It is better to have some football than no football, not sure which of the great philosophers first said that – it might’ve been Socrates... or maybe Johan Cruyff? - but the wisdom lives on. Faced with the prospect of no National League footy due to the Auckland covid restrictions or playing some friendlies between the other qualified clubs, NZ Football have opted for the latter.

It’s a strange thing, this South Central Series. It’s National League footy but it feels kinda like cooking a frittata without any eggs. It’s an incomplete recipe. Particularly on the men’s side because at least the ladies have four regional teams rather than clubs so they’ve been able to scoop up most of the best players in the country from outside of the Northern League. Granted, the nature of the new club-based NL system does look like it’ll favour bigger clubs hoarding the best players but you get the idea. The other side of that coin is that we now get the two best academies in the nation playing under their own banners: the Wellington Phoenix and Western Suburbs (Ole Academy).

Whatever the comp looks like, it’s National League football and deserves to be treated as such (even though there does seem to be an early trend of blooding the youngsters given there’s no major trophy on the line). No more waiting around to see what’s gonna happen. It’s been a while but now we’re back.

SELWYN UNITED vs CASHMERE TECHNICAL

Selwyn United’s qualification for this competition was insane, two late goals in the last match of the season combined with results elsewhere taking them from fourth at the start of the day to second and into the National League by the end of it. More on the intricacies in this here piece from a month ago (back in those strange patient days before we knew if the league would happen or not).

That was a dream scenario for the Selwyn United. It’s also an odd one from a nationwide fan’s perspective as this ain’t a club with hardly any, if any, dudes who’ve played at this level before. A blank slate, almost. Exciting. Eight of the starters here played either all or all but one of the Southern League games – though Dan Ede and Mitch Cockburn were missing because they had to work. Standard National League areas.

Whereas Cashmere Tech are into the Chatham Cup final having knocked out Western Suburbs in the semis a month ago and they’ve basically got the whole starting line-up from the Canterbury United team of 2020. Powerhouses. Didn’t have them all here though. The likes of Yuya Taguchi and Sam Field were only on the bench while there was no Lyle Matthysen. But that familiar spine of Danny Knight, Tom Schwarz and Andrew Storer, Cory Mitchell, Garbhan Coughlan... they all lined up. The two South Island clubs in the comp scrapping it out in the opener, here we gooooo.

Garbhan Coughlan doesn’t usually need two invitations but running onto a Luke Tongue ball down the channel he chopped inside only to see his shot tipped wide by Pieter-Taco Bierema inside three mins. That was an outlier chance in the early stages though coz most times Cashmere Tech got out with any pace, Declan Tyndall involved in a lot of it, they were quickly shut down by a pretty well organised Selwyn team designed to keep things compact. Which, annoyingly, was often a tendency of Canterbury United (not as much Cash Tech who are the big dogs in their region) so the match here was not a very open one. Two blocks of defenders, a big crowd of midfielders, an oft-isolated centre forward. A conservative bend to both teams that’ll match nicely against the Central League clubs but against each other... not a game for the neutrals.

Cashy Tech were probably missing a little guile from the likes of Taguchi or Matthysen. By midway through the half the frustration was starting to set in as every time they turned a corner they uncovered two more Selwyn players to shut them down. And Selwyn did not make many mistakes. They were sharp in the midfield, guys like Calum Murdoch, Jayden Booth, and Luke McKay keeping it moving. They didn’t have much in attack against a legitimately excellent CT defence, although Jamie Carrodus did curl a free kick just over the top. But Tech weren’t creating much either. Fraser Angus volleyed a Danny Boys free kick over the top in the 43rd min - which was probably a much better chance than he made it look - and it was very much a stalemate at the half.

The other thing here, of course, is that artificial turfs like the one at English Park really aren’t the best for sexy football. The ball has that balloon bounce and the surfaces themselves get gruelling (they’re no fun to fall over on, that’s for sure). Anyway, Coughlan was the man who was gonna spark something for Cashmere. A shot deflected just wide before the break, another sent over the top early second half. His tricky stuff was a rare thrill in an often pertinacious contest (shout out to right-click synonyms). Jake Richards also lifted a shot over the bar. Can’t say too much about the finishing at English Park – one goal and it’d force a more open game but it just wasn’t happening.

Credit also to Selwyn’s keeper Bierema who was dealing with all the aerial stuff and also made another noice stop off a Coughlan shot early second half. Cashmere Tech definitely ramped up the pressure after the break – albeit a rare counter by Selwyn did allow Arnott to curl a shot in on his left that Danny Knight tipped away for a corner. That coulda really put the cat amongst the pigeons... no shocker that Taguchi was subbed on straight after. Bierema then made another save closing down Angus after the lay-off from Coughlan. Then Tongue put one on a platter for Taguchi who headed wide with the goal at his mercy. This was getting ridiculous.

Chuck in a diving save off a rocket Coughlan volley on 74 mins. Selwyn may have been hanging on doggedly at the back but by this stage they could hardly get the ball out of their own half. One wave after another. Boys had a shot deflected wide with the keeper wrong-footed, the corner kick count must have been through the roof. Bodies were tumbling. A great run from sub Kian Donkers allowed Coughlan to shoot on the spin but Bierema was once again up to the task. Only minutes remaining now. One way traffic but Selwyn were clinging on.

Richards struck a loose ball off target. Into five minutes of stoppage time. Tongue cut one back to Coughlan who scooped his shot over – seemed like everything they hit was going high. So what did they do? Get the biggest man in the team to hang out up front. Centre-back Tom Schwarz pushing forward and in the 93rd minute of the match he got on the end of a Coughlan cross for the goal that only seconds earlier it seemed would never arrive. Cashmere Technical winning it at the death. Get. In. There.

Not a classic match by any stretch but it had a great finish. The longer the game went on, the more guys like Coughlan, Mitchell, Tongue, and eventually Schwarz were able to influence it for Cashmere Tech, their best players stepping up. Initially the battling approach from Selwyn United cancelled them out but in the second half they were all over them and how exactly they didn’t score earlier is a mystery of the highest order. Rustiness after lockdown is a recurring theme through all these games but not sure even that excuses Cashy Tech’s shooting woes here. Still, they got there in the end. A 1-0 win. Only one man qualifies for man of the match status though and that’s Pieter-Taco Bierema.

WESTERN SUBURBS vs MIRAMAR RANGERS

Sunday then took us to Wellywood for a double feature. At 1pm it was Wests vs Miramar, at 4pm it was the WeeNix vs Olympic. Both were really fun games. This one first as Western Suburbs made their National League debut with coach/guru Ben Sippola only making the one change from the last time they played: the 1-0 Chatham Cup semi-final defeat away to Cashmere Technical back at the start of October. Ihaia Delaney in for Daniel Atkinson (and pretty sure Delaney was cup-tied for that game or he woulda played).

This is a steady team that knows how they want to play and which doesn’t alternate things too much. A young team which lets its guys play it out and learn as they go – there were seven players who featured in all 18 Central League matches in 2021 (Sims, Faber, OVR, Gatkek, Hough, Clayton & Gillion). And Michael Faber is the oldest of that group at 23... also an extra shout out to Mike Faber for playing centre-back with the number 9 on his jersey. Many-a striker will be fuming at that sight.

Compare that to a much more experienced Miramar Rangers team, many of whom were involved in Team Wellington’s Premiership winning squad a year ago. Andy Bevin, Taylor Schrijvers, Sam Mason-Smith and fellas like that. As well as the rapidly improving Zac Jones in goal. And Ollie Whyte... who we’ll get to soon enough. Two familiar teams who’ve played several times already this year and knew exactly what to expect from their foes: Wests looking to build up possession from the back and Rangers seeking to press in response. That did lead to some funky turnovers. It also led to space in behind the Miramar midfield if Wests were able to play through it and with two quick fullbacks in Alex Clayton and Ollie van Rijssel they had guys to take advantage of it. Eighth minute of the game and one of those counters led to a corner kick. Clayton struck the delivery in low and van Rijssel managed to sneak it home for the early goal.

This was a great tactical battle. Wan Gatkek in particular was creating a heap with his balance and strength allowing him to turn and roll through the press into those pockets between the lines and then pick out his fullbacks on either side. There was a gorgeous move about four mins after the goal which went from passing under pressure at the back to Clayton firing over at the other end (via a deflection tbf). Delaney shoulda done better when Clayton picked him out on 20 mins. Meanwhile Miramar’s size meant they looked a worry any time they could swing a decent cross into the box. Faber and Ben Stroud can certainly handle themselves against the aerial stuff so that was a scrap to keep a constant eye on.

Van Rijssel coulda had a second on 35’ when he picked off a pass and managed to get a shot away but Zac Jones made a good stop. Suburbs were creating good chances. Arguably should’ve been up more by then although that ain’t to say that Miramar weren’t up for the scrap too. Especially late in the half, when Owen Barnett found some room and his switch of play led to a blocked shot for Ollie White that didn’t quite fall for SMS. Then Andy Bevin, quiet to this point, popped up with a shot off Haris Zeb’s cross that was saved comfortably enough by Kees Sims (some super young keepers in Wellington these days, tell ya what). Miramar hadn’t changed anything drastic in their approach but things were opening up for them a little more now. Whyte had a couple other shots blocked. Wests doing well to get numbers back in defence.

Then out of absolutely nowhere a red card was produced. Birhanu Taye, who’d been spreading the ball around with slickness at the base of the Wests midfield, shown a straight red one for something that must’ve happened off the ball. Strange one. Out of character. Whatever he did wasn’t picked up by the Sky Sports single-camera stream.

Naturally, the red card changed the game. Wests didn’t have the same spacing and Miramar had their heads up. Barnett was one who immediately seemed to get more direct as a result of the red and after some smooth moves he dished for Andy Bevin who struck the bar. Then Faber managed to block another Whyte shot with his face, that woulda hurt. Wests got through to the break still 1-0 up when Otto Ingham was brought on to help things and to be fair they still had a threat in them whenever they could get into those quick transitional phases... but without Taye to shield things Rangers were now bossing the midfield.

Ollie Whyte in particular. At this point, that dude is top five domestic-based players in the country, surely. Watch him here (or in Team Welly’s last grand final) and dunno how he didn’t get a Phoenix contract after trialling for them in preseason – Whyte played for and against the Nix in friendly games, lol. Love the way he’s always looking for a forward pass, plus his awareness and vision on the ball is immense. Sure enough, it was Ollie Whyte who worked a few pump-fakes in the 57th min to find space for his shot and the one time they couldn’t get a block on him he scored. All level at 1-1, a goal that was definitely coming. Nice work from Mason-Smith holding it up for him too.

Could they continue and get a winner, that was the question. Mason-Smith had an effort saved after a Sam Dewar feed. Taylor Schrijvers headed into the side-netting. Sims caught a Whyte attempt on the dive. Then the dazzling Wan Gatkek almost put Wests back in front with twenty to go as he sliced inside Schrijvers but shot past the post. At no point did Suburbs get cagey even playing with ten men... but in the 75th min that Miramar aerial presence finally came up trumps. Schrijvers with the big header back across and Mason-Smith diverting it in off his own noggin. Even still, Gatkek set up Ingham for a chance late on that could’ve regained a point but Ingham only rattled the frame of the goal. To be honest, if there was one complaint about this game then it was the finishing from both teams. Bit of match fitness lacking there, perhaps.

Joao Moreira came off the bench and almost scored a screamer at the end but nah 2-1 was the final score. Points on the board for Miramar Rangers as they ground their opponents down after the red card. Wests had been the better side before the red though, not sure this was a game you can draw too many conclusions about from the result. Especially on a sweaty afternoon following more than a month off. Gotta rate the ability to Take Care of Business from Rangers though and they do have a really nice mix of youth and experience in that squad. Plus a quality defensive unit. And, once again: Ollie Whyte is too good for this level.

As for Western Suburbs, always gotta pay attention to Alex Clayton and Ollie van Rijssel out wide for them, those guys are great. Wan Gatkek was their major spark delivering some magical touches along the way. Maybe missing a Callum McCowatt level goal scorer to take advantage of things up front (they didn’t have a goal scorer in double digits over the winter – although Ihaia Delaney did score 8 in 8 after rejoining the club) but this is the Ole Academy so just give ‘em a few weeks and they’ll develop one. Will Gillion is a guy who looks worthy of keeping an eye on.

WELLINGTON PHOENIX vs WELLINGTON OLYMPIC

The WeeNix always have a heap of turnover from year to year and that’s the nature of operating as an U20 team. It generally takes them a few weeks to get into the swing of things – which could be awkward in a five-game competition. But this year is even more drastic than usual. As written about over here, the A-League team has leaned in on the academy in order to fill out its squad during the covid era and considering they’re now over in Australia that means that no Ben Old, Alex Paulsen, Kurtis Mogg, or George Ott. Or any first team players who might need some match fitness. The WeeNix has had an excellent track record of developing players lately so this South Central Series will put the next wave of them to the test.

Beginning with a clash against Central League champions Wellington Olympic. Chris Greenacre, now ‘realigned’ within the club’s staff as the U20s/Reserves coach with Paul Temple stepping up to a technical director role within the academy, named five debutants in his starting team (can we count them as debutants in a friendly competition? Yeah might as well). Like, we knew that the guys with the first team wouldn’t be there but also missing were guys such as Finn Surman and Riley Bidois. Obviously numbers were boosted by a few Ole dudes last year but of the starting line-up against Wellington Olympic... Henry Hamilton, Luis Toomey, and Oskar van Hattum were the only guys who featured for this team last season. Granted, Manny Achol did play for Hawke’s Bay. They may have been wearing black and yellow but these buggers were green, mate.

Wellington Olympic, defending Central League champs, got into the same spirit with youngster Toby Hunt getting the start in goal ahead of Scott Basalaj... granted he had the big fellas Justin Gulley and Ben Mata protecting him in the back three, along with Jaga Scott-Greenfield (who was a bit of a surprise there - normally more of an attacking player but all goods). Basically, whoever from that Team Welly group isn’t playing for Miramar is probably playing for Olympic. Jack-Henry Sinclair, Rory McKeown, Nati Hailemariam. Curious to see Tor Davenport-Peterson and Gianni Bouzoukis only on the bench but pretty sure coach Martin Pereyra Garcia was just spreading the love in week one.

It was a brilliant start from the WeeNix. They came out pushing forward with energy and Kaelin Nguyen in particular was looking a serious problem. He smashed one off the bar within a couple mins of kickoff and almost set up another cutting back after some rapid pace down the left. Toby Hunt then made a sharp save low off Manny Achol – putting the young gloveman under early pressure – and Luis Toomey fired one narrowly wide soon after.

All that within the first seven minutes. Olympic had barely made it out of their own half. Then suddenly they did with Rory McKeown and Jack-Henry Sinclair combining before Kailyn Gould tapped in from close range... however he was in an offside position. One chance, one disallowed goal. A warning for the WeeNix. One which they didn’t take note of because in the ninth minute Lukas Halikias dashed up the right wing and picked out Gould in the box. Gould’s touch was slightly heavy but he’d been given so much space that he could adjust and stroke that sucker into the net for the opener.

A mistake at the back from Olympic almost allowed for an instant equaliser for Seb Barton-Ginger only for Ben Mata to make a superb lunging tackle in the box. But Olympic had recovered from the slow start by now and twenty mins in a McKeown cross caught the arm of Joseph Chiali for a penalty. Captain Ben Mata pulled rank and casually slid it into the bottom corner out of the reach of Henry Gray who was in goal for the Nix. 2-0 to WO.

Olympic figured out ways to pass through the press and as generally speaking pressing teams tend to ease off anyway as fatigue sets in later in halves. But they weren’t exactly comfortable here. The WeeNix were still working a few sweet moves and while one Luis Toomey shot was saved comfortably enough... Oskar van Hattum soon picked Justin Gulley’s pockets and shuffled into a shooting position for an effort that was straight at Hunt but the bloke fumbled it under his body. A fortuitous path back into the game for the Nix but give a team an inch, sometimes they’ll take a mile. Six minutes later Oskar van Hattum did this...

Jeepers. With no Riley Bidois in the team here, OVH and Toomey are the two (relative) veterans amongst the Phoenix forwards and clearly van Hattum was keen to put himself forward as an early candidate for Next Phoenix Academy Graduate status. And, mate, before the half was out it shoulda been 3-2. Theo Ettema lost out to Henry Hamilton rushing up but Nguyen side-footed wide from eight yards. Gotta get that on target, bro. If the keeper makes a great save then so be it but gotta at least get it on target.

In response to the back and forth nature of that half, both coaches made substitutions to address their midfields. The WeeNix brought on Finn Conchie for Barton-Ginger, moving Manny Achol out to the wing. Olympic brought on Tor Devenport-Peterson for Nati Hailemariam in a straight swap. Unfortunately it worked. Both teams tidied up their play in that centre third and it became a much more structured, technical arm wrestle. For about twenty minutes anyway, then the mutual desire for a winner started to tempt the game out of its stasis and it was the WeeNix who were creating the most. Best chance being a lovely run around the right edge from van Hattum and a square ball to Nguyen whose shot hit the post. He’d have had a hatty on another day, that dude. Achol also had a 1v1 saved after squeezing through a couple defenders in the box.

Then a sneaky give-and-go between substitute Gianni Bouzoukus and Kailyn Gould saw Bouzoukis run through on goal, Henry Gray rushed out to close him down, maybe rushed out too far, and Bouzoukis (who scored 14 goals for Olympic in the Central League in only 13 games) slid the ball beautifully under Gray to score. The Greeks hadn’t had an abundance of chances – they’d also just seen Jack-Henry Sinclair replaced with injury after a heavy tackle – but that’s what wily experience can do for you. One chance, one goal. Expertly done.

Bouzoukis wasn’t as clinical in the 87th min when he got set on a runaway and Gray made a super save with his left foot, one of those David De Gea specials. But from the corner kick Harry Chote bossed his way onto a Rory McKeown special, overpowering Marco Lorenz, to make it 4-2. Bouzoukis then smacked an overhead kick off the bar and was absolutely convinced that the ball had bounced over the line before the keeper grabbed it, alas the lino wasn’t so sure. Then as play continued, Nix sub Josh Rudland made a sloppy challenge to pick up his second yellow so they had to play out stoppage time with ten men. Also Marco Lorenz got a yellow as time expired to complete the set as each of the WeeNix back four were booked.

For most of this game it was pretty even but Wellington Olympic did the champion thing and ended up winning by a couple spare goals. No dramas. They’ll get better too as they integrate a few more of their top players into the side. Basalaj, Bouzoukis, Davenport-Petersen and folks like that. As they Central League champs, they deserve to be the favourites coming into this South Central Series. Particular shout outs here to Ben Mata, Kailan Gould, and Rory McKeown who were all excellent.

As for the WeeNix... the more stretched nature of club-based competition should mean they’re more consistently competitive in the National League these days (they woulda qualified via Lower Hutt City even if they weren’t an automatic entrant) and even more so supposing that guys like Surman and Bidois are going to feature. An inexperienced back line struggled at times (although Lorenz and Hughes both look like tidy prospects) yet they were able to create a fair bit against a very good defensive team. They’ll be fun to watch. The whole National League South Central Series should be fun to watch.

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