Footballsouth Premier League

 

Pop Guns versus Gatling
Rab Smith

21 Goals in three Cup-ties suggests that Caversham is high calibre compared to opposition pop guns these days.

Roslyn-Wakari went down 8-2 on Saturday's Chatham Cup-tie, and joined Caversham's other victims, Tech at 5-1 and Mosgiel's recent 8-nil result.

Predictably Roslyn made a brave start, competed well and from several sorties forward looked capable of breaching Caversham's backline, and even had supporters jumping when referee Dave Langley waved away what looked like a possible penalty within five minutes play.

Sam Green combined with Tim Dalman to launch a shot at keeper James Waggett, and for a few moments Caversham wobbled.

But coach Steve Fleming's side answered in the most positive way, when former Roslyn players Harley Rodeka and Ant Hancock combined to open the scoring after 19 minutes.

Still reeling, Roslyn keeper Nathan Watt was again picking the ball from his net less than a minute later, when Tom Jackson scored the first of his hat-trick with a fierce drive to make the score 2-nil.

It was Deja Vu writ large, as Roslyn did a Mosgiel, worked very hard, won a good share of possession but could not translate into clean cut goalscoring chances.

The score remained 2-nil at the break, thanks to good defending by Dave Shaw and Brad Johnstone, plus a hard working midfield screen led by Sam Mepham, James Watson and Tom Connor.

However like a combination punching boxer, Cavy jabbed then kinghit in the 62 and 64 minutes, then 73 and 77 minutes, then 86 and 87 minutes, to notch six goals in the second half.

One intimidating factor in Caversham's attack is the confident way that players push forward, so that even if clever moves break down, they can still steal back possession and set up second phase attacks.

Patrick Fleming produced a polished display of both sweat and inspiration, with Jackson not far behind and Hancock also swivelling around like mini tank - rarely losing possession, and always with an eye on goal.

If coach Fleming had criticism it was the crumbling of Caversham's defence as Roslyn finished with spirit and both Dalman and Peter Rae scored late goals.

It will be more than interesting to see how Caversham goes against its next Cup opponent in an Open draw - or will it be a Canterbury side

In Chch, penalty shootout heroics from goalkeeper Adam Highfield sealed a 4-3 spot kicks win for Ferrymead Bays over Western in Christchurch with the Ferrymead custodian saving Western’s first and fifth penalties at Cuthbert’s Green.

FPL table	P	W	D	L	For	Ag	GD	Pts
Dunedin Technical	12	11	1	0	39	4	35	34
Caversham	10	9	1	0	41	7	34	28
Roslyn Wakari	10	6	0	4	27	18	9	18
Mosgiel	11	5	2	4	25	19	6	17
University	12	4	3	5	19	26	-7	15
Spirit FC	12	4	2	6	24	35	-11	14
Queenstown	11	3	1	7	14	25	-11	10
Northern	12	3	1	8	14	30	-16	10
Grants Braes	12	3	1	8	16	34	-18	10
Green Island	10	2	0	8	7	28	-21	6

 

In the FPL match at Ocean Grove, Aaron Burgess headed Dunedin Technical into a 15th minute lead over Grants Braes, but Al Laidler’s side hit back with a Doni Dejesus equalizer five minutes later.

A fine display by Braes captain Marcus Mineba who played in goal since regular keeper Josh Columbus was injured, kept Technical at bay until the break.

It took until the 76th minute before Mike Flaws beat Mineba with a far post header, then Flaws clinched the result with another late goal for the 3-1 result.

At the Caledonian ground, Northern presented University with an Own Goal after 24 minutes, and the students went on to earn three points with an eventual 3-1 win. At Memorial park, Mosgiel drew nil-all with Spirit FC.

In the Women’s Knockout Cup fixture played on Saturday, Halswell United reached the semi finals with a 3-1 win over Roslyn Wakari in Christchurch.

Penny Chapman netted a goal in each half with Gabrielle Brodie rounding out the scoring for the home side and Kelly Brazier scoring for Roslyn.

Footballsouth Results

ODT Premier Men 2010: 
University 3, Northern 1; Grants Braes 1, Dunedin Technical 3; Mosgiel 0, Spirit FC 0:

  Div 2:  Green Island 2nds 1, Dunedin Technical 2nds 2; Mosgiel 2nds 1, University 2nds 3; Caversham 2nds 14, Grants
  Braes 2nds 0;Mornington 0, Roslyn Wakari 2nds 3:

  Div 3:  Green Island 3rds 6, Dunedin Technical 3rds 0; Caversham 3rd 7, Melchester 0; Mosgiel 3rds 4, Roslyn
  Wakari  Black 0; Roslyn Wakari White 2, Northern 3rds 3:

  Div 4:  Dunedin Tech 4th 1, Melchester 1; Melchester Sharks 0, Caversham Smeg 1; Roslyn 4th White 3, Grants Braes 4th 2;
  Green Island 4ths 1, Roslyn Wakari 4th Black 1:

  Div 5:  Northern B 2, Caversham Phoenix 4:

  Div 6:  Roslyn Wakari Moas 1, Melchester Rovers 1; Grants Braes Black 4,  Northern Masters 1; Roslyn Wakari,   Originals 0, Roslyn Wakari Stallions 6;Mosgiel Masters 1, Grants Braes Yellow 1; Highgate Hobbitts 8, Green Island Green 0; Dunedin
  Tech. Gerries 4, Dunedin Tech. Colts 1;Dunedin Tech. Frotters 5, Northern Relics 1:

  Chatham Cup 2010:  Caversham AFC 8 Roslyn Wakari AFC 2: Goal Scorers Tom Jackson (3) Patrick Fleming (2) Seamus Ryder (1),  Anthony Hancock (2)