The Royals would be disappointed to have missed some clear chances in the first 20 minutes and also found keeper Tom Poole in top form.
However, the Royals domination would eventually tell as Connor Neil opened the scoring in the 22nd minute with a composed finish at the back post.
The goal did not trouble Green Island too much — four minutes later they levelled.
Stefan Milidrag found Trevin Myers, who stepped past one defender and bent a delightful ball into the top corner past keeper Alex Boomer.
The vocal home crowd were on their feet when Javier Langley was fouled in the box. The referee waved play on, though.
The Royals enjoyed the better of the first half, however, it was Green Island who were on top in the second period as they looked to counter quickly but could not find a way past a resolute Royals’ defence.
Green Island nearly secured maximum points following Adam Hewson’s great run on the right wing, when he beat his marker before rounding keeper Boomer only to have his shot go across the face of the goal from an acute angle.
The 1-1 result means Royals still have a chance of finishing in third place with a game in hand and Green Island can finish seventh.
Roslyn continued their push for the ODT Southern Premiership title with a 3-0 win over Green Island at Ellis Park
Roslyn’s Nathan Wilkie broke the deadlock four minutes before the break and made it 2-0 early in the second half.
He completed his hat-trick in the 90th minute when he went round keeper Owen Dabkowski and drove the ball home.
The win means Roslyn has closed the gap on Mosgiel to five points.
The Plainsmen played out an entertaining 0-0 draw on the road at Wanaka, who dominated the first half.
Mosgiel almost clinched a win on fulltime, but Charlie Gruppelaar’s effort went agonisingly wide of the far post.
Queens Park continued their recent strong form by overcoming Queenstown in Invercargill.
Ryo Okuyamas’ 88th-minute penalty alongside Jeison Martinez opening goal just before halftime ensured another three points to move Queens Park into fourth spot on the table.
Northern were held to a 1-1 draw with Dunedin City Royals reserves.
University lost to Northern Hearts 2-3 at Logan Park. Northern Hearts take the Blair Davidson Challenge trophy back to Timaru.
In the Women’s South Island League, the Dunedin City Royals had a comfortable 6-1 victory against Otago University A, Freya Partridge-Moore bagging a hat-trick.
In the Chatham Cup semifinals, Christchurch United beat Eastern Suburbs 2-1 and will play Hamilton’s Melville United in the final, who beat Wellington’s Waterside Karori 3-1.
Neville Watson
