PREVIEW: Under-the-pump Christchurch United face testing trip to Dunedin

posted in: News, Southern League |

By Logan Smith

Defending champions Christchurch United are under pressure to stay in touch with the Southern League’s leading pair, Cashmere Technical and Coastal Spirit.

With two qualifying places for the Men’s National League up for grabs, United need to get a result at Dunedin City Royals’ Tahuna Park on Saturday, especially as their rivals are expected to pick up wins.

The round is spread across three cities and both days of the weekend, allowing ample opportunity for football fans in the South Island to catch a game or two.

Again, three matches will be streamed on the FIFA+ platform, including both of Sunday’s games.

First up on Saturday, the Dunedin City Royals host Christchurch United and while the visitors desperately need victory, it’s been four matches unbeaten at this ground for the Royals in 2024.

Later, FC Twenty 11 continue to chase their first point in hosting top-half side Ferrymead Bays, while Selwyn United face a steep challenge against Cashmere Technical at Foster Park.

The other two fixtures are saved for Sunday, with Nelson Suburbs hoping to improve their inconsistent form at home to UC Football, and Coastal Spirit are favoured to beat Nomads at Linfield Park.

*Zachary Bennett scores the late winner for Christchurch United against UC Football last week. Photo credit: Jim Watts Photography / @jimwattsphoto*

Game of the week

While it may have been ‘job done’ for Christchurch United against UC Football last week, their hopes of gaining ground on second-placed Coastal Spirit were dashed as the Spirit defeated leaders Cashmere Technical.

Hence the pressure remains on United, with any points dropped anywhere potentially fatal to their National League hopes from now, with Cashmere and Coastal likely to win most of their remaining games.

Enter Dunedin City Royals; the Southern region’s only club in the league have had a topsy-turvy season, but generally are much better at home than they are away.

United should win this one; after all, they won the reverse fixture 5-0, but expect the Royals to provide a stronger test this time.

Player to watch

While the final score of Nomads 2-0 win over FC Twenty 11 may point to a lacklustre offensive performance from the hosts, compared to the winning margins posted by most teams against the cellar dwellers, it certainly wasn’t for a lack of chances created.

One player who showed his creative abilities was forward Cooper Goldsmith (20), who made a rare start and fashioned a few chances for his side.

This Sunday, he’ll face his former club, Coastal Spirit, who are flying at the moment and pose a big test for Nomads.

If Goldsmith is given another start, he could make an impact.

Bold prediction

I may have wrongly tipped UC Football to draw with Christchurch United last weekend, but they gave the Rams a very close match and only lost 1-0 to an 88th-minute winner from Zachary Bennett.

Hence I’m going to back them for another surprise result, considering Nelson Suburbs have been inconsistent and struggled defensively again this year.

I’m picking UC will be celebrating a 3-2 win on the flight back to Christchurch.

Golden Boot

18 — Garbhan Coughlan (Cashmere Technical)
14 — Alejandro Steinwascher (Coastal Spirit)
11 — Joel Stevens (Christchurch United)
9 — Lyle Matthysen (Cashmere Technical), Lennon Whewell (Nelson Suburbs), Trevin Myers (Nelson Suburbs)
8 — Jack Hallahan (Cashmere Technical), Satsuki Ito (Ferrymead Bays), Flynn Holdem (Nomads United)
7 — Spencer Barber (Nelson Suburbs), David Yoo (Christchurch United)
6 — Will Turner (Dunedin City Royals)