University beat Roslyn Wakari 2-1, Timaru United upset Green Island 1-0 and Mosgiel won 2-0 against Northern Hearts.
Roslyn hosted University at Ellis Park and the students had the early advantage with a sustained period of possession and shooting from distance.
Cup matches are usually feisty affairs and the physicality ramped up quickly with tough challenges going in everywhere. Roslyn absorbed the pressure and in the 26th minute took the lead on the counter after a well-executed play flicked on over halfway saw Ben Williams-Davies coolly slot home over keeper Josh Yates.
The students were unable to find a way past goalkeeper Kavindu Bhagya, who made some key saves to ensure Roslyn held the halftime lead.
University coach Jerry Mackey made some changes early into the second half.
He was instantly rewarded through Blake Fairbairn drilling an equaliser from distance to the bottom right score on 54 minutes.
Two minutes later the students took the lead when Dom Hawkins pinpoint crossed and found Brad Setters to tap home.
The game was open with chances for both sides with Roslyn committing more players forward and stretching the University defence, calling for crucial tackles and blocks.
In the final stages, Yates made a great save with an outstretched foot late to deny Roslyn a chance to tie the game.
Ollie Gardner’s goal would have made it three but was scratched for offside.
The win means the students progress to the next round where they are also joined by Timaru United, who play in the lower grades of the South Canterbury region.
Timaru had an upset victory against Green Island, who for the second consecutive week suffered the heartbreak of conceding in injury time.
Tyler le Bherz scored in the 92nd minute and any chance of a late comeback was squashed when Oscar Ekdahl was sent off five minutes into time added on.
Northern Hearts also had a player sent off late in Robbie Heller, who was sent off for dissent following Harvey Stephens’ 81st minute goal for the Plainsmen.
Mosgiel threatened early with plenty of chances but Hearts keeper Matt Chambers was in good form.
It took 15 minutes before Patrick Koppert broke the deadlock reacting after his initial shot was blocked. Hearts showed why they are joint top of the Southern Men’s Premier League and pushed forward with a goal-bound effort headed off the goal line by Tyler Snow as the half hour approached.
With Mosgiel not taking their chances, Hearts thought they had equalised on 75 minutes but it was ruled out for offside.
Six minutes later, with Hearts on attack, they appealed for a penalty. Mosgiel won possession and broke free with Stephens, who started the move scoring the winner.
By Neville Watson
