The Otago Daily Times Men’s Premiership got underway this week and all eight teams were in action, included the newly formed South City Royals. The opening fixture that took place on Tuesday saw University take on Northern under the floodlights at the Turf. 

University 6 – 1 Northern 

In front of a boisterous crowd, it was Northern who opened the scoring early on when Seamus Gray hammered in a rebound past Uni keeper Sam Prystupa. The lead didn't last for long though, with new Uni signing Aidan Barbour-Ryan slotting past Northern's new goalkeeper Liam Little. 

The opening 20 minutes were action-packed and Northern were up for the fight, but they fell behind when Yun Sung Chang curled in a shot from the edge of the box.Things quickly went from bad to worse for Northern when they were reduced to 10 men with striker Phil Dawson receiving a straight red card for a lunging challenge on Prystupa. 

University were immediately able to dictate the play, with the likes of Ben O'Farrell and En Watanabe starting to get on the ball and Barbour-Ryan taking players on at will.Watanabe added Uni's third on the half-hour mark, and minutes later the electric pace of Yun Sung Chang saw him provide O'Farrell with the easiest of finishes to extend the lead to 4-1.It wasn't entirely one-way traffic, with Northern striker Al Muwali fashioning a couple of efforts on goal. 

The second half lacked the intensity of the opening period, although University created numerous chances with the wind at their back. They finally added a fifth through a spectacular long-range effort from the superb Barbour-Ryan. Yun Sung Chang completed the scoring in the dying moments to cap-off an impressive display by the students.  

Roslyn Wakari 2 - 2 Green Island    

Last season’s champions Green Island kicked off their campaign at Ellis Park and started the stronger of the two teams with both Matt Milton and Adam Hewson missing early opportunities. 

Roslyn settled, absorbing the pressure and the home side hit back on the counter with some slick passing before Jamie Le Comte opened the scoring on 13minutes. Green Island’s Cam Anderson on debut was sent off on 39 minutes by referee Jack Henderson after accumulating his 2nd yellow card as his wayward arm struck Jak Stevenson in the face.  Green Island were then lucky not to have Alex Cox sent off as well when he remonstrated with the referee.  

Into the second half and Green Island were launching long balls from deep and it finally paid dividends when Adam Hewson latched his head onto one at the far post scoring the equaliser on 53minutes.  Harley Rodeka took the lead back for Roslyn 5 minutes later as he got on the end of a wide through ball and with his left foot struck across Firth. Island brought on Max Johnston up front and pushed for the equaliser.  

This allowed Brazier to drop deeper and run at the defence and it was from one such run that the equaliser came - a run into the box drew Roslyn’s backline and Shay Thom put in the challenge. Referee Henderson deliberated with both assistant referees before pointing to the spot.  Max Johnson sent Stevens the wrong way to make it 2-2 with 6 minutes left. Brazier had the chance for a late winner when another run and low driven shot at the far post was saved by the impressive Stevens. 

Queenstown 2 –2  South City Royals  

The Royals got their first match off to a perfect start with Ryan Fleming opening the scoring after only 68 seconds. The Royals dominated the opening exchanges at the Queenstown Events Centre.  The home side equalised when a shot from skipper Tom Mills was well saved by Liam Whittaker the Royals keeper, but debutant Graham Beveridge slotted the rebound nicely into the bottom corner. 

Whittaker then makes sure Queenstown don't take the lead when he denies Jack Niven from 10 yards out with an outstanding save taking the teams into half time locked at 1-1. 

Shortly into the 2nd half, Connor Neil scores with a stooping header from five yards as Queenstown can't cut out the cross. The Royals had control of the game however, with 15 minutes to go a pacey run down the flank is cut back to Niven, who turns and his scruffy shot finds the back of the net. 

Both teams pushed for the winner and both teams missed opportunities leaving the sides with a point a piece and the final score 2-2. 

Wanaka 1 - 1 Mosgiel  

Wanaka gave debuts to Goalkeeper Josh Shackleton and midfielder Tomas Tinka. Mosgiel had 4 debutants with Spencer Gable, Taylor Donaldson, Ben Reeve and Caleb Osborne all coming into the fold. 

Wanaka controlled possession early on without threatening Thomas Poole in goals. Mosgiel were playing their way into the game and kept a compact shape, looking to counter-attack and when a Wanaka attack broke down, Kasim Ali capitalised on the oppurtinity and subsequently gave the visitors the lead. 

The goal lifted Mosgiel and they became increasingly dominant down their left flank with Captain Rory Findlay and Donaldson causing problems for Wanaka. Wanaka then again took  control of the remainder of the first half, Levi Fletcher and Toa Roode in particular were impressive, causing problems with their skill and pace.  Wanaka Captain Thomas Van Hees and his centre back partner Scott Mitchell controlled the defensive third and midfielders Barry Grehan Fletch Cavanagh and Tom Tinka started to pull the strings in midfield.  

With 15 minutes to go, a corner won from a free kick led top Wanaka’s equaliser after the corner was cleared only as far to Fletcher Cavanagh on the edge of the box and he slotted home. Pleskun nearly pinched all 3 points for the home side in the closing stages when a quick short corner found the big striker whose leader skirmished the cross bar. 

Wanaka’s coach Ian Bell was disappointed not to claim the three points but was happy with the effort and desire his side displayed in the second half.  

Be sure to catch Footy Chat later this week as we look ahead to Round 2's fixtures and reflect on the opening matches. You can catch last week's episode here.

Article added: Sunday 21 March 2021