Kazik Swain returned from injury and Raven August, back after a 12-month break, made an immediate impact. August combined with Connor Neil to go one-on-one with the Northern goalkeeper Eli Urwin in the first few minutes, narrowly pulling his shot wide.
Northern and Royals had contrasting styles — Northern looking to play direct and long to target Nick Treadwell, while the Royals looked to control possession and move quickly in forward transitions.
The Royals’ early pressure succeeded when Max Davidson was fouled in the box and Connor Neil calmly slotted home the penalty on 13 minutes.
Northern, with Treadwell’s physical presence, made Royals centre back pairing of Jed Collings and Sam Drake work hard.
Northern grew into the game while the Royals utilised long throw-ins, corners and constructed build-ups around the box, but could not find the net despite having the majority of the possession.
In the second half, the Royals were tenacious and disciplined in defence — while Northern were not so disciplined with six yellow cards.
Neil thought he scored again when he contested the ball with Urwin but it was ruled out for a foul.
Wānaka travelled to Selwyn and the visitors started well, gaining the lead on 16 minutes.
They pressed and forced Selwyn into an error and the ball was played into Wynn Skinner in the box who scored.
Selwyn found an equaliser on 37 minutes when Liam Coleman scored from close range.
An entertaining game looked like it would finish 1-1 and the point would keep Wānaka above Selwyn,.
But Selwyn substitute Harry Brindley broke the offside trap and, from the edge of the box, he placed his shot across the despairing dive of keeper Josh Shackleton to give the home side a 2-1 victory.
• Northern Hearts remain top of the Southern Premiership following a 3-1 win over Royals.
After a tight first half, Northern Hearts took the lead straight from the restart when Harrison Brokenshire curled his long-range effort into the top corner.
Lucas Tarrant made it 2-0 10 minutes later.
Bailey Chambers drew in three defenders, allowing Brokenshire space to score again.
Ashton Hodsons headed home late for Royals.
University are second after a 3-0 victory against Green Island.
Blake Fairbairn gave the students a 28th minute lead and Dom Hawkins and Jong Lee added two in injury time.
For the second game in a row Queens Park look to have the three points, but conceded yet another injury time equaliser with Northern’s Brayden Thorburn scoring in the 92nd minute to make it 2-2.
Queens Park were 2-0 up after only 20 minutes through Zac Owen-Gear and Jakab Ballie.
Aiden Kelly scored for Royals and Thorburn’s equalised.
Roslyn Wakari lost 2-1 to Mosgiel.
Luke Clissold and Matt Adye scored to give the Plainsmen a 2-0 lead at the break.
Dom Madden scored to pull one back for Roslyn.
• In the women’s Southern League, Otago University claimed a 3-0 win over NW United Park yesterday.
Two quick goals in the 15th and 17th minutes to Ashley Geusebroek and Bridget Merkel gave them a 2-0 lead, before Geusebroek added another after halftime.
Roslyn Wakari were beaten 4-0 by Universities of Canterbury, while Dunedin City Royals’ game against Nelson Suburbs was not played due to flight issues.
By Neville Watson
