After losing 2-0 to Nomads United away back in April, the Royals triumphed 2-1 in brisk conditions at Logan Park turf yesterday.
It was a solid Southern League win for the home side, which puts them in seventh — and one point behind Nomads — and capped off a big day, with defender Jed Collings celebrating his 100th game at only 19.
It was a relatively even first half, with both teams attack lines testing their opposition’s defence.
The Royals created pressure up front, and had chance after chance, but just could not connect with the back of the net.
Nomads were much the same.
They had a couple of chances, including when Cooper Goldsmith sent a ball screaming into the box but Flynn Holdem’s header just went awry.
Royals player En Watanabe had his attempt saved bang on halftime, and the teams headed into the sheds level at 0-0.
It was the Royals who made the first breakthrough in the second half. The home side waited for the moment the Nomads’ defence found themselves all out of place, whereupon Raven August slipped through and slid the ball into the bottom right of the net.
There were big celebrations — but almost immediately, Nomads hit back.
They drew the Royals’ keeper out from his post, and Holdem glided around, brought the ball centre and finished it off.
It felt as though the game might remain a 1-1 deadlock from then on as both teams tried to find another.
When Will Turner was injected into the game, he had an almost immediate impact or the Royals — and helped them get ahead.
Oban Hawkins sped down the left flank, putting a lovely ball into the box that Turner finished off in similar fashion to the Royals’ opening goal.
It was a well deserved win for the Royals, who forced Nomads away from their structure and capitalised when it mattered most.
In the other games, Ferrymead Bays, sitting in fifth, upset Christchurch United 3-2 to push them out of the top two.
Coastal Spirit now sit second after their 2-2 draw with Nelson Suburbs, and Cashmere Technical retain top spot after they thumped FC Twenty11 10-1.
University of Canterbury also had a solid 3-0 win against Selwyn United.
Southern League
The scores
Dunedin City Royals 2
Raven August, Will Tucker
Nomads United 1
Flynn Holdem
Halftime: 0-0
