Football: Otago fall to Wellington in difficult conditions

Wellington kept a nose in front to beat Otago United 2-1 in a fluctuating ASB Premiership match yesterday at the Caledonian ground.

Spectators were treated to a feast. Goals, red cards, yellow cards, a penalty and despite the bizarre weather, some excellent football, as both teams attacked from box to box.

Initially, Wellington looked impressive, led by the darting runs of Dakota Lucas and playing good quality possession football.

Otago then cranked up counterattacks that featured the pace of Harley Rodeka and Regan Coldicott, with James Govan battling to try to hold the ball up front, in the swirling wind.

Both sides tried to play controlled football, with the elements changing from bitterly cold gusting southerlies to warm, bright sunshine. There were spells when both teams had to slug it out, toe-to-toe.

After 39 minute a Lucas corner was headed to the far post, where Karl Whalen emerged unmarked to sweep the ball in from close range and put Wellington ahead 1-0.

Otago reacted well, lifted its tempo and under pressure James Musa conceded a free kick that Tristan Prattley flighted in for Govan to head square and a delighted Rodeka rammed in the equaliser 1-1.

Wellington had a horizontal rain advantage in the second half, and on the break, striker Lucas was fouled by centreback Matt Joy to concede a penalty kick.

Referee Mirko Benischke decided that Joy deserved a red card, despite the presence of other defenders near the incident, and Mike Eager calmly beat keeper Peter Evans to restore Wellington's lead after 46 minutes.

Otago then played probably its best football, as Darren Overton became more active, and a string of corners had Wellington on the ropes.

Sam Mepham and Morgan Day covered miles in midfield, breaking down attacks and setting up steady possession.

Joel Stevens made some scintillating runs that belied his youth, and Seamus Ryder carved past defenders.

Overton had a goalscoring shot charged down and Regan Coldicott was chopped in the penalty area, but referee Benischke waved play on.

Otago's recent goal-scoring jinx continued, as good chances were spurned, and Wellington keeper Phil Imray was well protected by a hard-tackling defence.

Wellington weathered that storm and forced Otago keeper Evans into a couple of brave saves, as the class of Prattley and Craig Ferguson tried to calm the defence.

Then a strong run by Ferguson was halted by a scything tackle from Tim Schaeffers, and centre stage, referee Benischke flashed another red card to reduce the game to 10 v 10.

Otago battled to the final whistle, as some cool passing from Wellington ran the clock down.

Wellington coach Matt Calcott applauded his teams effort.

"We came for three points, and we knew it would not be easy. Some of our young team have never been this far south," he said.

Otago coach Richard Murray thought his team handled the conditions and Wellington well, "but conceding goals to set plays is always disappointing, and once again, we did not put our goal-scoring chances away".

Murray named Sam Mepham as Otago's player of the match.