Dunedin Technical maintained its composure and held off a spirited Green Island side with a 4-1 win on Saturday, to maintain its position at the top of the FootballSouth Premier League.
Just four points cover the top five teams in the league.
Technical welcomed back one of its chosen ones, midfield general Andy Coburn, who is in Dunedin on holiday.
He looked comfortable back in the maroon strip and showed glimpses of his ball-winning ability and quality passing.
Midfielder Tim McLennan opened the scoring in the 20th minute, when he finished off a close-range shot after Technical exerted pressure on the Green Island goal.
The first half was a relatively even affair. Green Island had chances but was kept scoreless through some good defensive work.
Technical striker Alistair Rickerby looked dangerous throughout the match and kept his prolific scoring record intact when he struck twice in the second half.
McLennan was the provider in the 49th minute when he worked his magic down the left-hand flank, attacking the byline and delivering an accurate pass for Rickerby to finish.
Just nine minutes later, Rickerby found himself free on the left-hand side of the penalty area and bagged his second with a good shot past Island keeper Josh Dijkstra.
Richard Smith showed superb technique in the 67th minute,to chest down a right-wing cross and smash home Technical's final goal from 10m.
Green Island continued its constructive patterned play throughout the half and was rewarded with a consolation goal in the 85th minute, when Daniel Morris finished strongly from 15m.
Caversham was too clinical for Mosgiel at Tonga Park and had effectively banked three points by halftime. It led 5-0 at the break before bagging another goal in the second half to seal a 6-0 win.
Ant Hancock opened the scoring for Caversham with a far-post header. Arguably the goal of the game belonged to Tim Cook, who showed excellent technique to control a long corner with one quality touch and pick out the top right-hand corner for Caversham's second.
Hancock and Cook each scored again and Bradley Scott and Tom Jackson chipped in as Caversham sounded an ominous warning.
Roslyn-Wakari climbed into second spot with a 3-1 win over Old Boys in Invercargill.
An Ajay Cunningham free-kick special opened the scoring before Old Boys equalised with a penalty. Chris Fernando and Fraser Cameron completed the scoring for Roslyn-Wakari.
In the Caledonian doubleheader, Northern beat Queenstown 2-0, and University thumped Grants Braes 7-0.
By Wilson James.
