Football: Roslyn unable to halt Mosgiel's run

Mosgiel continued its powerful run with a 3-0 win over Roslyn-Wakari at Ellis Park on Saturday.

Coach Andrew Brook has welded a seamless combination of attack and defence that has produced 13 goals in four matches, and his defence has conceded one paltry goal.

It looked business as usual when Morgan Day found space at the far post and clinically volleyed Mosgiel ahead after a 21st-minute corner.

Yet, for a change, the Plainsmen were under some physical pressure from coach Colin Thom's Roslyn side, which had a good first half and might have gone ahead at the break, except for some mediocre finishing in front of the Mosgiel goal.

Referee Francois Cuccurillo took over from Edward Cook, who strained a hamstring, and awarded a penalty to Mosgiel in the 45th minute, after keeper Tom Stevens was whistled for an enthusiastic tackle.

Mosgiel's Eder Franchini drilled a powerful shot goalwards but Stevens atoned with a superb save, and went on to win Roslyn's man of the match award.

However, the second half was dominated by Mosgiel, with Franchini orchestrating play, stroking quality passes wide to both Isaac Snell and Cody Brook, who was Mosgiel's man of the match.

Roslyn missed the services of the suspended Patrick Ebanda and youngster Ben O'Farrell limped off, but even with Blair Bates and Rupert Mark making pacey runs in attack, it was Mosgiel that had the better balanced play.

Leading the line, Regan Coldicott was sharp, hungry and predatory, launching a 55th-minute diving header then striking again three minutes later to seal the match.

The Mosgiel defence was steady and safe, as keeper Zane Green, Tom Cairns, Tom Kindley, Jesse Wright and Hamish Cotter jealously guarded another clean sheet.

At Tahuna Park, University looked likely to over-run Green Island, but Malcolm Fleming's side had not read that script and earned an impressive 4-0 win over Darren Hart's side.

Initially, the students looked the part, with pace to spare on the flanks and early crosses arriving in the Green Island goalmouth, but keeper Josh Dijkstra showed safe hands and had a nearly error-free game.

The Island's first score was classed as an own goal, but Bob Cox claimed the last touch. Ben Kiore made it 2-0, and Jack Kirkwood and Cox capped industrious games with two more goals to seal a result that almost put a smile on coach Fleming's face.

At Tonga Park, Caversham beat a vastly improved Northern side 3-2.

Caversham opened the scoring after six minutes, but Dave Henderson hit a stunning free kick for Northern to equalise. Caversham regained the lead minutes later for a 2-1 lead at the break, stretched that to 3-1, and Northern supporters looked away.

But Northern did not collapse as in previous weeks and Marko Kondov narrowed the gap to 3-2. Keeper Fred Haidekker, Jack Rea, Chris Bell and Greg Thurlow impressed for Northern.

Chatham Cup matches today include the all-FPL clash between Green Island and Mosgiel at Sunnyvale, University playing Pleasant Point at Forrester Park, and Dunedin Technical playing Old Boys at Tahuna Park.

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