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Pre-Season action at Tahuna

 

Sth League Championship to Tech
Rab Smith

Dunedin Technical finished the season in style by beating Caversham 4-1 to win the South Island Football Championship on Saturday at the Caledonian ground.

Technical looked to be a long shot when captain Andy Coburn failed a late fitness test, but top matches by Blair Scoullar and Aaron Burgess inspired coach Mike Fridge’s young side.

After playing most of the season in defence, Scoullar showed he still has an eye for goals. His opener in the 14th minute was superbly taken.

Despite being ring fenced by red shirts, he climbed high to loop a header into the top right corner of the goal, just above a despairing leap by centreback Tim Horner at the far post.

Technical continued to look the hungrier of the two sides, and its reshuffled midfield, led by the effervescent George Milne, who was named Technical’s Man of the Match, did not let Caversham settle.

However a typical rapier counter attack by Caversham broke quickly up the right wing and a driven cross was headed past keeper Cam Burns by Robbie Deeley to square the match after 23 minutes.

In perfect weather, the large crowd was treated to a top class contest as both sides sought supremacy. Technical’s Milne, Sam Enright, and Riki Chidley battled to deliver ball forward, while Alistair Rickerby racked up miles as he broke from deep positions.

Deeley led the Caversham midfield effort, with Hamish Chang, Darren Overton, and Blair Duncan trying to hook up with frontrunners David Dugdale and Tom Jackson.

But under Technical’s pressure, the classic Caversham passing game stuttered and opted for too many aerial balls which Technical’s centrebacks Cam Parkin and Matt Joy easily cleared.

Joy had a particularly strong match, and added the icing to his performance when he restored Technicals lead with a booming header from set play to make the score 2-1 at halftime.

Caversham strung more passes together in the second half, but even some tailored lay-offs by Dugdale were ballooned over the crossbar from handy positions.

Meanwhile Golden Boot winner Burgess showed his skills with penetrating runs, and one attempted overhead bicycle kick sailed narrowly wide.

Scoullar settled for a more direct approach and when the ball sat up knee high in the 56th minute, he hammered a ferocious 20 metre volley past keeper Waggett’s flailing arms.

Caversham continued to snatch at the trigger, spurning a couple of very good chances, and midway second half, coach Steve Fleming gambled with a mass substitution of three players.

On came Tim Cook, Rhys Henderson and Alex McGregor with almost immediate results as Cook launched a header just over Technicals crossbar, and later had a close range shot cleared off the goal line.

But the maroon defence remained resolute, and it was Technical’s young substitute, Michael Still who sealed the match with a late run and accurate shot to clinch the Championship with a 4-1 scoreline.

At the aftermatch, coach Fleming conceded that Technical had deserved the win. ‘ They finished better than we did,’ he said.

Technical’s Fridge said,’ Last weeks win in Christchurch sparked us up a bit. Losing Andy ( Coburn ) was a blow, but as doors shut, others open, and our youngsters did the club proud with strong and skilful performances.’

‘ Among many excellent performances, George Milne’s industry and drive set standards in midfield. He was our Man of the Match,’ said Fridge.

In the curtain-raiser more young talent was on display as unbeaten Mosgiel beat Waitaki Boys High School 2-nil with goals from Reuben Simpson to clinch the Youth League.

South Island Champions, Dunedin Technical

Southern Premier League Winner Caversham

Caversham	16	14	0	2	64	12	52	42
Dunedin Technical	16	13	0	3	56	8	48	39
Roslyn Wakari	16	9	0	7	35	36	-1	27
Mosgiel	16	8	1	7	39	45	-6	25
Team	P	W	D	L	For	Ag	Diff	Pts
Green Island	15	8	1	6	42	34	8	25
Queenstown	15	7	1	7	29	32	-3	22
Spirit FC	15	5	3	7	29	38	-9	18
Northern	15	4	2	9	23	42	-19	14
University	14	4	1	9	23	43	-20	13
Grants Braes	14	2	2	10	13	34	-21	8

 

Youth League Winners Mosgiel