Southern League 2026

Honestly, if Ferrymead qualify for the National League Championship, I don't think they'll be bothered too much by Cashmere winning the SL.

Some stats from Round 8 (only 18 Round season's)

Cashmere Technical the 1st to reach 200 league points, currently on 201
Technical maintain their unbeaten run 'away' to Coastal - 3 wins and 2 draws
Nelson Suburbs picked up their first 'away' win against United
By defeating Northern, DC Royals ensured that they did not create a new record for their longest winless streak - currently two periods of 6 games 
The draw between Nomads and Ferrymead Bays ensured Bays remain unbeaten on the 'road' this season

The average number of goals per game is currently 3.82, in the previous four season the average has been 4.17 or higher.    

One of the major talking points so far this season, is the form (or lack of) for Christchurch United.

After the latest round United find themselves in 7th place, on 8 points - 16 behind arch-rivals, Cashmere Technical at the top of the table. 

In the previous four seasons their worst place ever on the table, at the end of a round during the season, has been third and normally sitting in the top two - while only finishing outside the top two at the end of a season, but in 2024. Over those four seasons - 72 games, they scored an average of 3.81 goals while only conceding 0.81 at and average of 2.49 points per game. In only three of the 72 games they failed to score, while having 38 clean sheets. Amazing stats and always likely to dip slightly over time. 

This season so far scoring an average of 1.25 per game, conceding 1.38 and averaging a point per game. Surprisingly United are the only team that have not scored in the final ten minutes of a SL game this season.  

As the old saying goes, which has been attributed to the great coach, Bill Shankley - "Form is temporary, class is permanent", so with 30 points still up for grabs still time for United regain form and start climbing up the table. 

No doubt United will be looking to bolster their squad in the coming weeks, including players free from commitments in any teams in OFC Pro League. 

But the midpoint of the league almost here, three points in their game against Coastal Spirit on Saturday at the United Sports Centre will be vital. 

Round 9 
Saturday 23 May
Midday
Northern vs. Selwyn - Caledonian Ground
12:45pm
Dunedin City Royals vs. Cashmere Technical - Tahuna Park
2:45pm
Wanaka vs. Nomads - Recreation City
5:00pm
Christchurch United vs. Coastal Spirit - United Spirit Centre 
Sunday
Midday
Nelson Suburbs vs. Ferrymead Bays - Saxton Fields 

Only two games on FIFA+ this weekend.

Christchurch United vs. Coastal Spirit - Saturday at 5pm. A huge game for both teams, with United needing the three points, to keep in contact the defending titleholders. A lost for United will mean they will have a big battle on their hands to secure one of the two automatic Southern League spots for the winter National League in 2027. Compared to recent season's both sides have struggled find the back of the net while also conceding too many goals - both currently sitting on a negative goal difference. The stats are all square in clashed at the United Sports Centre, two wins each and 7 - 7 in the goals. A quirk of the draws means this is the first time since the league returned to a ten- team format that there is only one game being played in Christchurch. 

The other FIFA+ game is on Sunday, Nelson Suburbs vs. Ferrymead Bays. Suburbs will be out to maintain their perfect over Bays at Saxton Fields - two goals Suburbs will see them reach 200 goals sine 2022. A positive result for Bays would see them remain unbeaten on the 'road' this season and maintain their great start to the season. 

 

If I am remembering correctly if United finish 2+ spots behind Coastal they'll lose their 2027 NL spot to Coastal so this has quite a lot of stakes

HT Northern 2 Selwyn 0

Just on half-time Dunedin City Royal 0 Cashmere Technical 4

FT Northern 3 Selwyn 1 

Early in 2nd half-time now DC Royals 0 Cashmere Technical 6 

I'm not saying I'm happy seeing the Royals get blown out, however after being jeered at by old men while leaving the game last week I will say that my sympathy is not the highest

Anyway good bounce back win for Northern. Wasn't able to attend but exactly the result needed for a bounce back. Obviously they are from the best team in the comp right now but still

FT Dunedin City Royals 0 Cashmere Technical 6

Late in opening half between Wanaka and Nomads with Nomads going down to ten men after a 'red' in the 19th minute but scored in the 33rd min. to lead 1 - 0.

HT Wanaka 0 Nomads 2

FT Wanaka 0 Nomads 2

Results / scorers:
Southern League

Dunedin City Royals 0 Cashmere Technical 6 (Garbhan Coughlan x 3, Yuya Taguchi x 2, Zander Edwards) HT 0 - 5 

Northern 3 (Alex Dale, Joshua Kotkamp, Toby Orchiston) Selwyn 1 (Finlay Cotton) HT 2 - 0 

Wanaka 0 Nomads 2 (Kenny Willox, Flynn Holdem) HT 0 - 2

 

 

HT Christchurch United 0 Coastal Spirit 0

I just wanna say I'm watching CU vs Coastal and during HT I look up and this kid (~11yo) is trying to score a penalty against 3 keepers. This is an injustice on the kid and I won't stand for it!

I'm sure the Northern lads on the sidelines were giving plenty during the game... and 6-0 is a blowout in another season but business as usual for Cashmere this season.

Regardless of todays results, Northerns best team in decades still lost to probably the weakest Royals team since the clubs amalgamation!

Yeah, no excuses there, should've pulled that off in my opinion. We rematch in just over two months (Rd16) so we'll just have to get our revenge then.

Also yeah this is basically business as usual for Cashmere. Hope they can perform in the NL and the South Island can finally get a champion, although I won't get my hopes up

FT Christchurch United 0 Coastal Spirit 2

 Christchurch United 0 Coastal Spirit 2 (Khalil Vanderpool-Nurse, Jack Mitchell) HT 0 - 0