Reigning champions Southern United have made an unbeaten start to their title defence but are two points off the leading pair after the most recent bout of Futsal National League action over the weekend.

Both Southern and the Canterbury United Dragons had to wait a week longer than all other sides to get their respective campaigns underway in the second stage of the Southern Home Series at the Edgar Centre in Dunedin.

With Waikato and Capital have thrown down an early gauntlet by making perfects starts the previous weekend, Southern were already under pressure to start off on the right foot. But the Dragons, who claimed the title in 2016, certainly made it difficult for their fellow South Islanders and the first match between the pair was a thrilling 4-4 draw.

Matthew Brazier struck a brace for Southern and was joined on the scoresheet by Thomas Petersen and Carlos Herrmann but Canterbury were able to match that, James Vallance also striking twice while Suhail Toubat and Thomas McGowan rounded out the scoring.

The Dragons could not contain a rampant Southern in their second encounter though, falling to a 6-2 loss to end the series with only a point.

Lewis Wall, just 16-years-old, made light of his tender age to lead the way for Southern with a double while the other goals were supplied by Petersen, Liam Sercombe, Tennessee Kinghorn and Benjamin O’Farrell. The Cantabrians hit back through McGowan and Matthew Bergin but it wasn’t enough to prevent Southern claiming their first win of the season to put themselves third on the table.

Waikato – who are level on points with Capital but ahead on goal difference – will get the chance to extend their lead this weekend when the Futsal National League continues with the Northern Travel Series at The Peak in Hamilton.

Live streaming of all matches from the Northern Travel Series will be available by clicking here

To view the Futsal National League draw, table and other information please click here

Futsal National League Southern Home Series Results

Southern United 4 (Matthew Brazier 2, Thomas Petersen, Carlos Herrmann)
Canterbury United Dragons 4 (James Vallance 2, Suhail Toubat, Thomas McGowan)

Canterbury United Dragons 2 (Matthew Bergin, Thomas McGowan)
Southern United 6 (Lewis Wall 2, Liam Sercombe, Tennessee Kinghorn, Thomas Petersen, Benjamin O’Farrell)

Article added: Tuesday 23 October 2018