The Football South Premier League match at Ellis Park hung on a knife edge as Roslyn-Wakari and Queenstown battled out a six-goal thriller. The home side eventually prevailed 4-2, despite being reduced to 10 men.
''It was as much a win for the team's character, as well as the quality of football played,'' said Roslyn coach Colin Thom.
''To go down to 10 men with half an hour to go, and the score at 2-2, gave Queenstown the edge.
''They are a good attacking team, but we held them out, and still managed to mount effective attacks.''
In the unusual role of centre-back, Harley Rodeka, team captain Tom Connor and Jack Pirie had exceptional games, and early releases from the back gave Roslyn a chance to use the team's pace.
Full of energy, Tennessee Kinghorn stamped the Ellis Park grass flat with quality movement, as did Nathan Wilkie, and some intelligent running by youngster Tim O'Farrell caused Queenstown problems.
And it was the elusive running of player of the day O'Farrell that won the match for Roslyn as he sliced through on to a Kinghorn pass to beat keeper Dan Bocattios for 3-2. Minutes later, the red-haired midfielder was fed by Kasim Ali and Connor before again hitting the Queenstown net.
Queenstown's goals came from FPL top scorer Jan Kumar and Matt Cordell, but coach Jamie Whitmarsh was disappointed that his side did not use its extra man effectively and allowed Roslyn to punish errors in his defence.
At the Caledonian ground, University spurned a golden chance to grab the lead over Green Island when Chris Kessler hoisted a penalty kick skywards, frightening passing seagulls.
Kessler went close to making amends with some clever incisive running through the green defence, but the Island survived and, building on sound, no-nonsense defensive play led by Cory Robinson, turned the tide.
Matt Brazier rose well to head in Green Island's goal after 40 minutes, and in the second spell, Henrique Viana slid passes through for Max Johnston to score. Then the Brazilian himself hit the net to take coach Richard Kerr-Bell's side to top slot in the FPL.
Dunedin Technical and Southland United were locked 0-0 at the break before the Dunedin side went ahead after 47 minutes, only for Southland to draw level seven minutes later for 1-1.
It was Technical's fourth draw in five games, placing coach Tony Martin's side seventh on the table, just above Southland, which also has four points.
At Forrester Park, despite hanging in for a 0-0 score at the break, Northern eventually capitulated to Caversham 3-0. Caversham moved up to second place with goals by Sam Collier (55 minutes), Tore Waechter (63 minutes) and Jarad Groves (68minutes).
