Chatham Cup Round 3  

Green Island v Otago University 

In a repeat of last week’s league fixture, Green Island again face Otago University. Last weekend’s match ended with three points for the men in green and yellow as Shane Carvell led his side to a 3-0 victory. Carvell expects this Saturday’s Chatham Cup to be another tough fixture, “It’s two good sides butting heads again, t they play good quality football and that’s always gonna be brought to the game from them, well grilled well organised team.” Like many teams, Green Island will be without several players due to exams, “Negotiating exams and the weather affecting training pitches, that’s been the challenge the last few weeks, I’m confident that the 11 that will go out will do a sterling job.”  

Varsity will be without several players due to exams and will be looking to rediscover their form after a string of disappointing results in the Otago Daily Times Southern Premiership. 

Wanaka v South City Royals 

Wanaka’s Ian Bell is hoping his team can return to winning ways following last week’s defeat to local rivals Queenstown. Bell knows that Richard Murray’s side will be a handful, “The Royals are obviously a confident team playing attacking direct football , we need to really lift ourselves after a below par game last week where too many players had off games.” Bell is unsure what his starting 11 will look like but knows his side will be up the match, “We await fitness tests as usual on a large number of players but we will be ready and willing to win a one-off cup game.” 

Richard Murray has secured the Otago Daily Times Southern Premiership title in his side’s inaugural season. The Royals are the first side from our federation to secure a place in the newly formed Southern League joining Cashmere Technical, Coastal Spirit and Christchurch United. Murray’s attention now shifts to Round 3 of the cup, “It's a little bit of redemption as we want to get over our travelling hump so to speak." Murray expects Wanaka to be difficult, "They’ll be a challenge and mentally they’ll know they can beat us, anything can happen in a cup game!". Murray will be missing several players for a multitude of reasons, "We have3 out with long term injuries and a few who can’t travel so there will be a couple of coaching staff on the bench, with exams and students going home, it’s a bit of plastering over the gaps."

The Otago Daily Times Men's Southern Premiership takes a break this week, in the meantime catch Mosgiel AFC's Rahan Ali and Matt Kelly guest hosting this week's McDonald's Football Chat. 

Kate Sheppard Cup Round 3  

2018 Kate Sheppard Cup Champions Dunedin Tech take on their closest league rivals Otago University Premiers in what will be a tantalising match at the Turf. For those unable to attend, the game will be broadcast live thanks to New Zealand Football.  Kick off is at 7pm and coverage is available via YouTube.

Stu Moffatt is looking forward to the crunch match although his side will be missing several players including striker Amy Hislop, “In spite of being down several players through injury, exams and the term break, there is a good mood and buzz in the squad, which is a credit to the players.” Moffatt was full of praise for his squad ahead of Friday’s match, he has been especially impressed by Jess Marvin recently, She's been tireless for us upfront and is timing her runs and dropping between the lines to create chances for herself and her team mates much more effectively in the last couple of games.Jess has really won the implicit trust of her team mates up front and you could see that last week with her hat-trick.” 

Craig Johnston, Dunedin Tech’s coach, is excited for the third round of the cup, “ We’re looking forward to getting back on the turf, we’ve had some good results against Varsity on the turf this season but we don’t take anything for granted!” Johnston has an almost full strength squad although Katie Foulkes will be absent. Johnston’s team are ready for the third round, “We lose and we’re out, we are so pumped for the Cup and want to progress, we’ve had some decent performances over last few weeks and hope to see a decent crowd.” Katie Foulkes was a guest on this week's episode of McDonald's Football Chat, catch what she had to say about Tech's recent form here.

Otago Daily Times Women’s Southern Premiership  

Green Island v Roslyn Wakari 

Green Island’s coach Matthew Holdridge is relishing Saturday’s game against rivals Roslyn, “We’re looking forward to another challenge. Home advantage will help and the girls are keen to get a result following our improving performances.” Holdridge hopes that his side will improve on their last results against Roslyn which was a 3-2 victory for Hamish Philip’s side, “We've improved as a team and will look to get a positive result this weekend.” 

Roslyn will be hoping to make it two wins from two in Saturday’s earlier kick-off at Sunnyvale. Their regular keeper Hayley Julian remains sidelined with injury meaning Roslyn will have their fourth different keeper in 4 weeks between the posts, “Juliette Lucas is donning the gloves, moving from her role as a midfielder.” Philip is optimistic that several players will be returning to action including Saffron Hare who has been chosen for the next NZ U17’s camp and the experienced Jordyn Walker. Philip knows that Green Island will be difficult opposition, “GI have had some good results recently so they’ll have their backs up and be looking for a win against us.” 

Seconds v Queenstown 

Arnon Tapp is anticipating another firm challenge this weekend, “It’s another tough game, we are very short on players again with exam season and players heading home for the break.” Tapp appreciates that his opponents will not be easy to overturn, “Queenstown are a good side and have really hit form lately with some impressive results.” Tapp is hoping his side can replicate their performance against Roslyn, “The team played really well against Roslyn last week so hope to put in another good performance.” 

Mark Ford will be taking a slightly smaller squad to Dunedin this weekend, “It’s  a great group so it should be a really good game. The advanced party are heading up on Friday night to watch the England game in the morning!” Ford appreciates that Uni Seconds are efficient on the turf, “We know Uni B play well at home so we expect a tough challenge, but the girls are well rested and looking forward to it.” 

Mosgiel v Tech has been rescheduled due to Tech’s Kate Sheppard Cup encounter.