Fitting final flurry by Collier

Ferrymead player Hikolai Molijn braces himself for the challenge from Caversham’s Sam Cosgrave during the South Island football final at the Caledonian Ground on Saturday. Photo: Peter McIntosh.

Sam Collier scored two goals in what could be his last game for Caversham as he helped the team defend its South Island football title.

It beat Ferrymead Bays 2-1 at the Caledonian Ground in Dunedin on Saturday, coming back from 1-0 down at halftime.

Collier, who is moving to Wellington for work, struck just after halftime to tie the scores, before putting away a penalty to take a late lead.

His first goal came in the 50th minute, a well-taken free kick with which he put the ball in the top left corner of the net.

Caversham did not ease off and, after Collier was taken down in the box in the 77th minute, he buried a penalty in the bottom left corner.

At that point Ferrymead Bays leapt into action and Caversham had to withstand a late flurry to cling on for the win.

As impressive as the result was, it could have been so much better.

Caversham dominated the first 40 minutes in a complete team performance. It applied defensive pressure and kept Ferrymead Bays pinned in its own half. It had numerous chances but, while a goal seemed inevitable, it was unable to find the net.

When Mark Peers gave Ferrymead Bays the lead in the 42nd minute, there was a sense of disbelief.

The goal came completely against the run of play, as Peers capitalised on a mistake when Caversham fail to clear the ball. That put the home side behind, going into halftime. However, it fought back and that pleased coach Malcolm Fleming.

"[I am] pretty happy with the way we played," he said.

"We played well in the first 30-35 minutes and let them in with a goal through poor communication.

"But we fought back and had two good goals for Sam Collier, who’s probably playing his last game for the club.

"So it’s good, it’s great. [I’m] very happy."

The win was Caversham’s second South Island title in a row and completed a successful season, in which it claimed another southern premier league title.

For Fleming, being able to perform on the big stage was meaningful.

"It’s easy to get to the finals, but you’ve got to win them, don’t you?

"So for us, we won the championship by 15 or so points, which is easy and great, but you’ve got to go out there and play against their best guys as well and they’re [Ferrymead Bays] a good side as well.

"They’re the best in Christchurch and we’re the best and we come out as victors. Well, we’ve got to be happy."

It could also be the last time Rhys Henderson, Tim Horner and Craig Ferguson play for the club.

• Northern and Queenstown Rovers fought out a 1-1 draw at Forrester Park on Saturday in a catch-up premier league game.