The Wanaka AFC premier football team has lost its opening match in the Southern Football Championship, going down 3-2 to arch rivals Queenstown.

Playing in good conditions at the Queenstown Event Centre on Saturday (July 25) it was Queenstown who opened the scoring midway through the first half after a length of the field break out from a Wanaka corner.

Neither side had gained ascendancy early, but the goal settled Queenstown and they continued to mount pressure, forcing some fine saves by Wanaka goalkeeper Josh Shackleton.

Late in the half Queenstown pounced on a wayward Wanaka pass and slotted the ball past Josh to make it 2-0 at the halftime break. 

Wanaka looked like a different side early in the second half, dominating possession and field position. They were rewarded in the 60th minute when some fine link play found Paul Hodgson, who cut the ball back for Alex Wright to calmly score Wanaka’s first goal.

Wanaka drew level in the 75th minute when Toa Roode was fouled. Thomas Tinka’s wonderful free kick found Allan Carmichael, who blasted a shot into the back of the Queenstown goal.

The match opened up as both sides looked to break the 2-2 deadlock. 

As full time approached a Queenstown through ball found a player in space to score the winning goal, under protestations of offside by the Wanaka defence.

Wanaka’s man-of-the-match was Barry Grehan, who returned to the side after an injury layoff.

In the other championship match Northern AFC surprised championship favourites Roslyn Wakari with a 1-0 win.

This Saturday Wanaka will host Northern AFC at the Wanaka Recreation Centre, kick off 2:45pm.