The Wanaka Premier Football (WAFC) side avenged a round robin 5-1 loss with a 1-0 victory over Otago University in Wanaka last Saturday (5 September).

Playing in the top four of the Southern Premier League, where Wanaka is ranked fourth, the home side was expected to struggle against University which still had a mathematical chance of catching league leaders Green Island should University win its four remaining games and Green Island drop points.

WAFC has been growing in confidence as the season has gone on and was looking for an upset after a solid 5-3 loss to the unbeaten Green Island last weekend.

There were few clear cut goal scoring chances for either team in the first half as University struggled to break down the compact Wanaka defence. 

The second half played out similarly as University again had the lion's share of the ball but Wanaka started to create more attacking opportunities with Levi Fletcher and promising youngster Xion Lippe in wide areas, and the ever present Adam Hewson attacking from deep.

Midfielders Barry Grehan, Michael Gealogo and young Ethan Arratia all linked up well with striker Everton Rossi who was proving troublesome for the University defence.

University was denied a goal in the sixty fifth minute after a University player was ruled offside with the ball in the back of the net.

The key moment came when Wanaka’s Levi Fletcher created Wanaka’s first goal opportunity as he twisted and turned in University’s box only to be brought down, resulting in a penalty to Wanaka.

Barry Grehan converted to give Wanaka the lead with just 12 mins to play.

University nearly levelled the scores shortly afterwards when a rasping drive struck Wanaka’s cross bar, and there were a couple of goalmouth scrambles where Wanaka defended well as it battled for the win.

For Wanaka coach Ian Bell it was a pleasing result and a chance to create more momentum for the remaining three games.

Man of the match went to Barry Grehan but, as has proven to be the case recently, Van Hees, Hewson, Gealogo and Hodgson also were instrumental in Wanaka’s ability to match teams at this level.

Wanaka hosts Mosgiel next weekend which will be licking its wounds after losing 4-0 to Green Island which has officially won the league with three competition rounds remaining.

PHOTO: WAFC