After dropping two points last week, Dunedin Technical will be under some pressure not to slip further in today's match against Mosgiel at the Caledonian Ground.
Starting without international fullback Tristan Prattley, who was red carded last week, coach Mike Fridge's team - the defending champion and now third will be tested by the ambitious Plainsmen.
After some player losses from last year, the experienced core of Technical's squad is striker Aaron Burgess, centreback Matt Joy and the Flaws brothers, Justin and Mike.
Returning from injury, Alistair Rickerby and George Milne may take time to bed into a team that many Tech supporters would struggle to recognise, but Parisian Victor da Costa looks a useful new addition.
Despite tight marking last week, last year's Golden Boot winner Burgess still managed to score, but opponent Northern had obviously done enough homework to limit the star striker, and no doubt, Mosgiel will try to repeat that tactic.
Mosgiel's homegrown lads have matured playing summer national league, and while some say a break is needed before winter football, Morgan Day still looks full of pep, and Reagan Coldicott's wide pace could be a splendid foil for Tim Dunn and Shane Danielson.
Top team Caversham travels to Grants Braes, and while Shannon Cox and big Njoh Npondo could make their mark, once again Braes is very much a work in progress under coaches Al Laidler and Dave Shemilt.
Richard Murray's Caversham side is also in rebuild mode, but is still likely to stay top of the league.
Last week's four goals will have boosted the confidence of Ant Hancock and Harley Rodeka, while new signings Liam Little, Jude Fitzpatrick, Andrew Ridden and Pablo Alvarez have freshened the Caversham squad.
Northern will try to emulate last week's effective performance against a Green Island side that also prides itself on non-stop effort as well as skill, and on home ground Sunnyvale, it should be a tight encounter.
Northern defender Cam McPhail earned a man of the match award against Technical. Brothers Arran and Craig Wilkinson were not far behind, and veteran Darren Hart's goal earned praise from coach Steve Brook.
Queenstown is at home to University, and coach Steve Henderson will hope several students may still be up north on extended Easter holidays.
Clearly, Queenstown is stronger at home, and it will be a mark of Varsity coach Luiz Uehara's persuasion to inspire a full attendance from his talented side, if it is to challenge for honours.
For administrators, Queenstown matches always present a refereeing problem, since none exist in that hamlet, and matches there have been known to be fiery affairs.
Refereeing administrator Chris Boyd said: "It's not fair to send inexperienced officials to Queenstown.
"It would be easier if some locals were involved, but they prefer not to do senior matches."
