It was a counter-punching battle in Napier before Otago United eventually fell prey to Hawkes Bay in a thrilling 3-2 loss during yesterday's ASB Premiership football match.
Otago United's Andy Coburn will need a late fitness test to see if he is fit for tomorrow's away game against Hawkes Bay.
A disputed 57th-minute call for an Otago equaliser provided drama at Tahuna Park in Dunedin yesterday where Waikato beat the home side 1-0.
The national football championship has a new name, but the goal is still the same for Otago United - make the playoffs. Football writer Rab Smith previews the season.
Malcolm Barnes was made the first life member of Otago United at the club's annual meeting at the Caledonian this week.
Caversham produced another strong second-half performance to thump the Spirit 5-0 in the Footballsouth Premier League match at the Caledonian Ground on Saturday.
The emphasis switches this week in Footballsouth's Premier League, as close rivals Roslyn-Wakari and Mosgiel battle for third place in the competition.
Centreback Tom Schwarz headed a 90th-minute winner as Caversham beat Dunedin Technical 2-1 in the Footballsouth Premier League match at the Caledonian ground on Saturday.
Dunedin Technical leads Caversham by six points in the Footballsouth Premier League, and today's match at the Caledonian Ground will decide whether that margin grows or diminishes.
Another clinical display of finishing earned Caversham an 8-2 win over Roslyn-Wakari in the Chatham Cup tie at Tonga Park on Saturday.
Recent intimidating form shown by Caversham suggests Roslyn-Wakari will have to lift its game in today's Chatham Cup tie at Tonga Park.
The transfer of young attacking fullback Tristan Prattley to Wellington in midweek was just one of Mike Fridge's problems as he prepared his Dunedin Technical side to play Mosgiel at the Caledonian Ground on Saturday.
The race resumes for Footballsouth Premier League supremacy with both top teams, Caversham and Dunedin Technical, facing difficult matches today.
Initial brave resistance by Mosgiel was brushed aside as Caversham produced champagne football to win 8-0 in the Chatham Cup tie at the Caledonian Ground on Saturday.
It is still neck and neck at the top of the Footballsouth Premier League with Caversham and Dunedin Technical pounding along like juggernauts.
Another Chatham Cup draw live on radio caused palpitations among local club treasurers this week as Roslyn-Wakari was drawn to make an expensive trip to play Nelson on June 19.
Caversham conquered wild weather and Dunedin Technical with a comprehensive 5-1 win in the Chatham Cup tie at Tonga Park yesterday.
Fresh from a week off, Mosgiel enjoyed a goal-fest at Ocean Grove with a 6-3 win over Grants Braes on Saturday.
Today's Footballsouth Premier League matches are undoubtedly important, but they do not have the sudden-death quality of Monday's Chatham Cup ties.
The All Whites have given themselves a massive confidence boost ahead of the World Cup with their 1-0 win against Serbia. Long-serving Otago Daily Times soccer writer Rab Smith analyses their performance.
