away empty-handed against United, Coastal will have taken plenty of positives from the game to build on. Selwyn may be short of a run after Covid hit their squad, but undoubtedly, having a chance to lift the Hurley Shield off Coastal will give them an added lift going into the game. 

Form: Coastal Spirit L                                           Selwyn p/p 

Nomads, who were due to play Selwyn in Round 1, will be looking to get their season underway when they meet Green Island. Both sides did not recruit heavily in the offseason, and a tight tussle may be on the cards as first points are on the line. 

Form: Green Island L                                             Nomads p/p 

Mosgiel and Bays are also out to open their account. Both showed in the opening round that they could take the game to their rivals. However, luck was against both, which denied them finding the back of the net after periods of dominance. An even match is expected to be on the cards. 

Form: Mosgiel L                                                      Ferrymead Bays L 

Written by Gavin Searle. 
Article added: Thursday 31 March 2022