With Northern needing to win to stay in the title race for the ODT Southern Premiership, a short trip to 7th-placed Roslyn looked like just the tonic after a recent dip in form. However, Roslyn was determined to show they were better than their current standing and started with a bang when Nathan Wilkie was left unchallenged in the box to head home a 3rd-minute corner. Roslyn played direct football, putting Northern under pressure, and the lead was doubled in the 21st minute from yet another uncontested corner that allowed Josh Marshall to direct the ball into the top right-hand corner, giving keeper Eli Urwin no chance. As news filtered through of Mosgiel beating University, Northern knew they had to respond and grew into the game, although they were guilty of being caught offside on numerous occasions, with their best opportunity coming from Tyler Muir's free kick on the edge of the box going narrowly wide.

In the opening stanza of the second half, Roslyn sliced through the defense with Ben Williams Davies shooting wide at the near post. Williams Davies then came even closer with his shot hitting both posts and somehow staying out. Northern responded with a spell of constant attacks, with Rory Hibbert and Luis Deaker shooting over the bar before substitute Toby Orchiston had two efforts saved by keeper Tom Stevens. Roslyn made sure of the points in the 91st minute when Gio Pribaz was fouled in the box, and Wilkie calmly slotted home the resultant penalty.

Northern's loss meant Mosgiel retained the championship title for a second successive year with a routine 5-0 victory over University at Logan Park. After last week's Chatham Cup endeavors, the students were flat-footed against the Plainsmen, with Mosgiel scoring three close-range finishes in the opening 25 minutes. The first two went to Rhys Quarrell, and Harvey Stephens tapped home from Luke Clissold's assist. George Duncan made it 4-0 in the 71st minute with a rocket of a shot from outside the box, and Max Davidson headed home two minutes from time, securing Mosgiel's 9th victory on the trot and clinching the title.

Dunedin City Royals moved into third place, a point behind Northern, following a 6-0 victory over Queenstown, with Conor Neil claiming a hat trick. Lucas Townend, following his recent scoring streak, claimed another two to move into second spot in the Golden Boot race with 13. Campbell Thompson made an impact off the bench, scoring the last goal with 10 minutes left.

Wānaka also moved up the table level with the Royals with a 2-0 win over Northern Hearts. Wānaka started strong and pushed high up the pitch, creating multiple chances in the opening minutes, and they opened the scoring in the 11th minute when a cross was put into the box, and Connor White, in an attempted clearance, found the back of the net for an own goal. Wānaka scored again in the 33rd minute, winning the ball high up the pitch, then delivering a great cross into the box where Ethan Arratia was on hand to put away a neat finish. Hearts started the second half well, but Wānaka didn't buckle and would have gone further ahead if not for some quality saves from Hamish Fikken, who also saved a penalty by diving to his left to push the ball away.

Green Island continued their recent upswing in form, beating Queens Park 3-1 at Sunnyvale. Queens Park opened the scoring with Anton Fitzgerald after only 5 minutes. However, Matt Hanrahan had the game level at halftime with his 37th-minute strike. Finley Kruger's two late goals in the 76th and 88th minutes ensured Green Island's 3rd successive win.

In the South Island League, Dunedin City Royals' match in Christchurch vs University of Canterbury was postponed due to the Royals' flight being canceled due to weather conditions. The top three teams all continued their winning ways, with Cashmere Tech beating Nelson 6-2, Christchurch United thumping FC Twenty 11-0, and Coastal Spirit overcoming Ferrymead 3-0. There are 4 points separating the three top teams with four games to go, with the top two going through to the National League.

Neville Watson - 3 August 2024