First week of the #NZNationalLeague and we've already had our first animal pitch invader, maintaining a proud kiwi football legacy 🫡 pic.twitter.com/7iL1bB1Vun
— The Niche Cache (@thenichecache) September 28, 2025
First week of the #NZNationalLeague and we've already had our first animal pitch invader, maintaining a proud kiwi football legacy 🫡 pic.twitter.com/7iL1bB1Vun
— The Niche Cache (@thenichecache) September 28, 2025
THE highlight of round one 😂
The Rams were excellent.
Especially Karunaratne with his two goals on debut.
Karunaratne always seemed a pretty decent player when I saw him playing for the WeeNix or NZ age group sides.
The coverage of Chch Utd v Auckland Utd on FIFA+ had Rob Sherman as coach of Chch Utd.
(former Technical Director of the Welsh, NZ and Aussie FA's and Fiji national coach in World Cup qualifying this year. He's lived in Christchurch since 2020 and been involved in youth coaching at Chch United since then).
Ryan Edwards is stepping down as coach to focus on his role as General Manager:
New coach to take charge as Chch United joins pro ranks | The Press
New coach to be announced for their Pro League team and their Southern League / National League side.

Big Pete 65, Christchurch
The Rams were excellent.
Especially Karunaratne with his two goals on debut.
Karunaratne always seemed a pretty decent player when I saw him playing for the WeeNix or NZ age group sides.
The coverage of Chch Utd v Auckland Utd on FIFA+ had Rob Sherman as coach of Chch Utd.
(former Technical Director of the Welsh, NZ and Aussie FA's and Fiji national coach in World Cup qualifying this year. He's lived in Christchurch since 2020 and been involved in youth coaching at Chch United since then).
Ryan Edwards is stepping down as coach to focus on his role as General Manager:
New coach to take charge as Chch United joins pro ranks | The Press
New coach to be announced for their Pro League team and their Southern League / National League side.

Edward's continues the confusion between Auckland FC and Auckland City FC. Yawn.
Nothing new here… Isa Prins is still uncontainable #NZNationalLeague pic.twitter.com/bpNtVO80YL
— The Niche Cache (@thenichecache) September 30, 2025
Noah Karunaratne with two-for on debut for Christchurch United 🐏 #NZNationalLeague pic.twitter.com/SGIRwLe0MA
— The Niche Cache (@thenichecache) September 30, 2025
Only downside of a good encounter was Western Springs coach, Hales, spent 90 minutes yelling and screaming at anything and anyone. Embarrassing.
I think both teams will be at the sharp end of the competition come the end of November.
Man, I know it’s been said on here but I wonder why the Nix have not talked to Isa Prins (maybe they have). He’s so good for such a young player
Birko vs ACFC should be a cracking game tomorrow - a real test of where Auckland City sit. Always seem to make the grand final but seem at a weak point and strained by a lot of comps this year
Semi Nabenu scored the first-ever goal in the derby for Auckland FC Reserves 👊
— NZ National League 🏆🇳🇿 (@nzleagues) October 4, 2025
Full match replay available on FIFA+ 📺#NZFootball pic.twitter.com/gDf4gLe9x0
Adam Supyk with the stoppage time winner for @WgtnOlympic #NZNationalLeague pic.twitter.com/bE1GZfXh5n
— The Niche Cache (@thenichecache) October 4, 2025
Man, I know it’s been said on here but I wonder why the Nix have not talked to Isa Prins (maybe they have). He’s so good for such a young player
My source said that Prins has bit off-putting on-field behavior, but maybe he grown out of it. Also not sure if anybody cares about that, my source has also high standards for that stuff.
To be fair nice to see some atmosphere at a NL game.
Aston Burns said g'day to The Port #NZNationalLeague pic.twitter.com/BByROcYCKj
— The Niche Cache (@thenichecache) October 4, 2025
Coastal will need a big 2nd half to salvage something from the game
Pitch is very sub par for National league, looks like a hockey turf.
Pitch is very sub par for National league, looks like a hockey turf.
Pitch is very sub par for National league, looks like a hockey turf.
Pitch is very sub par for National league, looks like a hockey turf.
Wow and I see Birko lead ACFC 3-0
Scoreline maybe a little unkind to City but Birko definitely the better side
City played last 60 minutes with 10 men after orlando Thorpe sent off on debut for DOGSO. Looked a pretty straight forward decision from where I was admittedly a long way away.
Was 1-0 at the time and City actually had the better of the game for long periods after that. Last two goals were late on through break aways as City chased the game.
Both sides missing a few by my calculations.
City looked a little flat but its quite clear they are not a patch on previous sides. Not sure how many games they have played this season but three overseas trips to various comps my be taking its toll. They will probably win more games than they lose in the league but might not be around at the sharp end.
Two players mentioned as possible A League contenders Bevan and Ellis didn't look up to that standard.
A lot of the Birko youngsters looked to struggle with the intensity at times but hung in there and got their reward.
As a side note interested to read that Auckland City are putting $900 K of their CWC money towards a pitch development at Roskill Intermedate. Think it is a $7M project
If you enjoy a bit of pace and precision then here's Kaelin Nguyen's four-bagger for Western Suburbs#NZNationalLeague pic.twitter.com/YQabWkQQZF
— The Niche Cache (@thenichecache) October 6, 2025
To be fair nice to see some atmosphere at a NL game.
Aston Burns said g'day to The Port #NZNationalLeague pic.twitter.com/BByROcYCKj
— The Niche Cache (@thenichecache) October 4, 2025
Ramming liberal dribble down your throat since 2009
This forum needs less angst and more Kate Bush threads
To be fair nice to see some atmosphere at a NL game.
Aston Burns said g'day to The Port #NZNationalLeague pic.twitter.com/BByROcYCKj
— The Niche Cache (@thenichecache) October 4, 2025
Tbf the weather was awful on Saturday and Fred Taylor is far from spectator friendly.
I was thinking of heading out but didn’t really fancy howling winds blowing sideways rain in to my face so gave it a miss.
Three for me, and two for them.
Goal of the week time ⚽️
— NZ National League 🏆🇳🇿 (@nzleagues) October 7, 2025
Which one’s your pick from Round 2 in the men’s competition?
Watch all the goals again on FIFA+: https://t.co/Lj4afee0tp#NZFootball pic.twitter.com/JS6YJQfCaX
Week two roundup of the Men's #NZNationalLeague is here:
— The Niche Cache (@thenichecache) October 6, 2025
👉 The Auckland-Wellington Derby arrived in the Nats
👉 Wellington Olympic left it late
👉 Western Suburbs had the biggest MNL victory for a decade
👉 10-man Auckland City got started with a losshttps://t.co/VAUTWk0Z6n
"You can never get a bloody tradesman at Easter, it's a wonder Jesus got crucified" - Karl Pilkington
Christchurch United skipper steps away from football
Round 3 fixtures!
Miramar vs AU should be a goodie, both decent enough teams to push for top half but already a setback for both so far.
Pressure on ACFC to win against a Wests side that nobody expected to whoop Coastal 8-0.
Chch United will be favourites against the WeeNix but you never know.
Chance for Coastal to hit back or more pain against favourites Olympic?
Springs need to prove title credentials against an Auckland FC II team they finished well above in Northern League
2-1 Auckland United
Western Suburbs and AC to draw 2-2
2-1 CU
5-0 Olympic
3-0 Springs
They were much better than CU. Maybe proving a point re the OFC Pro League
Valley FC til I die?
Our academy comes up with a big win over New Zealand's newest professional club pic.twitter.com/DYfpto8xR8
— Wellington Phoenix Academy (@WgtnPhoenixAcad) October 11, 2025
I do enjoy the spitefulness of this.
Football. What a game. 😆
Our academy comes up with a big win over New Zealand's newest professional club pic.twitter.com/DYfpto8xR8
— Wellington Phoenix Academy (@WgtnPhoenixAcad) October 11, 2025
I do enjoy the spitefulness of this.
Football. What a game. 😆
Score whenever you can.