Green Island V University

With the opening round of the top 4 playoffs underway University knew a win would close the gap to Green Island who hold a 100% record and University bossed the opening 10 minutes however a loose square ball was intercepted by Green Islands Matt Brazier and he coolly slotted home past Luke Schaffer-Swan.The goal gave Green Island confidence and they dominated the rest of the first half . Four minutes later good interplay between Matt Milton  and Eddie Wilkinson led to a low cross being driven into the penalty box and Genta Kojima stole ib behind his marker to make it 2.0. Kojima then turned provider as Wilkinson raced onto his  through ball and finished past Schaffer-Swan with his left foot. With a 3.0 half time lead the game lost some structure until Ben Stanley pulled one back past the unsighted Christian Firth in the 72nd minute . Firth then pulled off a stunning save 3 minutes later to deny the students . Schaffer-Swan gotvin on the act on 77minutes to pull off a top save from Liam Carringtons effort. Green Island made the game safe when Tom Milton scored a trade mark free kick from 22yards out with 10minutes left.

Mosgiel v Wanaka

Wanaka came with a clear and well-executed game plan to sit deep and force Mosgiel to try and break down their tight and compact defensive unit. As a result, Mosgiel dominated possession for large periods of the match. In the first half though, they were guilty of being too passive in possession and then losing the ball in dangerous areas, allowing Wanaka to counter attack quickly.

On several occasions, Wanaka's Adam Hewson was released quickly into space on the right wing and drove at pace toward the Mosgiel goal. Some quality cover defence from Mosgiel centre back Rory Findlay time and again kept Hewson from getting one on one with the Mosgiel keeper. Eventually, Mosgiel found a way to break down the Wanaka defence in the 26th minute.

Some sharp interplay on the left wing between Kasam Ali, Matt Kelly and Cam Anderson resulted in Anderson being released in behind the Wanaka defence. He then weaved his way past a couple of defenders before firing a low driven ball across the 6 yard box that was turned into the net by Thomas Van Hees for an own goal. In the dying seconds of the half Alex Cox had a glorious opportunity to make it 2 nil from a well worked Mosgiel corner, but he put his header millimetres wide of the goal.

It was a cagey opening to the second half with Mosgiel again dominating possession but struggling to break the opposition down. The game came to life in the 65th minute when Wanaka showed their attacking quality, opening up the Mosgiel defence with a blistering counter attack that saw Adam Hewson beat defenders and then  firing past Liam Whittaker in the Mosgiel goal. At 1-1 the game opened up, with both sides pushing for a winner.

Mosgiel were the first to strike in the 76th minute when Anderson delivered a pinpoint free kick into the box for Mosgiel centre back Liam Dungey to head home. Mosgiel capitalised on the momentum swing and seven minutes later Anderson earned a penalty after a trademark mazy run when he was challenged by Thomas Van Hees. Alex Cox's penalty was initially saved by Wanaka keeper Lukas Schafer  however he pounced on the  rebound  for 3 - 1 lead. Another Anderson set piece brought the fourth and final goal on the 90th minute mark, with Rahan Ali getting his head on the end of the quality whipped in delivery.

4 - 1 it finished, a deserved win for Mosgiel however coach Cam McPhail acknowledged  the game was closer than the score line suggests.

For Wanaka coach Ian Bell despite the loss he is pleased with the improved attitude and commitment from the previous weeks loss to Varsity. Also the continued growth of home grown talent-  as no less than 9 Wanaka  junior players have taken part in the game is something to be Immensly proud of Xion Lippe once again competes well for 90 minutes, Ethan Arratia  plays 30 minutes and Jack Lanigan makes his debut off the bench.

Danillo Santana Everton Rossi and Michael Gealogo combined in Wanakas midfield to out play their opposition for a majority of the game  and  Gealogo performance gained him Wanakas man of the match.

Queenstown v Roslyn Wakari

Qtown used the larger Events Centre pitch to their advantage early on as potent goalscorer Willem Ebbinge  forced Tom Stevens  into a smart save low down to his  right and a shot then  hit the post. Despite struggling to keep possession Roslyn found  space  behind Queenstowns backline and Harley Rodeka hit the post. Luke Clissold's corners were  also causing havoc in the box but Roslyn couldn't  capitalise.

Queenstown took the lead through debutant 16 yr youngster Todd Vermeir  following an attack  down their right wing, drew Roslyns  defence across and then some neat passing found Vermeir  at the far post who finished with a powerful first time side foot just before halftime.

Roslyn coach  Terry Boylan introduced Yunny Chang at half time and  changed their   shape which allowed Roslyn  to keep possession more and Chang was energetic up front and he  soon found himself one on one with keeper Daniel Bocatios   but drilled  his shot high and wide. Roslyn  had the majority of attacking play and  Queenstown attacked on the counter but  found no way past  Roslyns defensive centre backs Luke Williams and Josh Lucas .

Lucas then played a key role in the equaliser getting on the end of another Clissold corner, Bocatios  was unable to hold the header and Nathan Wilkie  reacted to the loose ball poaching the equaliser with 60 minutes on the clock..Wilkie then gave Roslyn  the lead with a spectacular diving header from a   Clissold cross with 13 minutes left.  Queenstown had a chance late on with a dangerous cross across the face of the goal but nobody was able to force it home

Dunedin Technical v Northern.

Northern have been improving since Arran Wilkinsons arrival and when Phil Dawson spotted Tech keeper Alex Boomer off his line  in the 56th minute his sublime lob from 30 yards out was perfectly placed as it bounced on the goal line and into the roof of the net to give Northern a deserved 2.0 lead-  it looked like Northern might claim its first victory. Northern  had earlier opened the scoring in the 34th minute   when Mark James stabbed home  from close range following a corner.

Techs coach Malcolm Fleming was not happy with his teams first half performance and it was his substitute Chima Roberts goal on 60 minutes - 5 minutes after coming on that gave Tech a life line. Wilkinson had his team sit back to defend and with time virtually up Technicals Chris Boomer equalised in the 88th minute. There was still time for late drama when Rhys Quarrells effort in the 92nd minute just beat Alex Van Hessing in goal for a late winner that left Northern crestfallen.

- Neville Watson ODT