Connor Neil scored from the penalty spot in the 74th minute, before Kazik Swain volleyed home another seven minutes later, giving the Royals a 2-0 win at Tahuna Park.
United started with key possession, but struggled to find positive passes to threaten the Royals’ defence.
In turn the Royals looked dangerous in possession, using diagonal balls to Cato Williams, whose speed had the United defence stretched at times.
The first half was tight with United resorting to long balls over the top that resulted in a few half chances to Oliver Grosso.
The Royals squandered a few set pieces by over-hitting the ball and failure to get on the end of quality delivery from Williams and Louis Deaker.
In the second half the Royals kicked into gear with Raven August, Connor Neil, Max Davidson and Kazik Swain constantly pressing and harassing United’s midfield which allowed the Royals to find their rhythm.
On attack they found holes and spaces to get at United’s defence. The Royals made the breakthrough in the 74th minute, with Neil scoring from the penalty spot following a deliberate hand ball on the goal line.
The keeper saved Neil’s initial spot kick, however he moved too soon and Neil coolly sent the keeper the wrong way with the retake.
The Royals looked to kill the game off and stepped up the intensity off the ball to squeeze United.
That paid off when Sam Littlejohn’s 81st minute long throw was only cleared to the edge of the goal box to Swain, who chested the ball past the first defender, striking a left-footed volley into the top left-hand corner to seal all three points.
Northern lost 2-0 to Nomads in Christchurch with Nomads striker Flynn Holdem being the difference. He set up the first goal on 38 minutes for Angus McIntyre to tap in unoppossed at the far post, then 11 minutes before full time he stole the ball and scored from the edge of the box.
Wānaka were beaten 5-0 by second-placed Ferrymead to remain bottom of the table.
Northern Hearts remain unbeaten at the top of the league in the Southern Premiership following an entertaining 2-2 draw with second-placed Mosgiel.
Patrick Koppert put Mosgiel ahead on 32 minutes with an acrobatic scissor kick, with Hearts equalising nine minutes later when they broke from their own penalty box and Bailey Chambers held the ball up for Dakota Henderson to score from close range.
Mosgiel dominated proceedings early in the second half, but Hearts absorbed the pressure — showing why they are top of the table. They took the lead on their first foray into the opposition half through Kowin Hancock on 55 minutes.
It looked like Hearts would move six points clear atop the table, but could not hold on as substitute Matt Adye kept a cool head to bend his shot round the on-rushing keeper Matt Chambers to equalise in stoppage time.
At Sunnyvale late goals to Nick Treadwell and Aiden Kelly lifted Northern over Green Island 3-2, while the Royals lost the Blair Davidson Trophy in similar fashion, as Old Boys scored a pair of late goals to take a 3-2 victory.
Otago University came from two goals down to beat Roslyn Wakari 2-2 in the late game at Logan Park.
In the women’s Southern League the Dunedin City Royals beat Coastal Spirit 4-0 on the road. Three goals in the opening 20 minutes through Hannah McKay-Wright, Georgia Nixon and Hannah Scott made the game safe, before Nixon rounded out the scoring in the last minute of the match.
Georgia Kennedy gave Otago University the lead yesterday, before substitute Holly Lyon scored two as UC Football won the university derby 2-1.
Roslyn Wakari played out a goalless draw away against Nelson Suburbs in yesterday’s late game. — Neville Watson
