Draw does it: Mosgiel takes league title

University's Tim O'Farrell challenges Mosgiel's Cam Anderson (on ground) in a top-of-the-table...
University's Tim O'Farrell challenges Mosgiel's Cam Anderson (on ground) in a top-of-the-table clash at the Caledonian Ground on Saturday.PHOTO: GERARD O'BRIEN
A draw was enough for Mosgiel to claim the Southern Premier League title on Saturday.

It finished 1-1 with Otago University at the Caledonian Ground in the final-round clash between the league's two top teams.

Caversham sealed its place in third and the right to play in the South Island league.

The Plainsmen got off to a flyer when Riley Anderton was bearing down on goal, only to be denied when he was taken out from behind.

University grew into the game and had more possession and territory.

But needing only to avoid heavy defeat to claim the title, Mosgiel was content to sit back on defence.

The league's leading marksman, University's Dom Scahill, was being kept quiet.

His frustration showed on 42 minutes.

A great run down the right flank allowed Allan McBride to find Scahill with a low driven cross.

He was unmarked with an open goal, but his side-footed effort went agonisingly wide.

University had the first opportunity in the second half, Ben Stanley rifling a shot that Levi Waddington tipped over the crossbar.

With 25 minutes remaining Mosgiel's Fernando Montado was introduced and had an immediate effect.

His run into the box resulted in a shot Stu Catto could not hold, but he regathered in time.

The game exploded into life with five minutes to play.

Mosgiel's Aiden Barbour-Ryan had two goal-bound efforts cleared off the line by the impressive Thomas Sule, then Montado had an attempt from 30m out.

Ben Stanley again launched a piledriver that Waddington saved.

From the resultant corner, a goal-bound shot was deflected away by Anderton.

Mosgiel's player-coach Cam McPhail brought himself on for the dying moments and the impact was immediate.

A fantastic through-ball was played to Anderson, who sped away, drew Catto out and slipped it past for a 1-0 lead.

University won a corner with little time left and Jack Rathbone rose the highest to head in an equaliser.

University nearly pinched a winner, a brave save from Waddington at the feet of Tom Durkin denying the students.

That leaves University in second and Caversham third, following a 5-2 victory over Northern.

Caversham can still claim the runner-up spot with its game in hand against Green Island, which will be played next Monday at Sunnyvale.

In other results, Roslyn Wakari claimed all three points with a 3-0 win in Wanaka.

Luke Clissold followed up and looked to have hit home, only for Britton Dowling to get a hand on it, but it fell kindly to Tennessee Kinghorn who headed home.

Harley Rodeka made it 2-0 when he volleyed an Oliver Colloty corner past Dowling.

Roslyn sealed the win on full time when Tom Connor played a delicate lofted through-ball which Clissold slotted home.

Southland defeated Dunedin Technical 2-0 in Invercargill, with goals in each half from Kenta Shimamura and Calem Castle.

Queenstown and Green Island had an entertaining game.

Queenstown prevailed 4-3 thanks to goals from Quinn McDonald,Jan Kumar and a brace from Carlos Hermann.

Green Island replied with three second-half goals to Oscar McCallion, Matt Brazier and Cody Robinson.

 - Neville Watson

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