Roslyn beat Southland 7-1 in wet and windy conditions in Invercargill in their Southern Football Championship clash on Saturday.
Veteran striker James Govan netted a hat trick. His first goal came after only three minutes and then pacy wingman Nathan Wilkie made it 2-0 12 minutes later.
Southland did find the back of the net thanks to Liam Martin's effort but Govan netted three minutes later to restore the advantage on 36 minutes.
Wilkie's second just before halftime made the game safe for Roslyn.
Southland's Miguel Ortiz was sent off with 10 minutes left after a fracas with Roslyn's Luke Clissold. Roslyn took full advantage as first Govan tapped home with five minutes left and, two minutes, later Harley Rodeka went on a mazy run from deep and scored.
Yunny Chang, on debut, scored by cutting in off the left and slotting it into the far post in added time.
Tech dropped points in its home match against Wanaka and slipped to third on the table but will still be pleased with its second-half performance which earned it a 2-2 draw after being 2-0 down after only eight minutes.
Wanaka started with intensity, Steve Pleskun scoring after only two minutes when he outpaced his marker and, from an acute angle, drilled a low shot to beat Daniel Robinson at his near post.
Wanaka scored again in just the eighth minute when Thomas Van Hees intercepted a pass in his own half. He then found Weston Bell on the right flank, the ball was delivered to Pleskun and his driven cross was met by Van Hees who volleyed home from 6m.
Tech started to dominate possession and territory and went close to scoring when it hit Wanaka's post midway through the half but it remained 2-0 to Wanaka at the break.
The change of ends meant Tech had the wind and it made its territory and possession pay when Rhys Quarrell scored from close range on the hour mark after a goalmouth scramble and the equaliser came on 69 minutes when Tim McLennan pounced due a defensive error and he drilled a right-footed shot high into the net
Wanaka had to dig deep for the last nine minutes when Pleskun was sent off for his second yellow card but made sure it returned home with a point that pushes it above Southland in the league.
Green Island retains top spot on 15 points. Roslyn is two points adrift but has a game in hand. Tech's two dropped points could be crucial as it is in third, level with Roslyn, but has played a game more.
Queenstown Rovers beat Northern 2-0.
Goals in each half to Quin McDonald and Jan Kumar secured the points. Queenstown's hero was goalkeeper Daniel Bocatios who repelled Northern numerous times and ensured Queenstown's win puts it on 13 points, level with Roslyn and Tech.
- Neville Watson
