The Southern League side have opened their season with losses to Cashmere Tech (5-1) and Nomads United (2-0) and have another chance to get on the board against Ferrymead Bays at home tomorrow.
After their home opener at the Logan Park turf two weeks ago, the Royals will now be based at a Tahuna Park venue redeveloped for the Fifa Women’s World Cup.
Ferrymead Bays, who sit fifth on the ladder, will be feeling confident after pushing Southern League front-runners Christchurch United before being pipped 4-3 last week.
The Royals’ ODT men’s southern premiership side managed to push through for a 4-4 draw against defending champions Mosgiel thanks to a late goal in last week’s local league opener.
Mosgiel will tomorrow face Green Island, who had a tough 1-0 loss against Roslyn-Wakari last week, and Roslyn will play Wanaka, who beat University 1-0 in an opening-round game that led to seven cards being handed out.
Northern came out as front-runners after a big 7-0 win over Queenstown last weekend, but they will be tested by the Royals tomorrow.
Queenstown play Northern Hearts and Queens Park face University in the other games to round out the second week.
In the women’s South Island qualifying league, the Royals have laid an early stake in the ground after beating Green Island 10-0 last weekend.
They have the weekend off while Green Island play University, and Queens Park — who lost 4-0 to Roslyn in their opener — host Northern.
