A three-way title scrap remains as the Women’s Southern Premier League reaches its climax.
Just three points separate the top three — Green Island and the Dunedin City Royals tied on 39 points, and Otago University three points back — with two weeks remaining.
That came after wins to all three teams on Saturday.
Green Island had a convincing 6-1 win over Roslyn Wakari, as Hannah Post scored a hat-trick at Ellis Park.
The Royals also scored six — Charlotte Summers and Ruby Burgess netting two goals each — to beat Queens Park 6-0 in Invercargill.
Caitlin Toohey came at the hour-mark to score two for University, as they beat Northern 2-0 after being held for 74 minutes at Logan Park.
The results put huge significance on this week’s game between Green Island and the Royals.
Green Island has played an extra game than both the Royals and University but has a favourable goal difference.
University remain in the hunt with two games against Queens Park to come, although will rely on other results to go their way.
In the women’s South Island league Otago University had a 2-0 loss to Cashmere Technical in Christchurch.
The result pulls Cashmere to within four points of University, with a game in hand, giving them a chance to overtake the students in second place.
Roslyn Wakari finished their campaign with a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to Nelson Suburbs at Logan Park.
Isla Smith gave Roslyn a 21st minute lead, before Abigail Platt equalised for Nelson in the 58th minute.
However, Sola Tsuruta slotted an injury time penalty to snatch victory for the visitors.
In the men’s Southern League, the Dunedin City Royals beat Selwyn 3-1 at Tahuna Park.
The returning En Watanbe linked well with the midfield and striker Will Turner immediately had Selwyn under pressure.
That helped the Royals take an early 11th-minute lead, when Tom Milton dispatched a penalty.
Jack Julian scored in the 25th minute, when he made a trademark jinking run and shot home from 10 yards, making it 2-0.
Selwyn got back into the match as halftime approached and they had a goal ruled out for offside but were not to be denied in first half stoppage time, when an inswinging corner was not cleared and Finlay Cotton bundled it home from close range.
Royals coach Blair Scoullar made some changes, and Cato Williams scored the winner in the 71st minute, five minutes after coming on.
Wānaka were beaten 2-1 by Ferrymead Bays in Christchurch. Ed Belingher rifled in a 40th-minute equaliser from the edge of the box to leave the match finally balanced at the break.
Bays got the winner in the 79th minute with a fortuitous penalty.
Coastal Spirit took a massive stride in winning the league with a 2-0 victory over Christchurch United.
The result means United may miss out on the National League for the second year in a row.
Should Spirit beat Universities of Canterbury next week they will be the South Island champions. Cashmere Tech are second following a 4-0 win over UC.
In the men’s ODT Southern Premier League University beat Green Island 3-1, despite Flynn Crocker’s first half own goal giving Green Island the lead.
Oscar Crowe equalised on 64 minutes, then Josh Kotkamp put the students ahead on 77 minutes.
Green Island had both Spencer Smith and coach Jared White sent off with five minutes to go and Paddy Tyrell finished the scoring for the students and injury time.
The Dunedin City Royals beat Roslyn Wakari 3-0 to jump them on the table, Lochie Ing-Aram and Kenny Nagata scoring in the first half, before George Barkers sealed it from the penalty spot in the 71st minute.
Mosgiel were made to work for their 4-2 victory over Old Boys, while Queens Park fought off a Hearts comeback to win 3-2.
— Neville Watson
