Wanaka hosted title favourites Roslyn Wakari at Wanaka Recreation Centre last Saturday.

Danillo Santana and John Skilton came in to the starting 11 to replace the injured pair of Fletcher Cavanagh and Blair Scoullar.

Both teams competing well in the first half with little reward until Roslyn scored in the 30th minute against the run of play. The goal gave a boost to Roslyn’s play; Wanaka did well to manage after a spell of pressure. The Premiers were close to scoring late in the half, when Allan Carmichael’s shot from 22 yards rattled the right hand post after a fine lay off from young Harry Grimsdale.

At halftime, the result was 1-0 in Roslyn’s favour.

The second half had Wanaka slightly edging the even contest and they were rewarded with an equaliser in the 75th minute. Fine build up play led to Carmichael again shooting from 25 yards out and Roslyn’s keeper, Tom Stevens, could only parry the shot. Steve Pleskun showed a true strikers instinct to fire home the loose ball from eight yards out to draw Wanaka level.

Wanaka had two great opportunities to grab the full three points. Pleskun burst down the right flank and delivered a perfect cross for an unmarked Valintine Nova Ruis who headed wide. And with time nearly up, Toa Roode showed composure with a good touch to open up a shooting chance, but his shot was straight at Stevens. 

Wanaka were pleased with a much improved performance from their previous game. Standouts on the day were Thomas Van Hees, Michael Gealogo, Danillo Santana and man of the match Paul Hodgson.

Wanaka will travel over the Crown Range on Saturday to take on current league leaders, Queenstown Rovers, in what is shaping up to be a typical local derby.