Universities took out the Southern League Promotion Play-off Series against Roslyn Wakari 6 - 5 on penalties after the 2nd Leg finished scoreless after extra time, with the aggregate scores locked at 2 - 2. 

The 2nd Leg turned into a three-hour contest, and after the first leg finished 2 - 2 in Dunedin, both sides created plenty of scoring chances in the return leg at English Park with what was a tight affair. The first chance in the opening half came just before the break when a shot from Charlie Peacocke hit the crossbar.  

Roslyn dominated the opening period of second half but could not break the deadlock. Universities came back later in the half with both sides shots going directly at the keeper. Into the first period of extra time, which was a somewhat stop / start affair due to a number of injuries, saw nine minutes of added time played. Roslyn went a player down when Josh Lucas received two yellow cards in quick succession.   

Universities could not make the most of having an 'extra player' in the second period of extra time with Roslyn keeper, Tom Stevens, untroubled to save several half chances before the extra time ended. 

The penalty shoot-out had plenty of drama with Roslyn first up to go ahead with Stevens then saving Universities first attempt. It was all square when Universities keeper, Matt Aitchison saved Roslyn third attempt and the students slotted their third. After the first five penalties it was locked up at 4 - 4. Into sudden death and was 5 - 5, with Aitchison then saving, before he then stepped up to take a penalty, only for Stevens to save easily. Roslyn's eighth attempt was hit wide. Stevens went the right way but could not get a hand on the Hamish Kampman penalty to see Universities home 6 - 5 and Southern League status in 2024. 

Article added: Tuesday 03 October 2023