PREVIEW: Top teams’ clash could shape Women’s South Island League title race

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By Logan Smith

A long-awaited league clash between the powers of South Island women’s football awaits this Sunday in the Women’s South Island League, with Cashmere Technical and Dunedin City Royals facing off at Garrick Memorial Park.

The league will reach its halfway mark after this round, with every team having faced each other and now wiser ahead of the remaining matches.

First up on Saturday, the competition’s bottom three, all still winless, will each attempt to secure victory for the first time in the 2024 edition of the league.

Roslyn-Wakari are up against it at home to Coastal Spirit, who will now hope to build momentum after stunning Cashmere Technical 2-1.

*Joy for the Coastal Spirit coaching staff after beating Cashmere Technical. Photo credit: Jim Watts Photography / @jimwattsphoto*

Elsewhere, Nelson Suburbs will be grateful for a home game after three games in a row on the road, and know they can move off the bottom of the table if they beat Otago University.

On Sunday, all eyes will be on Garrick Memorial Park as free-scoring Cashmere Technical welcome a Dunedin City Royals team that just keep on finding a way to win, now up to 14 wins on the trot this year.

Game of the Week

The clashes between Cashmere and the Dunedin City Royals have looked like title deciders for a while, but things might not be that simple now with the Coastal Spirit now firmly in the race after beating the former last time out.

Dunedin City Royals go into this round as league leaders, but know this will come under immense pressure as Cashmere, unbeaten at home, look to make amends not only for disappointment against Coastal Spirit, but also a Kate Sheppard Cup exit at the hands of the Royals.

Additionally, with a much superior goal difference to their title rivals, Cashmere know they can reclaim first place with a win.

Such a scenario could see them, the Royals and Coastal Spirit all going into the second half of the Women’s South Island League with twelve points each.

Expect sparks to fly in this one.

*Tussle for possession during Coastal Spirit’s match with Cashmere Technical. Photo credit: Jim Watts Photography / @jimwattsphoto*

Player to watch

Midfielder Anna McPhie has been a key player, lighting things up for Cashmere Technical in 2024.

Having moved to the club after captaining Nelson Suburbs last year, she’s made an instant impact, slotting into the team well and finding the back of the net with regularity in addition to her midfield duties.

Cashmere know they’ll need a strong performance to break down the Royals and secure a much-needed three points, so McPhie’s contribution could be crucial.

Bold prediction

It would be quite extraordinary, but we’re merely a couple of games away from half the league being winless at the halfway mark.

Roslyn-Wakari should succumb to an emboldened Coastal Spirit, which means that a draw between Nelson Suburbs and Otago University would produce that outcome.

And I think it will too — I’m picking it’ll be a 1-1 draw in that game, with Coastal Spirit easing to victory elsewhere.

Golden Boot

4 — Margi Dias (Cashmere Technical), Emma Kench (Cashmere Technical)
3 — Mel Cameron (Coastal Spirit), Anna McPhie (Cashmere Technical)
2 — Aimee Phillips (Cashmere Technical), Bel Van Noorden (Coastal Spirit), Rose Morton (Dunedin City Royals), Reagan Potter (Dunedin City Royals), Zara Pratley (Roslyn Wakari), Rosie Hayman (Cashmere Technical), Annalie Longo (Cashmere Technical), Lainey Altieri-Need (Cashmere Technical), Hannah Mackay-Wright (Dunedin City Royals)