Competitive look to Southern United side

AN experienced core, a handful of new faces and a wave of local youth.

It looked to be a competitive men’s squad that Southern United named last night, a week out from its national football premiership season opener.

Prior to that game, the 28 players will be cut to 23.

Many players had already been confirmed, and it is a solid core that returns.

Southern has excelled in defence in the past two years and it has held on to its main pieces there.

The experienced Liam Little returns at goal keeper, backed up by youngster Stewart Catto and

Mosgiel’s Levi Waddington.

Irish duo Stephen Last and Conor O’Keeffe are back for a fourth season. They are joined by Erik Panzer, who announced yesterday he is returning for a second season.

That trio will likely be key, while Canterbury’s Jordan Spain and a group of local youngsters including last year’s youth captain, Rory Findlay, fill out the remaining spots.

The notable loss was big Norwegian Markus Fjortoft, who is playing in the Scottish Premier League.

In the midfield, Danny Ledwith brings experience, as does the lively Abdulla AlKalisy.

Norwegian Chris Wingate comes in, as does another handy group of locals including Scottish university exchange student Santeri Kuivlainen.

Tony Whitehead is the key absentee. The hardworking

Irishman is heading back to Europe where he is to play for Stalybridge United in England.

It is up front that Southern looks to have made its biggest gains.

Electric goalscorer Garbhan Coughlan and returning Dunedin product Joel Stevens lead an exciting lineup.

The young duo of Ben Wade and Ben Deeley proved lively last year and they will return, while Ben Kiore is back after playing for Tasman United last year.

Irishman Andy Mulligan, who spent a season with Southern in 201617, is another notable inclusion.

The team begins its season next Saturday, against Tasman United at the Logan Park Artificial Turf.