PREVIEW: Must-win games keep focus on Women's South Island League

By Logan Smith

Much is on the line this weekend in the Women’s South Island League, with Cashmere Technical likely needing to beat Coastal Spirit to stay in the title race.

Trailing the Dunedin City Royals by six points but having a game in hand, they know the outcome of the league title is still in their hands as they face the Royals next weekend and boast a much superior goal difference.

All three matches kick off at 12.30pm on Saturday, so expect that Cashmere, Coastal and the Royals will all keep an eye on what is playing out elsewhere.

Roslyn-Wakari are the nominal home team against Otago University at the Football Turf, and the match might well end up deciding fourth place with both sides sitting on five points with one game after this to go.

In Christchurch, Cashmere Technical take on Coastal Spirit at English Park, with three points critical for both teams to finish the season well.

Up north, Nelson Suburbs will attempt the upset of the season, welcoming a high-flying albeit fatigued Dunedin City Royals outfit to Saxton Fields.

Game of the week

Considering form, reigning champions Cashmere Technical will expect the Dunedin City Royals to be successful and take three points on their travels to Nelson.

Therefore, it’s looks imperative that the holders beat third-placed Coastal Spirit in an all-Christchurch showdown, otherwise their title hopes are likely to be dashed and the Royals could be celebrating on their long trip back home.

The Spirit have improved substantially against Cashmere since the coaching team led by Kelly Almond took charge, with a 2-1 win in the reverse fixture and a 3-2 loss in the Reta Fitzpatrick Cup.

Expect a lot of desire from both teams at English Park on Saturday.

*Action from last weekend’s game between Coastal Spirit and Nelson Suburbs. Photo credit: Jim Watts Photography / @jimwattsphoto*

Player to watch

Captain Rose Morton is having a strong season for the Dunedin City Royals, and has helped them to the top of the Women’s South Island League table with her wide range of attributes.

Not only is she the Royals top scorer in the competition with six goals, but Morton offers other crucial qualities such as anticipation of play, a high work rate and creative passing.

The league leaders have played a lot of football lately, and her work rate could be crucial in midfield as the Royals seek to claim three points on the road against Nelson Suburbs.

Bold prediction

They’ve encountered a few setbacks since a super start to the season, but Cashmere Technical are still a talented side and have plenty to play for with the league title up for grabs and the Reta Fitzpatrick Cup final coming up too.

While it’s clear that Coastal Spirit have made strides of improvement since a shaky start to the season, I just think Cashmere’s determination to win and quality in the final third will tip the clash in their favour.

Let’s say 4-2 to Technical — a result that will effectively turn next weekend’s clash against the Royals into a final.

Golden Boot

7 — Mel Cameron (Coastal Spirit)
6 — Rose Morton (Dunedin City Royals), Anna McPhie (Cashmere Technical), Annalie Longo (Cashmere Technical)
5 — Lara Wall (Cashmere Technical)
4 — Margi Dias (Cashmere Technical), Emma Kench (Cashmere Technical)
3 — Whitney Hepburn (Coastal Spirit), Bel Van Noorden (Coastal Spirit), Holly Lyon (Coastal Spirit), Shontelle Smith (Dunedin City Royals)
2 — Aimee Phillips (Cashmere Technical), Raegan Potter (Dunedin City Royals), Zara Pratley (Roslyn Wakari), Rosie Hayman (Cashmere Technical), Lainey Altieri-Need (Cashmere Technical), Hannah Mackay-Wright (Dunedin City Royals), Denva Perrott (Cashmere Technical), Giselle Rynvos (Nelson Suburbs), Jemma Wilson (Roslyn Wakari), Nieve Collin (Dunedin City Royals), Aynsley Martin (Otago University)