Suburbs tackle Ferrymead without suspended Gibson
Nelson Suburbs will switch focus back to finishing the Mainland Premier League after their Chatham Cup run came to a crashing halt last weekend.
But there will be little to play for in their final four games, with Suburbs 15 points behind leaders Cashmere Technical and well out of title contention for another season.
However, they can still catch second, with tomorrow’s match against Ferrymead Bays at Saxton Field one of two must-win meetings with the current runners-up within the space of a week.
Five points adrift of the top of the table with a game in hand, Ferrymead are the only team capable of catching Cashmere.
But they have a significantly harder run in with two fixtures against Suburbs and will surely have to win in Nelson this weekend, and hope that Cashmere slip up against Coastal Spirit, to keep those fading hopes alive.
Suburbs will be without centreback Kristian Gibson, who is suspended after receiving his marching orders in last weekend’s cup defeat. His absence should see captain Jonathan Gough return to his preferred position of centreback after playing on the left for past two matches.
That scenario would likely see either Niall Young or Van Roland Hlawn Ceu brought back into the starting 11 at left-back.
However, there could also be a temptation to partner Mark Johnston with Zac Muir at centreback.
Meanwhile, Tasman United will be looking to finish their season on a high when they host FC Twenty11 in their final game of the Mainland Women’s Premier League in tomorrow’s earlier match.
After battering Universities 6-1 in their most recent fixture, Tasman can make it four wins on the trot if they manage to beat fourthplaced FC, which would be the team’s longest ever winning streak.
Their game kicks off at 11am with Suburbs taking on Ferrymead at 1pm.