Football: Confident Caversham soars past Mosgiel

Andrew Brook
Andrew Brook
Caversham extended its lead at the top of the Football South Premier League with a resounding 7-0 win over rival Mosgiel at Memorial Park on Saturday.

Fans looking forward to an even battle were disappointed as Caversham grabbed the game by the scruff of its neck, dominated early possession and jumped to a 2-0 lead within nine minutes.

Sam Collier laced a shot into the top right corner of keeper Zane Green's goal, and three minutes later, Logan Wrightwebb made it 2-0 and celebrated with a whirling somersault.

Mosgiel reacted with increased effort and managed to produce some settled passing, with Eder Franchini the hub, and some good runs and shots at Daryl Putt in the Caversham goal.

The veteran keeper pulled off some fine saves, and there can not be too many instances of teams winning 7-0 and choosing to award their keeper man of the match status.

He certainly blunted Mosgiel's attack, which was without the injured Regan Coldicott, and apart from an anxious flap at a header that rebounded off his crossbar, Putt remained calm and earned his clean sheet.

Despite Mosgiel creating some attacks, Caversham's ability to counter punch with pace always looked likely to earn goals.

In the 38th minute, centreback Jude Fitzpatrick joined the Caversham air force to take advantage of corners and long Tom Jackson throws, but the goal he scored was worthy of a star striker as he leapt high, swivelled and volleyed an acute angled shot inside Mosgiel's unprotected near post.

As halftime approached, Collier struck again for 4-0, taking advantage of a defensive lapse by keeper Green. In the second half, Mosgiel grabbed its best slice of the match, and should have scored, but the Plainsmen continually misfired in front of goal.

Referee Edward Cook then sent off Tom Kindley in the 60th minute for a rash challenge, and in the 85th minute Keegan Taig also received a red card, and Mosgiel finished with nine men.

Caversham's confidence soared and, playing power football with pace and purpose, the goals flowed.

Tom Jackson took his season tally to 16, with goals in the 68th and 74th minutes, and in the final minute, Callum Flaws completed the scoring.

Caversham coach Tim Horner commended his keeper's performance and the team's single minded approach as it continued to play educated football.

Brook thought his Mosgiel side played well in patches but that was never going to be enough.

''We gave away soft goals and did not take our chances. You have to be on your best game against a good team like Caversham - and we were not,'' Brook said.

At Tahuna Park, it took Dunedin Technical a while to overcome a feisty Green Island, but player coach Aaron Burgess opened the scoring and an eventual 2-0 win keeps his side in second place.

University at last found its scoring touch and rattled in four goals without reply at the Caledonian Ground to beat Northern and get off the bottom of the table.

 

 

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