The Southern League (SL) started with the look of a ‘new season’ – debut players adjusting to the added pace, teams struggling to string passes together - with nearly thirty players making their league debuts. However in the end, five comfortable wins were recorded. Cashmere Technical recorded the biggest win when accounting for newcomers FC Twenty11, 6 – 0. Christchurch United, Ferrymead Bays and the Dunedin City Royals all record 3 – 0 results over, Green Island, Coastal Spirit and Nomads United respectively with Selwyn United proving too strong for Nelson Suburbs 4 – 1.

It was a somewhat tough welcome to the SL for promoted FC against Technical. Last season’s Golden Boot winner, Garbhan Coughlan, opened his account for the season in the 13th minute and added then a second 20 minutes later. Declan Tyndall extending the lead in first half added time. On the hour mark, Coughlan bagged two more quick goals in the space of three minutes with Zander Edwards coming into the game off the bench to complete the scoring.

The 2022 Champions, Christchurch United, looked to be heading for a big win when leading 2 – 0 midway into the opening half. The same fixture last season saw United win 9 – 1. To Green Island’s credit, they dug deep at the break with only several great saves from Frewen Watts – standing in for regular stopper Scott Morris, who was on International duties with the NZ Under 23 side – keeping the Dunedin side scoreless. Sam Philip, who last played in Christchurch three season ago for Nomads before playing college football in the United States, put United in front early in the game with a second goal coming 10 minutes later when Aaron O’Driscoll headed home from a corner. The third goal came for a quick counter attack that saw Philip’s score his second goal. United finishing the game a player down after O’Driscoll received his second yellow deep in added time.

It was a somewhat new look to the Nelson Suburbs side with several of the senior players not available to travel south for various reason and Selwyn, with the more ‘settled’ side, made the most of this. Liam Coleman, formerly at Coastal, opened the scoring after just two minutes before Ben Polak replied with a goal for Suburbs five minutes later. Just before the break Scott McKay put Selwyn back into the lead. On the hour Jamie Carrodus extended the Stallions margin with Darius van Wyk wrapping up the three points win completing the scoring late in the game.  

The Royals made the most of several early wasted chances by Nomads to slowly take control of the game and deservedly took the lead when Tyler Muir broke the deadlock ten minutes before the break. Both teams had chances when play resumed before Ben Stanley doubling the Royals lead from a corner at a pivotal movement in the game. Stanley played a big part in the third goal when he was allowed to run unchecked by several rivals before going into penalty box before being fouled. Connor Neil stepped up to take the resulting penalty but had his initial shot blocked by Nomads keeper Tobin Wilson. Neil did slot home the rebound before the officials ruled that Wilson had moved early asking the spot kick to be retaken. Neil was untroubled to slot home his second chance. Nomads finished the stronger but could not find the back of the net.

There was an added edge to Friday night fixture between Bays and Coastal as both teams having former players of their opposition in their line-ups. It was former Coastal player, Cameron Rean who had the honour of scoring the first goal of the new season in the opening ten minutes. Rean then added a second midway into the opening half. Bays captain, James Deehan completed the scoring from the penalty spot early in the second half after Daniel Thoms was fouled in the area. Coastals caused was not helped with experienced defender, Dom McGarr unavailable for the game. 

In the upcoming round Green Island face FC, Selwyn host the Royals and Nomads take on Bays - these three games are being played on Saturday. On Sunday Coastal take on United and Suburbs entertain Technical. 

Southern League Round 1 - Results / Scorers

Cashmere Technical 6 (Garbhan Coughlan 4, DeclanTyndall, Zander Edwards)
FC Twenty11 0
HT 3 - 0

Christchurch United 3 (Sam Philip 2, Aaron O'Driscoll)
Green Island 0
HT 2 – 0

Ferrymead Bays 3 (Cameron Rean 2, James Deehan - pen)
Coastal Spirit 0
HT 2 - 0

Dunedin City Royals 3 (Tyler Muir, Benjamin Stanley, Connor Neil - pen)
Nomads 0
HT 1 - 0

Selwyn 4 (Liam Coleman, Scott McKay, Jamie Carrodus, Darius Van Wyk)
Nelson Suburbs 1 (Ben Polak)
HT 2 - 1    

Nomads Reserves Set Early Pace In CPL

The Nomads Reserves have set the early pace in the New World Premiership as they were the only side to record a win in the opening round when they accounted for Western 4 – 0, with the other three games all ending in stalemates. Parklands and Halswell ended 1 – 1, Waimak and Cashmere Technical Reserves finishing 2 – 2 with both Universities and Burwood unable to score when they meet.

Matias Gidden scored in the opening minutes put Nomads ahead. Then with two goals in the space of four minutes to Angus McIntyre and Yaquub Abdi saw Nomads well in control at the break. A fourth goal from Joseph Lowe just after the break ensured the win.  

On Friday evening, Waimak made the most of home advantage to open the scoring when Mitch Quigley found the back of the net in the closing minutes of the first half. Technical levelled early in the 2nd half when Daniel Hayman scored. Team mate Finbar Gallaway then put in his side ahead with fifteen to play before Luke Fraser locked the scoreboard up with six minutes to play. 

Parklands took the lead when Jesse Ruwhiu scored in the 27th minute. James Price replied for Halswell on the stroke of half time. Chances went begging for both sides after the break to end the deadlock but without success. Both Universities and Burwood could not break down either sides defence with Burwood having to see out a final hectic mintues after they went a player down after Terry Smith received his second yellow card late in the game. 

Round two has Waimak facing Parklands on Friday evening. On Saturday Western face Technical, Halswell host Universities and Nomads entertain Burwood. 

New World Premiership – Results / Scorers

Parklands 1 (Jesse Ruwhiu)
Halswell 1 (James Price)
HT 1 - 1

Universities 0
Burwood 0

Waimak 2 (Mitchell Quigley, Luke Fraser)
Cashmere Technical Reserves 2 (Daniel Hayman, Finbar Gallaway)
HT 1 - 0 

Western 0
Nomads Reserves 4 (Matias Gidden, Angus McIntyre, Yaquub Abdi, Joseph Lowe)
HT 0 - 3

Article added: Monday 27 March 2023