4 days ago
Royals beaten as Spirit go top
The Dunedin City Royals suffered a 4-0 loss to the high-flying Coastal Spirit in the South Island League at Tahuna Park on Saturday.
Despite having players missing through suspension and injury, the Royals matched Coastal in the early stages with Will Turner, Brady Jacobs and Jack Julian keeping the Spirit defence on their toes.
Julian got in a strong shot that stung the palms of the keeper in the 16th minute. Moments later, a well-worked corner routine caught the Spirit napping.
But with the goal at their mercy, the Royals' shot was straight at the keeper.
The home side were made to pay for their missed opportunities when Joe Hoole slid a shot past the outstretched arms of keeper Jonathan Tucker.
The Royals had an opportunity to equalise when Turner's pace left the defence trailing.
But Caleb Osborne opted to cut inside rather than shoot first-time and the opportunity was lost.
The Spirit doubled their lead just before halftime when a low inswinging corner bounced in the box and was knocked home from close range by Kaleb De Groot-Green.
Two further goals in the second half from Riku Ichimura and Roque Fuentes Salinas saw Spirit clear out and go top of the standings.
The Royals were denied a consolation goal when Connor Neil missed a late penalty.
In the women's South Island League Roslyn Wakari copped a heavy 9-0 loss to Cashmere Technical at Logan Park yesterday.
Meanwhile the Dunedin City Royals stayed perfect with a 1-0 win over Coastal Spirit in Christchurch.
— Northern continued their unbeaten run in the Southern Premiership with a 7–0 win over Green Island at the Caledonian.
Green Island was competitive early. But once Sam Cosgrove opened the scoring from the penalty spot, the floodgates opened.
Nick Treadwell knocked in a couple more to establish a 3-0 lead at halftime.
In the second half, Nicholas Brett banged in two, Matt Fraser got on the score sheet and Treadwell claimed his hat-trick in the 87th minute goal.
Northern are now 12 points clear at the top of the standings with five games remaining.
Mosgiel moved into second place with a 3-0 win against University at Logan Park.
Harvey Stephens smashed home a penalty in the opening minute. Luke Clissold doubled the lead and Reece Burtenshaw made sure of the win with a late header from close range.
Queens Park and Roslyn drew 3-3 in Invercargill. Roslyn was always chasing the game and grabbed a share of the points when Hamish Mairs scored the equalizer in the 74th minute.
He received the ball on the edge of the box with four defenders around him. But he turned his low shot deceived keeper Mitchell Fowler.
Northern Hearts overcame Old Boys 6-3 in Timaru 6-3 in the clash of the cellar dwellers.
In the Women's Southern Premiership, the Royals beat Green Island 4-2, University beat Queens Park 3-0 and Roslyn Wakari dispatched Northern 4-0.
University (29 points) lead the standings by two points from Green Island (27) and the Royals (27).
— Neville Watson
