With the clock winding down, Technical swung on to attack and swept upfield. Midfielder Tim McLennan controlled the ball with his chest and went past Blake Porteous to slide a shot into the far corner for a stunning goal.
It sealed the win in a Football South Premier League game that had plenty of feisty moments.
Green Island was intent on securing second place and Technical was hopeful of continuing its recent fine form, which has seen it surge up the table.
Technical had an opportunity to take the early lead when it was awarded a free kick, but Liam Lockhart fired the shot just over the crossbar. Green Island responded with the Milton Brothers — Tom and Matt — working well in tandem upfront.
Technical goalkeeper Ben Dubyk palmed away a powerful shot from Green Island skipper Matt Mitchell after 16 minutes.Green Island had more of the possession and territory but was relying on long raking balls to try to get behind Technical’s tall defence. However, Technical’s smallest man, David Hayman, was having a stellar game, marshalling the defence and keeping both the dangerous Max Johnston and speedster Riley Cuthbert quiet. Green Island started to exert its territorial dominance with a succession of free kicks but could not convert.
The sides went into the break 0-0 and it was Technical that poached the opener.
Lockhart scored following a corner. With the ball bobbling in the box, the tall defender had a simple tap in past goalkeeper Stuart Catto from close range. It was nearly 2-0 when McLennan went on a scintillating run. His cross was met by a volley from Kalib Bouma-Tucker that flew over the crossbar.
Green Island coach Kevin Scoullar, sensing his team could still get something out of the game, rang the changes. And with seven minutes to go, a rather innocuous challenge in the penalty box resulted in a penalty that Max Johnson coolly converted to level the score.
In other matches, Caversham beat Queenstown 3-0 and University defeated Northern 3-2.
- Neville Watson
