Otago University’s cracking start to the Southern League came to a screeching halt yesterday.
The students, seeking a third straight win, were beaten 4-0 by Cashmere Technical at Logan Park.
Cashmere made a sizzling start with a goal in the second minute from former Southern United striker Garbhan Coughlan.
University soon settled, and it took a fantastic one-handed save from keeper Danny Knight to deny Ben Deeley an equaliser.
Coughlan’s talent shone through again in the 20th minute when he received a cross from the left and his exquisite dipping volley with the outside of his foot gave University keeper Neil Achary no chance.
University thought it had pulled one back but a goal was disallowed for a shove on Knight.
Deeley and Oban Hawkins were causing the Christchurch team’s defence problems, and on halftime a long-range drive by Tim O’Farrell was tipped over the crossbar by Knight. From the corner, En Watanabe’s goal-bound effort was cleared off the line.
In the second half, Cashmere made it 3-0 when centre back Tom Schwarz’s long-range shot took a wicked deflection, and Coughlan got his hat-trick with a thumping drive on 76min.
The South City Royals joined Cashmere, University and Coastal Spirit at the top of the table with six points following a 3-2 win over Nelson Suburbs at the Dunedin turf.
Ryan Fleming opened the scoring following a squared ball from Olivier Cassidy, and after Nelson had equalised, Raven August restored the lead immediately with a driven shot into the bottom corner.
The Royals made it 3-1 in the second half when Ollie Petersen pounced on a poor clearance on the edge of the box and had the simple task of rolling it into the net. Nelson pulled one back to give the Royals a few nervy moments but they held on for a deserved three points.
- Northern continued its recent run of form with a 3-2 win over Queenstown at Forrester Park to remain on top of the championship with two games to play.
Aljulanda Al-Mawali scored a hat-trick for Northern. He dribbled past defenders to lash in his first after 19 minutes; rifled in his second seven minutes later; and poked home the third, the winning goal, after 65min.
Queenstown had led after 10 minutes when Jack Niven reacted quickest to score on the rebound after the initial shot was well saved by Zane Green.
Macleod Dyason scored Queenstown’s second, just a minute after entering the game.
If Northern can beat Mosgiel this weekend, it will claim the championship title and have a chance in the Southern League playoff.
Mosgiel stayed in the mix with a 3-1 win over Roslyn-Wakari, led by Matt Kelly’s early brace.
- Neville Watson
