New Zealand Football Championship
Otago's Light Shines...
Rab Smith 
Ben Light endeared himself to Otago United fans by making a dream debut and scoring twice in the 3-1 win over Team Wellington at Carisbrook.
Light, ( pic right ) recently back from Australia, played in an unaccustomed left side midfield role, looked comfortable, and showed his eye for goals by materializing into space to drill a brace past Wellington keeper James Bannatyne.
Yet in the early stages it was all Wellington as coach Stu Jacobs team unleashed 
early attacks that had Chris Davies score from close range after only three minutes when Otago failed to clear a corner played to the far stick and headed back across goal.
Playing impressive attacking football, Wellington looked capable of outplaying and out-muscling Otago, who were let-off when Davies headed over the crossbar from a handy position.
But as he has done in most matches this season, team captain Tim Horner rallied his troops, and with Tom Sadd and flank defenders Tristan Prattley and Mike Abbott
plugged the gaps.
Wellington continued to string passes together, but lacked penetration, and few clear goalscoring chances were allowed by Otago.
An immensely hard working midfield led by Robbie Deeley and Andy Coburn screened across the park, and from wide positions Ryan Faichnie, and Light made headway.
In central attack Dave Dugdale springheeled into contention against Michael Winsauer and Greg McDermott and that Scots bag of tricks Stu Kelly stole possession and slid passes around.
So it was no surprise when Deeley twisted and turned to set up Light who equalized with aplomb in the 31st minute. And took off on a delighted lap of honour. In great contrast to the Wellington defenders...
pictured at left ....
Then with both coaches formulating halftime talks, Otago rocked Wellington with a 45th minute goal as Kelly set up Dugdale to score, albeit for a superb twisting shoulder high volley that flashed by Bannatyne.
Wellington started the second spell in similar manner to the first but Otago withstood early pressure, and continuing its high mileage midfield screening grabbed the game by the scruff of the net.
In contrast to the visitors slow build up, Otago burst up the flanks with Prattley and Faichnie getting behind defenders to cross, and Wellington started to make 
mistakes at the back.
Faichnie crossed, Wellington failed to clear, and between Kelly and Deeley they fashioned a half chance that Light calmly slotted to make the score 3-1.
James Reichwein replaced the tiring Light and played his targetman role to perfection. Rhys Henderson who had replaced Abbott had the gas to get forward, and Dugdale played out of his skin.
Leading Wellington scorer Greg Draper was closed down, but Davies looked likely for Wellington, as did Chris Bale when he broke through and forced a very good save from Waggett.
But as the game progressed it was Otago that then looked composed and played the ball around as the clock ticked down.
Clearly disappointed Wellington assistant coach Charlie Howe agreed that Otago was well worth the three points. ‘ The competition is getting tighter than ever now.’
Otago captain Horner said,’ Apart from that early pressure, I felt we were rarely tested in front of goal, and once we got our second wind I felt comfortable.’
Four points behind tied leaders Auckland and Waitakere, third placed Otago has now wriggled away to a four point lead over the following bunch of five teams which themselves are separated by just four points.
NZFC Table
Name |
P |
W |
D |
L |
For |
Ag |
GD |
Pts |
Auckland |
8 |
6 |
2 |
0 |
19 |
4 |
15 |
20 |
Waitakere |
10 |
6 |
2 |
2 |
16 |
15 |
1 |
20 |
Otago |
10 |
5 |
1 |
4 |
13 |
13 |
0 |
16 |
Wellington |
10 |
4 |
0 |
6 |
13 |
17 |
-4 |
12 |
Canterbury |
8 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
11 |
8 |
3 |
11 |
Manawatu |
9 |
3 |
1 |
5 |
11 |
13 |
-2 |
10 |
Waikato |
10 |
3 |
0 |
7 |
12 |
22 |
-10 |
9 |
H. Bay |
9 |
2 |
2 |
5 |
11 |
14 |
-3 |
8 |
RESULTS
Saturday
Waitakere United 1 (Tim Myers 70’)
Auckland City 1 (Chad Coombes 51’)
Halftime: 0-0
Attendance: 2,238
Sunday
*Hawke’s Bay United P
Canterbury United P
Halftime: P-P
*Match postponed due to waterlogged pitch at Park Island, Napier
Otago United 3 (Ben Light 31’, Dave Dugdale 45’+2, Ben Light 48’)
Team Wellington 1 (Chris Davies 3’)
Halftime: 2-1
YoungHeart Manawatu 2 (Daniel Benson 17’, Seule Soromon 45’)
Waikato FC 3 (Jeff Campbell 49’, 69’, Michael Gwyther 70’)
Halftime: 2-0
Save and a half by Waggett keeps Otago alive ...