The Wanaka Premier football team lost 3-2 to arch-rival Queenstown Rovers on Saturday (April 17) in round five of the Southern Premiership Football Competition.

The match was played in perfect conditions at the Wanaka Recreation Centre and the home team started brightly when Wanaka striker Steve Pleskun pounced on a misplaced shot from Wanaka midfielder Ethan Arratia to slot the ball past Rovers keeper Dan Boccatis in the sixth minute.

Rovers drew level immediately when a long ball from Bocatis deceived the Wanaka defence and Beveridge from Rovers found time and space to volley over a stranded Aaron Molloy in the Wanaka goal.

Wanaka’s Alex Wright (Black) holds off a Rover’s defender.

Just two minutes later Arratia dribbled into the Rovers penalty area and as he turned he was up-ended and the referee blew for a penalty. Adam Harms stepped up and beat Boccatis to make the score 2-1 with fewer than 15 minutes played.

Wanaka controlled much of the possession for the remainder of the half with little reward as Boccatis handled Wanaka’s shots with ease.

Wanaka continued to attack in the second half with shots from Adam Harms and Angus MacDonald brilliantly saved by the Rovers keeper Boccatis.

Wanaka’s Brandon Dickson chases the ball.

As the half progressed the standard of play deteriorated and Rovers began to control possession. They scored an equaliser from a corner in the 70th minute and then put the match beyond doubt in the 85th minute when a well placed dipping free kick was parried away by Wanaka’s keeper Aaron Molloy - only to fall at the feet of Rovers striker Beverridge who dinked the ball over the keeper for the final goal.

For Wanaka, Dickson and Arratia were the best on a day when too many players weren't up to the standard they can play at and need to be week in and week out in this league.

This Saturday (April 24) Wanaka travels to Dunedin to play Roslyn Wakari at Ellis Park.

In the Central Otago League the WAFC Premier Reserves faced the Queenstown Falcons. Unfortunately a much better performance couldn’t stop the Falcons winning 3-2. Leo Stout had another MVP game for the Reserves, backing up from last week.

Over in Cromwell the Wanaka third team went down 12-1.

Round scores:

Competition table:

PHOTOS: WAFC