Football: Superb free kick gives United win

Tauranga City United skipper Sam O'Regan scored a trademark left-footed free kick in his side's 1-0 win over Southern United. Photo / File

WaiBOP United have lifted themselves off the bottom of the ASB Premiership with a 1-0 win over Southern United at the Caledonian Ground in Dunedin.

A 35th minute free kick thunderbolt from WaiBOP United defender Sam O'Regan decided the outcome as the visitors jumped over Southern United on goal difference with both sides on seven points.

In what was a tight contest, Eder Franchini's early strike on Danyon Drake's goal was as close as the home side came in the first half to getting on the board while Southern United goalkeeper Liam Little had slightly more work to do at the other end, thwarting the visitors twice in the opening 45 minutes.

But he could do nothing about O'Regan's winner - a powerful drive from distance which left the Southern keeper with no chance.

WaiBOP United coach Peter Smith acknowledged Sunday's clash was an important one with both sides occupying the lowest places on the table.

"We really had no option but to win today so to get the three points and control the game as well as we did was very, very pleasing," Smith said.

"We're trying to do things correctly, from how we perform to how we prepare for games, and I think that had a big part to play in today's result.

"We had players out but I thought the young lads who came in did a good job for us. I'm proud of them today and Sam ... what a strike to win a game of football."

Meanwhile, Southern United coach Mike Fridge reflected on an outing from his side that failed to produce enough energy to trouble the visitors.

"We're disappointed with the result," Fridge said. "We never played well in the first half at all.

"The goal was an absolutely fantastic free kick but I'm disappointed in the sloppy way we gave the free kick away that led to the goal.

"We were never in the first half, we seemed a bit sluggish and we didn't close down or press.

"We were a bit better in the second half with maybe half chances if anything, but - at the end of the day, we've got nothing out of it."