The Hibiscus Coast midfielder comes up against them each week back home.
But Martin would love nothing more than to help her Southern United team-mates avenge last year’s national league final loss to Auckland United and snap the Aucklanders’ long unbeaten streak.
Southern United, who Martin joined for the national league, are away to Auckland United at Keith Hay Park today.
Auckland United, who sit top of the league, have set the standard all season and will be keen to keep their 46-game unbeaten run alive.
They have not lost since October 1 2023, when they lost 3-2 to Eastern Suburbs.
They are out to defend their national league title and add a third trophy to their cabinet this season.
They won the Northern region premiership and also hold the Kate Sheppard Cup.
But if Southern United has anything to do with it, that streak will end tomorrow.
‘‘We’re really looking forward to it, because we know they have this big unbeaten streak going on, and we want to be that team that comes from down south to come up and ruin that streak,’’ Martin said.
‘‘We know they’re a very strong team with ex-Ferns. We’re looking forward to the challenge and we really hope we can cause anupset.’’
Martin, 29, is relishing her first national league experience and has been based in Dunedin for the 12-week season.
‘‘I’m really enjoying it. [It’s] definitely a good step up from what I was playing in Auckland.
‘‘The girls are just really welcoming, and nice, and fun down here.’’
Southern United captain Rose Morton and stalwart Shontelle Smith had been ‘‘midfield inspiration’’ for Martin through her career.
‘‘It’s been so good playing alongside them, as well as the two Australian girls, Millie (Scott) and Georgia (Keen).
‘‘They’ve been great to see some players from overseas as well.’’
Martin has been all over the field this season, filling gaps at centre back and centre forward, but it added to her game and she learnt a lot over the past seven rounds.
She grew up playing for Hibiscus Coast until she was 17, when she joined now defunct clubs Norwest United and Forrest Hill to play premiership football.
Wanting to help Hibiscus Coast push for a premiership league spot, Martin returned but tore her ACL in 2020.
That year she was also part of the Northern Lights wider squad, who at the time were part of the national league, but never took to the field due to injury.
She worked her way back and played for Hibiscus Coast when they went unbeaten all season and were promoted from the championship to the premiership.
‘‘It was a really good comeback year and then to be able to play [premier] was really exciting.’’
Martin enjoyed the challenge of playing in the national league and jumped at the opportunity to test herself against teams outside of Auckland.
‘‘It’s been really exciting being able to play different teams throughout the country.
‘‘It’s just a great experience to learn from other really good teams and other really good players that you come up against.’’
In the other games today, Central are home to Canterbury United Pride and Waterside Karori will play West Coast Rangers.
Eastern Suburbs play Wellington United and Phoenix Reserves host Western Springs tomorrow.
