Noah4thenix wrote: Dissapointing result for Northern.
Despite the result that was honestly a good game to watch. Lots of action and chances from both teams I reckon.
Also shoutout to the Linwood elderly home for popping down (I jest). It was cool having some travelling fans which we don't usually get down here. Hope to see you again unless, you make NL27
Should've at least walked away with a point but mistakes happen and not much can be done afterwards. Pushed hard to equalise but just gonna have to get it back next time
For those who haven't experienced a Northern AFC game, it was pretty cool to be a part of it. Here's my take...
We got there early due to it being a public holiday and no pubs close were open. The pitch is inside an athletics running track, and has a decent sized grandstand. The manager and coach of Northern came over and introduced themselves and made us feel welcome, invited us to the clubrooms after and were really hospitable. Then their fans started arriving, which would probably total around 60, all singing and cheering on their team and any mistake from us. A few of them came over and chatted, talked about the season and team, also invited us to the clubrooms post match, and were good fellas. They had chants, songs and some excellent banter. My favourite song was to our keeper who had played with some of the Northern players before, and called him "Ron Weasley" which went down well with the Coastal team. Great to see an 18 pack of Double Brown come in the door, which once was a staple diet of a younger Coastal whānau. The addition of bag pipes as the teams entered was pretty cool too.
As for the game, we were dominant first half and shoulda had more but for some poor finishing and great clearances. Second half they were stronger and coulda had some of their own. A late winner made for the long drive home a whole lot more fun.
The Northern clubrooms was also great, a proper football version with photos, scarves and shirts all adorning the walls. Everyone was very welcoming to us outsiders, seems like they were happy to have some away fans there.
All in all a great weekend in Dunedin, long live Northern.
I will just add that it is a real shame the Fifa+ camera is not at this ground as it would be great to share this experience for those from outside of the region. The fact the camera is at a pitch 100 metres away that neither of the Southern League teams play at unless it's super wet makes it even worse. IMG_3353.JPG5.54 MB
Today's scorers: Coastal Spirit 3 (Rico Pradhan, Tommy Moon, Jack Mitchell) Nelson Suburbs 5 (Ben Polak x 2, Noah Platt, Johnny Reynolds, La Bu Pan) HT 0 - 4
May a couple of rounds early to call it yet, but the Coastal result has done Bays a huge favour. Both Bays and Nomads now both unbeaten in the last seven rounds of the league - both with six wins and a draw, so along with Technical are the form horses.
Some tasty games in the coming four Rounds: Round 11: Tech vs. Nomads Round 12: Tech vs. Bays Nomads vs. United Round 13: Coastal vs. Nomads United vs. Bays Round 14 Bays vs. Coastal
Maybe not a crazy result, as Coastal have only defeated Suburbs once in their last five games at Tane Norton Park, Suburbs now won two and drawn twice.
Maybe not a crazy result, as Coastal have only defeated Suburbs once in their last five games at Tane Norton Park, Suburbs now won two and drawn twice.
Just been looking back over points from the previous four season of the SL.
Average points for the winning team: 46.75 - range from 49 to 42 (49 twice, 47 and 42) Runner-up team: 44 - range from 49 to 40 (49, 42, 45 and 40) Third placed team: 36 - range from 41 to 31 (33, 42, 41 and 39)
Technical, Bays, and Nomads can all reach a tally of 43 points, or more. Coastal (40) can reach 40 points. Northern, Suburbs, Royals, United and Selwyn can all reach 31 points, or more.
Will be interesting to see how the remainder of the league plays out and will a team other the Technical, United or Coastal represent the Southern League in the up-coming National League Championship
Not the Southern League - sad news posted on Roslyn Wakari AFC facebook page yesterday:
We are saddened to let you know that Rab Smith, Life Member and former Roslyn Wakari Club Patron, passed away on Sunday.
Rab had a lasting impact on Roslyn Wakari and football throughout Otago. A fine player, Rab coached both junior and senior teams and served the club as a committee member, secretary, and president. He was also a key figure in fundraising for the construction of the clubrooms. His sons, David and Gordon, came through the Roslyn junior ranks and went on to play for the club's First Team. Rab later became a well-respected Life Member and Club Patron.
Rab was also an icon of Otago football. He was the main football writer and photographer for the Otago Daily Times for more than 40 years and produced the much-loved weekly Otago Football Programme, which included reports from clubs throughout the region. While he covered the big games, Rab also loved photographing football at every level, from young children taking their first steps in the game at the Oval through to masters football. His contribution to the sport in the region was recognised in 2020 when he was made a Life Member of Southern Football.
Rab was great company and loved a yarn over a Guinness. His humour and soft, melodic Leith accent will be sorely missed.
Funeral details: A service to celebrate Rab’s life will be held at Hope & Sons on Monday 15th June at 2.00pm. All who knew Rab are welcome to attend.
As a mark of respect, we ask that all teams wear black armbands and observe a moment of silence before their games this weekend.
Rab will be known by most in the Otago / Southland region, but was also a regular at English Park when Otago United was playing and also when representative football was played, always travelled with Otago sides as a media rep.
