Spirit 2, Mosgiel 2; April 18th

Controversy surrounding whether-or-not the ball had crossed the goal line took the edge off Spirit FC’s first goal in its 2-all draw with Mosgiel in their Footballsouth premier league clash at Rugby Park Invercargill on Saturday afternoon.

However its second goal came straight out of the Cristiano Ronaldo goal-scoring manual as Brendon Lloyd struck with a stunning 35 metre effort that bulged the net well wide of the Mosgiel keeper and secured Spirit a share of the points.

As a spectacle and for entertainment value the game was one of the best seen at the park for some time.

Spirit POD Wade Griffin...showed that Gore-boys can make it to the big time...

Both teams, although determined to preserve their winning form,  showed a willingness to play open attacking football.

Mosgiel veteran Phil Kelly came to town with a well earned and deserved reputation as a prolific striker and his duel with Spirit’s Scottish import Craig Milne was a feature of the game.

Showing why he is so lethal Kelly took the honours by virtue of his opening goal and his assist with Mosgiel’s second on perhaps the only two occasions all day that he escaped the shackles of Milne’s outstanding defensive play.

Great battle all afternoon this one....

Prior to Kelly’s tap-in goal that gave Mosgiel a 1-nil lead at the 20 minute mark Spirit’s Barry Gardiner had rattled the crossbar with a long range effort that deserved a better fate.

Badger tries from a free kick...had to be good though and this one wasn't...

The game ebbed and flowed through until half time with periods of quality football culminating in a fine effort from Mosgiel’s Shayne Danielson that rebounded to safety from the Spirit upright.

Fifteen minutes into the second spell Spirit’s Carl Henderson’s effort on goal appeared to be cleared to safety but referee Alex Wilson who was on the spot deemed the ball to have crossed the goal line and awarded Henderson his third goal in as many games.

Spirit's Carl (left) and Tom Bekkers a study in concentration....

Despite the calming influence of its player coach Mike McGarry several Mosgiel players were incensed by the decision and added a new dimension to the game with their resolve to regain the lead.

Mike McGarry still turns in a good game of footy....

That they did eight minutes later when Kelly took the ball to the by-line and sent an accurate pass to the awaiting Regan Coldicott who swept it into the Spirit net.

Spirit was equal to the occasion though regaining its composure and playing some of its best football of the season led by a player-of-the-day performance from Wade Griffin down the left flank.

Spirit was duly rewarded and no one could begrudge them their share of the spoils when Lloyd struck his goal 12 minutes later to level the game at 2-apiece.

Mosgiel’s attempt to regain the lead was swift and when Tom Bekkers rose above the Spirit defence for a free header on goal that skimmed the top of the crossbar the locals in the crowd gasped a sigh of relief.

The only drama that remained was the sending off of Mosgiel’s Brad Johnston for excessive retaliation to a Gardiner tackle on him late in the game.

Someone's attempt at a bit of "black" humour....treat it as fame Wayne....

Southland Football opened its season with a full round of games that featured the clash of last season’s top two teams McLellan Motors Queens Park and AMP South Old Boys.
In what could be an indication of another closely fought campaign the game ended in a stalemate 2-2 draw.

Tansley Electrical Waihopai took out the other premier game 3-1 over Southend United.

Winton’s Sam Sewpersad and Southend United’s Hilary Larson each netted three goals

in the opening round games of the Premier women’s competition.

Winton staved off the first challenge for the Ottley trophy with its 6-nil win against

newcomers Queens Park.

Old Boys edged out Thistle 3-2 in the other game played.

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