The 2019 ODT Southern Premier League looks like it could be a more even competition than ever, with some shock scorelines in yesterday's opening round. University, Mosgiel, Queenstown, Green Island, and newcomers Wanaka all got their seasons off to a winning start. There was almost a festival atmosphere at Tahuna Park, where three matches were played in superb sunny conditions.

Green Island 5-2 Northern

Green Island did it the hard way but eventually overcame Northern in the early kickoff match at Tahuna Park. Northern played with an impressive tempo and went into the break tied at 2-2, goals to Iori Carryer and a penalty scored by Luke Mitchell cancelling out strikes by Matt Brazier and Lewis Wall. Green Island were reduced to 10 men after Tom Milton was sent off just before the break. Green Island however pulled away in the second half with goals to Matt Milton, Brynn Sinclair, and a second for Wall to win 5-2. Coach Richard Kerr-Bell was impressed with the efforts of Christian Firth in goal, Ryan Fleming and Lewis Wall, while Harry Fraser and Jonny Woodall were Northern's best.
 

Roslyn Wakari 1-2 Queenstown

Both teams featured plenty of changes from last season's squads as Queenstown travelled to Forrester Park to take on Roslyn Wakari. With the wind at their back, the Dunedin side had the better of the first half and kept Queenstown pinned in their own half. Roslyn were eventually rewarded just before the break when Queenstown keeper Daniel Bocatios brought down youngster Oliver Colloty with a penalty awarded. Colloty converted the spot-kick himself to give the home team a 1-0 advantage at the halftime break.

It ended up being a genuine game of two halves though as the visitors took advantage of the breeze at their back and they equalised early in the second half when striker Carlos Herrmann curled a freekick over the wall and past a helpless Tom Stevens in goal. Queenstown continued to look likely, and finally found the winner with about 15 minutes to play when debutant Luke Caister headed the ball to Zac Hourston to tap-in from close range.

There was plenty of action in the closing minutes with Roslyn Wakari pushing for an equaliser and Queenstown having a goal disallowed, but the visitors hung on for a 2-1 win. Queenstown coach Jamie Whitmarsh picked out Jake Johnson as his best, while teenager Colloty impressed for Roslyn.
 

Otago University 2-0 Caversham

University proved they will be a force to be reckoned with this season with a convincing 2-0 win over perennial powerhouse Caversham at Tahuna Park. Although a number of new signings were making their debut, the student side took no time in gelling with captain Dom Scahill opening the scoring with a header from close-range in the 14th minute. Just 8 minutes later, Ben Stanley doubled the lead with a stunning curled strike from out wide on the left.

Both teams created chances in the second half but University were reasonably comfortable in holding onto their lead for a memorable win. Teenager Oban Hawkins, who has already represented the Futsal Whites international side and won the Chatham Cup with Birkenhead United, was a standout on his club debut. Others to impress included Tim O'Farrell along with Allan McBride up against his former club. Caversham's best included Connor Neil, midfielder Andrew Ridden, and 16-year-old debutant Storm Doherty.
 

Dunedin Technical 0-3 Mosgiel

Next door on Tahuna #1, two more new-look sides were in action as last year's champions Dunedin Technical were stunned by Mosgiel. Player-coach Cam McPhail's side attacked right from the start, with wingers Cody Brook and Cam Anderson in electric form and almost unstoppable at times. McPhail opened the scoring in just the 3rd minute when he headed in a pinpoint corner and Brook scored the second a few minutes later. Striker Riley Anderton rattled the crossbar with a header, before Anderson's efforts were rewarded by cleverly tucking the ball into the far post from close range after some great build-up play by young skipper Rory Findlay.

Along with the attacking trio, Findlay and new signing Alex Cox were also impressive for Mosgiel, along with McPhail in defence. For Technical, skipper Andy Coburn never gave up, and attacker Robert Chima looked threatening when allowed space. 
 

Southland United 2-4 Wanaka

The league's new kids on the block Wanaka sent out a warning to the rest of the competition with an impressive 4-2 win first-up in Invercargill. Steve Pleskun opened the scoring for Wanaka after 12 minutes and proceeded to score a first-half hat trick, scoring again in the 25th and 43rd minutes, impressing with clinical finishing mixed with power and pace.

Southland pulled a goal back through Angel Alberto Garcia just before the break but Pleskun scored Wanaka's - and his own - fourth goal on the hour mark. The home team scored a late consolation goal thanks to captain Jack Boland but Wanaka will be delighted with their first-up win. Wanaka goalkeeper Britton Dowling made a couple of crucial saves and defender Thomas Van Hees and ex-All White Blair Scoullar were calming influences along with the outstanding Pleskun. Wanaka can look forward to an intriguing derby match in Queenstown next weekend.

- by Morgan Jarvis. Email corrections etc to morgan.jarvis@gmail.com

Article added: Sunday 24 March 2019