A Ryan Atherton hat trick gave Green Island the edge in its battling 3-2 win over Mosgiel in the Soccersouth Premier League match on Saturday.
Atherton's athletic pace and clinical finishing was always going to be a threat at Memorial Park, but even Green Island supporters were surprised when their young striker hurtled through Mosgiel's ranks to score after only 5min.
Mosgiel climbed back into the match, and played controlled football to mount attacks that pressured the Island with corners and free kicks.
But Euan Kyle showed inspired form and strong blocking and tackling by Simon Chan, Liam Dungey and Cam McPhail kept Mosgiel at bay.
Phil Kelly was a bag of tricks, and created space to lace a couple of strong shots, but it was an acrobatic header by Mosgiel's prolific striker that levelled the score after 38min.
Nick Cape bent in a left-wing cross that looked to be going behind Kelly, but the veteran twisted in mid air and managed to make enough contact to power the ball past Callum Flaws in goal.
In the second half, Mosgiel again showed good form, stringing passes together with Alistair Rickerby making strong runs that paid off with a well-taken goal.
The goal should have settled Mosgiel, but Atherton had other ideas, and his pace and cool finishing evened the score at 2-2.
Green Island should have gone further ahead as James McFelin delivered crosses from the left, Rowan Hewson ran the angles and, in midfield, Craig Wilkinson and Dan Rutter pushed passes forward.
In response, Mosgiel hit some early passes that set Rickerby away on pacy runs and, apart from slamming a shot against Green Island's goalpost, the striker had a couple of golden opportunities to pass to Shayne Danielson in front of goal, but opted for shots which went wide.
It was then Atherton again who darted through to hit the winner.
Island coach Kevin Scoullar said: "Sure we had a bit of luck for a change.
I don't mind, its been a long time coming."
Mosgiel coach Michael McGarry was pleased with Mosgiel's general play "but we need more composure in front of goal.
We should have scored at least another couple," he said.
At Tahuna Park, Dunedin Technical almost wore holes in the net, beating Queenstown Rovers 9-1.
The team sheet could have been used as a score sheet since nearly everyone scored, and Ross Mackenzie and Blair Scoullar bagged two apiece.
At Ellis Park, Roslyn-Wakari racked up a 5-1 win over the Otago Youth team, but not before the youngsters made it interesting when Ajay Cunningham scored to make it 2-1 from a James Watson cross.
With Mike Eisenhut showing vintage form, Ben Keat opened the scoring, John O'Driscoll made it 2-0, and sustained pressure in the second half had Liam Dunbar, Sean Brand and Ant Hancock hitting the net.
At the Gardens, Northern won the battle of the basement in beating University 2-1 with goals from Phil Dawson and Jason Anson, while University doubled its goal tally for the season when Karem Osman scored.
In Invercargill, Grants Braes' goals by Ben Eder and Chris Owens were not enough as Kenny Cresswell's Spirit side won 3-2.
Phil Kelly
