Four goal haul sparks Southland Utd
Four goals by Japanese import Hayato Wakino helped Southland United secure a 6-2 victory over Northern in Dunedin on Saturday.
Southland relied on individual brilliance rather than a vintage team performance to get them a valuable three Southern Premier League competition points away from home against the competition’s cellar dwellers.
‘‘I don’t think we played the greatest game, I think we have a better squad individually, which made the difference,’’ Southland United coach Luis Paiva said.
Southland were up 3-0 in the second half, when one of Northern’s players was sent off, yet ironically this briefly galvanised the home team who scored two quick goals to bring Northern back into the match, before the door was nailed shut with three late Southland goals.
Youngster Xavier Meurier and Atain Halley also scored goals for Southland United. The win lifts Southland to fifth spot.
Southland’s focus now switches to their Friday night re-scheduled match against Otago University, with coach Paiva’s team targeting back-to-back wins to keep them in touch with the leading teams.
Meanwhile, there were also plenty of goals in Donald Gray Cup action as Gore Wanderers produced an emphatic 10-0 win over Waihopai to move to the top-of-the- table on 16 points, one ahead of rivals Old Boys.
Andy Roberts scored four goals, while Miguel Ortiz and Roy Gibson bagged doubles in the rout at Hyde Park.
Queens Park had too much pace up front for Winton at Surrey Park.
Quick forwards Anton Fitzgerald and Calem Castle caused problems for the Winton defence in the 9-1 drubbing at Surrey Park.
The scores were locked at 1-1 midway through the first half, before Park who were missing some of their usual starters piled on the goals.
Matthew Burgess and Fitzgerald bagged hat-tricks, while Castle, Carl Henderson and Dion Cameron also scored for Park. Jarhn McDonald netted a first half goal for Winton.
In the other game, Thistle earned a hard fought win over third placed Southend United 4-1.
Shannon Colyer scored twice for Thistle, while Dylan Meehan and Scott Henderson also got on the scoresheet. Kyle Schins scored for Southend United.