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Old Boys 2, Queens Park 0; June 28th

Old Boys grabbed the initiative in the struggle for Southland Football’s Southland Finance senior men’s title and with it the Larry O'Rorke challenge trophy with a hard fought but deserved 2-nil win over Queens Park at Invercargill’s O’Rorke Park on Saturday.

 The heavy rain didn't stop the action as Old Boys Phil Grubb deflects this Park cross to safety.

The game was played in true competitive spirit but was spoiled as a spectacle when during the second forty five minute period a tirade of abuse from both on and off the field was often directed at referee Wayne Rayner as he worked hard to remove some over-vigorous play that began to creep in as Park’s frustrations mounted.

During one feisty period Park lost the services of defender Matty Burgess when he received his second yellow and the mandatory red card that goes with it.

Park’s Stuart Kent was next to go when after being subbed off he too was red-carded for a remark directed at Rayner.

As he (Kent) was in fact leaving the field at the time his behaviour will be the subject of a referees report to Southland Football.

 Sheer determination here by the young man as Park's Mark Pearson bursts through Old Boys
Frank O'Boyle (left) and Glen McMurdo.

Old Boy’s win was built around the strength of its defensive quartet of Scott Mackenzie, Gordy Lamont, Lindsay Newsome and Johnny Chapman.

Mackenzie played in a sweeper role behind the latter trio and this proved to be the catalyst for denying Park’s strikers opportunities to get on the score sheet.

The first goal came thirteen minutes into the game and was a fine solo effort from Old Boys regular Spirit FC player Hamish Low.

Low was set free down the left flank and after shrugging off his marker opted to try his luck from an acute angle rather than cut the ball back to his oncoming team mates.

The decision worked as Low’s shot rocketed behind Park’s keeper Mark Bugden and into the net.

Park regrouped following the set-back and continued to come forward with mid fielder Scott Morton linking well with Jason Gold on several occasions but the threats were negated each time by Old Boys steady-as-you-go defensive approach.

 Old Boys Scott Mackenzie attempts a set-piece shot over Park's wall.
While Scotty M (left) proves that if you squeeze real tight in the right place your tongue pops out.
Try it....it works :-(

On the stroke of half time Glen McMurdo supplied what was to be the killer blow to Park when he doubled the Old Boys lead to 2-nil scrambling the ball into the Park net in a goalmouth melee from close range.

The second half was more of the same but Park’s defence held fast and denied Old Boys any addition to its tally.

 Park's Danny Rosel (middle yellow) heads to safety from another Old Boys attack.

At Surrey Park Tansley Electrical Waihopai claimed its first win of the season and did it in style with a 5-1 thumping of Appleby Tavern Southend United.

Led by strong performances from veterans Chris Jones and Mark Buchanan Waihopai dominated the game from the outset with Jones grabbing two goals Buchanan one and Carl Henderson and Matty McDowell completing its scoring.

 Ian Watson netted Southend’s consolation goal.

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