New Zealand Football Championship
Otago Utd 2, Waikato 2
Rab Smith
It took a superb penalty save by keeper James Waggett to preserve a 2-2 result with
Waikato in the New Zealand Football Championship match at Carisbrook today in Dunedin
Keeper Waggett won the eye-to-eye battle with former Otago player Joe Simpkins whose penalty was well struck, but keenly anticipated by the Otago keeper.
At that stage, the match was teetering on a knife edge after Otago’s early two nil lead had been clawed back by Waikato to produce a 2-2 
scoreline at the break.
Otago coach Malcolm Fleming will no doubt have some sleepless nights over his sides flip flop form that dominated in the early stages at Carsibrook, then went flat.
Above pic, Abbo nails Bunce for the coneded penalty kick.
A bath for Waikato intially looked likely as the home side slid passes around, ran well off the ball, and created a swag of goalscoring chances. 
Ben Light drew first blood after just seven minutes when a multi passing movement initiated by Ryan Faichnie froze the Waikato defence and Light picked his spot just inside the right upright to rifle in Otago’s first goal.
Then it was the rangy runner Nathan Knox, full of energy, twisting and turning who finished off a good move in the 17th minute and Otago was two goals up, with supporters baying for more…
But former All White and Waikato veteran Che Bunce,
playing in the unaccustomed role of striker urged his side back into the game, and from good service by Shaun van Rooyen, Jeff Campbell, and Simpkins, gaps started to appear in the home defence.
Above pic - Ben Light heads wide....
Full of energy, Mike Gwyther showed for passes and playing off Bunce it was no surprise when he exploded with two goals in seven minutes to make a quivering 2-2 halftime scoreline.
Waikato continued its thrusting form after the break, and from a sustained spell of pressure that featured free kicks and corners, the buckling Otago defence conceded a penalty.
Later Bunce explained his role up front was to run good angles and set up play. His script was perfect as the big former defender enticed a rash tackle from Otago’s 
Mike Abbott – in a position of no danger – but referee Dave Langley still pointed to the penalty spot.
Waggett’s save was a class act. No shrinking violet Joey Simpkins ignored the Englishman’s eye contact, and struck a firm shot, but the big keeper had done this before and anticipated well as he launched a stretching dive and flapped the ball to safety.
Otago produced an adrenalin fired finish, with new legs from the bench, Robbie Deeley, Tom Connor and defender Mike Smith, but while it was exciting, there was more passion than playmaking.
Considering the penalty award, it was probably Waikato that would feel most disappointed on the long journey home.
Bunce said,’ We really needed all three points…
Fleming said,’ We were lucky…’
NZFC RESULTS
Sunday
Otago United 2 (Ben Light 5’, Nat Knox 18’)
Waikato FC 2 (Michael Gwyther 31’, 38’)
Halftime: 2-2
Auckland City 1 (Ki-Hyung Lee 74’)
Canterbury United 1 (Aaron Clapham 45’)
Halftime: 0-1
Hawke’s Bay United 2 (Leon Birnie 32’, Matt Hastings 49’)
YoungHeart Manawatu 2 (Seule Soromon 45’, Campbell Banks 72’)
Halftime: 1-1
Table
NZFC |
P |
W |
D |
L |
For |
Ag |
GD |
Pts |
Auckland |
10 |
7 |
3 |
0 |
22 |
6 |
16 |
24 |
Waitakere |
12 |
7 |
2 |
3 |
23 |
19 |
4 |
23 |
Otago |
12 |
5 |
2 |
5 |
15 |
19 |
-4 |
17 |
Canty |
10 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
18 |
9 |
9 |
15 |
Wellington |
12 |
5 |
0 |
7 |
17 |
21 |
-4 |
15 |
H. Bay |
11 |
3 |
3 |
5 |
14 |
16 |
-2 |
12 |
Manawatu |
11 |
3 |
2 |
6 |
13 |
21 |
-8 |
11 |
Waikato |
12 |
3 |
1 |
8 |
15 |
26 |
-11 |
10 |
Golden Boot
9- Seule SOROMON (YoungHeart Manawatu)
7- Greg DRAPER (Team Wellington)
7- Leon BIRNIE (Hawke’s Bay United)
6- Grant YOUNG (Auckland City)
5- Brent FISHER (Waitakere United)
4- Tom LANCASTER (Canterbury United)
4- Roy KRISHNA (Waitakere United)
4- Michael GWYTHER (Waikato FC)
4- Aaron CLAPHAM (Canterbury United)
4- Ki-Hyung LEE (Auckland City)
3- Andrew ABBA (Hawke’s Bay United)
3- Dan PEAT (Waikato FC)
3- Dan EDE (Otago United)
3- Matt WILLIAMS (Auckland City) 
3- Russell KAMO (Canterbury United)
3- Dave DUGDALE (Otago United)
3- Benjamin TOTORI (Waitakere United)
3- Allan PEARCE (Waitakere United)
3- Nathan KNOX (Otago United)
3- Ben LIGHT (Otago United)
3- Campbell BANKS (Manawatu)
NEXT FIXTURES
NZFC
Sunday February 28, 2010
Waikato FC vs. Wellington, 1pm
Canterbury United vs.
Otago United, 2pm
Waitakere United vs. Hawke’s Bay 2pm
YoungHeart Manawatu vs. Auckland City, 2pm