Football: Caversham stretches lead; ground conditions thwart Tech

Caversham extended its lead in the FootballSouth Premier League to 11 points with a solid 4-1 win over Roslyn Wakari at Tonga Park.

Second-placed Technical did not play, as its match against Green Island was postponed due to the waterlogged ground at Sunnyvale.

In a tight contest, with possession and territory shared evenly, Caversham displayed clinical accuracy in and around the Roslyn penalty area.

To be a title contender, Roslyn must improve its strike rate in creating and finishing chances.

Caversham took the lead in the 32nd minute when Simon Ward rose unchallenged to head home from a corner.

Just 10 minutes later, midfielder Andrew Ridden displayed some silky skills with a penetrating attacking run into the Roslyn penalty area.

Some well-executed passes from Ridden's attack lead to Charles Owen finding time and space to convert and provided the home team with a 2-0 cushion at the interval.

Ridden was again the provider after he chased down a perfect one-touch through ball near the left-hand touchline.

His cross was driven into the edge of the penalty area, and met with perfect timing by Sam Collier, who laced his first-time shot into the top right-hand corner for the goal of the game.

Roslyn was rewarded for its endeavour in the 69th minute when Joe Larson stroked in a quality strike from the edge of the box to keep in touch with the host side.

Caversham sub Tore Waechter was the beneficiary of a poor clearance by Roslyn keeper Mike Rae in the 84th minute and finished his opportunity with ease to complete the scoring.

Queenstown Rovers demolished Northern 7-0 at the Caledonian Ground.

Daniel McClafferty had an excellent match for the visiting side and was rewarded with a hat trick.

Queenstown's Andrew Trethowan opened the scoring in the 10th minute before McClafferty notched two goals, the best being a dipping volley from 25m.

He completed his hat trick in the final minutes when midfielder Nick Park delivered a pinpoint corner to the far post for McClafferty to nod home with authority.

At Tahuna Park, University was too strong for Mosgiel, winning 3-1.

University started strongly and found the back of the net in the 15th minute with a diving header by Peter Rae.

Sam Brailsford scored the second after good build-up work down the left-hand flank, while Logan Wrightwebb notched University's third goal with a header from a corner.

Regan Coldicott scored Mosgiel's only goal.

By Wilson James. 

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