Counter-punching attack highlighted the national women's youth league match on Saturday as Mainland eventually beat Footballsouth 4-2 at Logan Park.
Mainland took a 41st minute lead, Footballsouth equalised one minute later, Mary Fraser blasted Footballsouth into a 2-1 lead, and one minute later Mainland equalised.
This was rapier football at its best, and Footballsouth's first-half performance was the best this writer has seen from women in Otago.
Nick Rzepecky's team played superlative, controlled football that earned massive ball possession. Building from the back, using width on both wings, and the crosses delivered were worth three goals at least - even Mainland coach Mike de Bono admitted his side was under the cosh.
From the kick-off, good interpassing found Una Madden, who shielded the ball, then deftly rolled a perfect pass to Georgie Brown, who laced a low hard drive that required visiting keeper Lily Alfeldf to make a diving save.
The local side continued to dominate, as it hit the crossbar and side netting, had another shot leaded off the opposition line, and saw a diving header by Fraser flash across goal and skiff the far post.
There was as much quality at the back, where Shontelle Smith showed composure beyond her years, with cool feints and slide-rule passes.
Footballsouth captain Chelsea Martin drove her team on, Madden won most aerial balls and passed with elan, while Amber Mulhall tackled like a tank and pushed forward to good effect.
Referee Dean Seager awarded a 40th minute penalty that sparked some debate on the touchlines, and although Tess Nicol saved the spot kick, Maia Vink tidied in the rebound, and against the run of play, Mainland was 1-0 ahead.
Footballsouth hit back immediately when Martin finished off a quality build-up, and after 61min Fraser hammered her side ahead with a blazing penalty kick.
A flurry of substitutions by both sides changed team shapes, and it was Mainland which benefited as tall midfielder Belinda Van Noorden made dangerous runs up the middle, and Aimee Phillips equalised.
As Footballsouth looked tired, the opposition went ahead through Mikaya Wiebutz, and Mainland clinched the result when Phillips scored her second goal.
Mainland coach De Bono recognised Footballsouth's splendid first half, but praised his side's gritty resistance, which improved as the match went on.
Footballsouth coach Rzepecky was unhappy with the eventual result, but saw the first half scintillating play as something to build on.
"We did not get the goals we deserved when we were playing well, and [Mainland] took their chances as they improved," he said.
THE SCORES:-
• Mainland 4
Aimee Phillips 2, Maia Vink, Mikaya Wiebutz
• Footballsouth 2
Chelsea Martin, Mary Fraser
• Halftime: 1-1
