Round two of the Southern League (SL) will see some interesting match-ups with the five losing teams in the opening round looking to turn things around.

Sunnyvale in Dunedin is the venue for the Green Island and FC Twenty11 clash and after both suffered a loss in the opening round they will be keen to open their points account. At 1.30pm, Selwyn Utd and the Dunedin City Royals face-up at Foster Park with both sides looking to claim back to back wins. The final game on Saturday sees Nomads Utd having the home advantage over Ferrymead Bays at Tulett Park. On Sunday, Coastal Spirit host Christchurch United at Linfield Park and Saxton Fields is the venue for Nelson Suburbs to face Cashmere Technical. 

Both Green Island and FC had difficult encounters going into the opening round, Green Island going down to champions Christchurch United, but they battled well after going down to early goals and created clear chances before conceding a third late in match. They will fancy their chances at home this week. FC were shown no mercy in their debut SL game against last season’s runner-ups Cashmere Technical, going down 6 – 0. No doubt FC will have gained valuable lessons from the loss. 

Form:
Green Island L
FC Twenty11 L 
Previous League Head To Head: This is the first time clubs have meet in SL 

Both Selwyn and the Royals had solid wins by three goal margins last weekend both sides will be confidant of another 3 points, however the Royals have yet to drop a point to the Stallions in the SL which will be an extra incentive for Selwyn. 

 Form:
Selwyn Utd W
Dunedin City Royals W 
Previous League Head To Head: Royals 2 Wins 

Nomads will be out to make more of their chances after a poor conversion rate in the opening round against the Royals. Bays will be looking to build on their solid start after overcoming Coastal and will strive to maintain their 100% win record over their rivals. 

Form:
Nomads L
Ferrymead Bays W 
Previous League Head To Head: Bays 2 Wins 

United should be favourites away to Coastal - who were one of five sides that failed to score in the opening round. Coastal will be hoping central defender Dominic McGarr is fit for this encounter, while United will be without suspended Aaron O’Driscoll. Both teams have former coaching staff and players in their camps which is always an added interest. 

Form:
Coastal Spirit L
Christchurch United W 
Previous League Head To Head: United 2 Wins 

Suburbs will be looking for some of their more experienced players to be available against Technical after they missed the opening round game against Selwyn. Last week there were six of the Suburbs starting line-up making their SL debut. Technical know that Suburbs are never easy to face at Saxton Field and will out to make it two wins on the bounce. 

Form:
Nelson Suburbs L
Cashmere Technical W 
Previous League Head To Head: Technical 2 Wins 

Clubs Chasing Wins In CPL

Only one win was recorded in the opening round of the New World Premiership so 3 points will be a must for most as they look to set the early pace to mount a challenge for possible promotion to the Southern League in 2024. 

Nomads Reserves were the only team to claim all the points on offer last Saturday and they have the home advantage at Tulett Park when they take on Burwood at 12:30pm. Halswell Utd host Universities at Halswell Domain, with both teams having draws in Round 1. Kendall Park is the venue for Waimak Utd to take on Parklands Utd with both these teams also on a point each. The only side to lose was Western and they will be looking to benefit from home advantage at Walter Park to turn things around when they entertain Cashmere Technical Reserves,. The latter three games all commencing at 2:45pm. 

New World Championship Kicks-Off

The ten team – 8 club (Ferrymead Bays and Universities have two teams) New World Championship Men’s league kicks off on Saturday with all games commencing at 12:30pm. 

Ferrymead Bays Reserves take on their Waimak counterparts at Ferrymead Park. Just across the estuary, Coastal Spirit SAS U20 face Selwyn Reserves at Cuthberts Green. The Universities 2nds entertain the Christchurch United U20 at Ilam Fields. Halswell Domain is the venue for the Halswell Reverses to play Universities 3rds and at Avonhead Park, FC Twenty11 Reserves square off against the Bays Keen Lads.

Article added: Wednesday 29 March 2023