Rab Smith

Otago United had a roller coaster ride before eventually going down 3-2 to Young Heart Manawatu in the New Zealand Football Championship match at Sunnyvale yesterday.

Otago United faces a stern test against Manawatu, which sits top equal in the New Zealand Football Championship, at Sunnyvale tomorrow.

Otago turned on a Jekyll and Hyde performance to beat Canterbury United 2-1 in the New Zealand Football Championship match at Sunnyvale yesterday.

The traditional derby between Otago and Canterbury could not be more finely balanced as both teams front up in a New Zealand Football Championship match at Sunnyvale tomorrow.

It may be early to say so with conviction, but Otago United's attacking formation should produce more goals this season.

Otago United will face its share of adversity in this year's New Zealand Football Championship, and it started with black clouds, gales and sleet in the team's final training session on Thursday.

German players Martin and Robert Genschur have made an impact in pre-season training with Otago United as the club prepares for its first New Zealand Football Championship game, against Auckland City on Sunday.

Otago United centreback John Chisholm has decided to continue in blue and gold this season.

There were lean pickings for Otago United in the last New Zealand Football Championship, but a squad with fresh blood should be better equipped this season. Football writer Rab Smith reports.

Trent Dickie is a smart young footballer.

Caversham kept the best until last as it swept Roslyn-Wakari aside to win the South Island Football Championship at Carisbrook on Saturday.

This afternoon's clash at Carisbrook between Caversham and Roslyn-Wakari will do more than decide the South Island Football Championship.

Sean Brand was named the Soccersouth sportsman of the year last night at the awards evening at the The Savoy restaurant.

Nothing pleases an Otago crowd more than beating Canterbury, and as Caversham knocked Christchurch Nomads out of the South Island Football Championship 3-1, Roslyn-Wakari also ousted Mainland champion Nelson 2-0 at Saxton Park on Saturday.

An own goal cost Dunedin Technical dearly as East Coast Bays won the Chatham Cup final 1-0 at North Harbour Stadium in Auckland on Saturday.