Seven games into its national football league campaign the team has found the back of the net just four times, as it continues to search for its first win. That is a trend it will look to buck, as it takes on Hawke’s Bay United at Peter Johnstone Park today, its first game at its new home ground.
"We’ve created some chances but we just lack a bit of composure in the final third," coach Paul O’Reilly said.
"A lot of the time we’re chasing games so it results in us, at times, snatching at chances and panicking because we’re a goal behind, or two goals behind. We’re getting a little bit anxious, so if we can go ahead, I think it’ll see the lads settle down and relax a little bit."
Andy Mulligan scored the team’s first goal since round three last week, but Southern succumbed 4-1 to an in-form Team Wellington side. It was symptomatic of Southern’s season, looking good for periods, but conceding sloppy goals after making mistakes and undoing the good work.
Today the side welcomes back captain and former Hawke’s Bay United player Harley Rodeka from injury. He is not expected to start, although should bolster the line-up, as strikers Eric Molloy and newcomer Danny Furlong did last week. The experience of that trio will be valuable to Southern and along with Mulligan, provides the side with plenty of spark up front.
"They’ve got experience and proven pedigree. It’s about using that experience and making sure their impact is having a positive performance. If we can do that then we might pick up some points."
It was at the defensive end that Southern would be light this week, both Jude Fitzgerald and Craig Ferguson having picked up hip injuries.
Southern would face a Hawke’s Bay team that is in fifth place on the table, with three wins and a draw from its seven games. It will mark Southern’s first game at Peter Johnstone Park. It has played two of its home games at Forsyth Barr Stadium and one in Invercargill.
"We’re really looking forward to it. Peter Johnstone Park’s been brilliant for us.
"We’ve been training out there all year, so the lads will feel pretty comfortable in that environment and the surroundings. The pitch is pretty decent."
The two clubs’ youth league teams will face each other at Petane War Memorial Domain in Napier, kicking off today at noon.
Southern v Hawke’s Bay
Peter Johnstone Park, today 2pm
Southern United: Liam Little, Conor O’Keeffe, Stephen Last, Danny Ledwith, Eric Molloy, Michael Hogan, Harley Rodeka, Andy Mulligan, Sam Cosgrave, Ross Howard, Andrew Ridden, Tom Stevens, Sam Collier, Campbell Higgins, Cameron McPhail, Danny Furlong.
Hawke’s Bay United: (from) Finlay Milne, Josh Hill, Sean Liddicoat, Kohei Matsumoto, Mathew Whatley, Alex Palezevic, Cory Chettleburgh, Facundo Berbero, Sam Mason-Smith, Saul Halpin, Ross Willox, Ethan Dent, Martin Canales, Ben Everson, Fergus Neill, Lewis Tiller, Nile Walwyn, Ruben Parker.
