The side was given a 6-1 thrashing by a classy Team Wellington in yesterday’s national football premiership match in the capital.
Wellington scored its goals in three sets.
Southern pegged back one after trailing 6-0, although the game was well gone by that point.
Two goals in quick succession left Southern chasing the game from the start.
Jack-Henry Sinclair put the host team in front after 10 minutes, heading in a corner from the back post.
Ollie Bassett doubled that in the 13th minute.
Keeper Liam Little came out to shut down an attack from Andrew Bevin, who found Bassett to tap in.
Southern held out Wellington for the remainder of the half, although was unable to peg one back.
That resistance did not last long after the break.
Rory McKeown made it 3-0 in the 47th minute, smashing a half-volley into the bottom corner from the top of the box.
Two minutes later 17-year-old Marko Stamenic, on debut, fired in another.
Southern began to create its own chances, but it was Team Wellington that was able to next capitalise.
It was substitute Hamish Watson who made it five, heading in from the back post on the 63rd minute.
Sinclair added his second two minutes later, scoring from long range to leave Southern facing a six-goal deficit with 25 minutes still to play.
Southern finally pulled one back as striker Garbhan Coughlan finished when Wellington keeper Scott Basalaj fumbled a free kick.
Despite the loss, Southern remains in sixth place on seven points.
Meanwhile, Wellington climbs to 14 points and remains among the league front-runners in second.
In other matches, Hawke’s Bay United beat Waitakere United 4-2 to remain in third, while Hamilton Wanderers beat Tasman United 3-2.
Wellington Phoenix Reserves drew 3-3 with Canterbury United, while Auckland City and Eastern Suburbs played out a scoreless draw.
Southern hosts Auckland City next week in the final round before the Christmas break.
- In the national women’s final, Canterbury United Pride won 4-2 on penalties over Northern Lights after the match was tied 1-1 after extra time.
