Southland emerged as 2-1 victor, although it was a result which came in dramatic circumstances.
Roslyn started the stronger, creating an opportunity in the opening minute when Nathan Wilkie dragged a shot across the face of the goal. Southland — which had not played for three weeks and was missing four of its international players — was sluggish early on. It was no surprise when Wilkie again got past his marker and drove in a low cross for Cam Anderson to score on seven minutes. Southland then battled back to have control of the game.
It had a couple of chances, but one tremendous save from Roslyn’s Tom Stevens and a lack of composure in front of goal kept Roslyn ahead.
Late in the first half, Southland was awarded a penalty after Wilkie collided with Southland’s skipper inside the box. Hayato Wakino calmly placed the ball in the bottom right-hand corner after sending Stevens the wrong way in the 43rd minute.
The second half was relatively even, the game becoming stretched as both teams tired and the intensity dropped as both teams looked to counterattack.
With 90 minutes up on the clock, it seemed honours would be shared. However, deep into stoppage time, referee Richard Jones awarded Southland a penalty when he adjudged Harley Rodeka to have made contact with Wakino. After a lengthy delay, with bookings for dissent to Roslyn’s Kinghorn, Stevens and Rodeka and Shay Thom being sent off, Wakino duly dispatched his second penalty of the day in the 96th minute.Southland coach Luis Paiva,
while unable to put into words how happy his side was with the three points, did concede the result was harsh on Roslyn.Southland now joins Technical and Queenstown atop the table with 13 points apiece.
Fifth-placed Caversham gave its top three hopes a boost with a 3-0 win over Green Island at Hancock Park.
Caversham started strongly and did not take its foot off the pedal. Ben Kiore scored at the far post following a quality left field cross from Ben Wade. In the second half Caversham played a wider game which opened up space, and Michael Hogan made the game safe when his shot from the edge of the box beat Stewart Catto.
Allan McBride made sure Caversham took all three points when he scored in the 75th minute.
The win means Caversham catches up with Roslyn on 11 points. At Memorial Park, Mosgiel scored in the first minute through Dan Gruppelaar and did not let up against Otago University.
It won 7-2, Riley Anderton scoring three goals.
- Neville Watson
