Football: Athletic win forgettable game

Athletic's standout player Josh Parker (left) is hunted down by Havlock North's Henare Green during Saturday's Lotto Federation League Cup clash at Wembly Park. PHOTO/STUART MUNRO

With the weather causing havoc with local football prompting City's Western Premiership match in Palmerston North to be cancelled, it was down to Devon Home Wanganui Athletic to put on a show at Wembley Park against Havelock North on Saturday in the Lotto Federation League Cup.

With both teams finding the net a combined eight times in the 90 minutes, for those around the sidelines, and even those in red, it would probably be more of a match to forget than the goal-scoring spectacle the scoreline suggested. The match ended in a 5-3 win for Athletic.

Wembley's main pitch had held up well under the torrent of rain and cold weather in the days before, but the pitch was still quite heavy underfoot, which always meant the game was going to be played at a slower pace. The Reds wanted to start the match well, but taking an honest assessment of their performances to date, it was probably 30 minutes of the worst football Athletic have played all year, while Havelock seemed to be the side that were hungrier, yet still not cohesive in their attack. But such is football, that even a poor start can go rewarded, with Athletic finding the back of the net three times during that 30-minute period.

Josh Smith opening the scoring as a lucky ball fell to his feet for him to tap into the goal, followed by a messy goalmouth scramble that saw Troy Smith claim the scoring honours over Anthony Bell. Josh Parker, who was the clear standout player in the Athletic side on Saturday, netted the first of two goals, after powering a shot low at the keeper, who couldn't hold the ball, and saw it slip through his hand and legs, into the back of the net.

Havelock were not done though, and capitalised on some poor defending at a corner, to pull the scoreline back to 3-1 before Athletic's keeper Nick Hayward was on the receiving end of a late challenge after securing the ball from a promising Havelock attack just five minutes from the half, which saw him leave the game unable to continue on. Those who follow Athletic were surprised that reserve goalkeeper Peter Czerwonka was overlooked to take over the custodian role, in favour of outfield player Kelvin Hove.

After the resumption of play, 45 minutes of the messiest football at Wembley ensued. Athletic seemed to be under pressure for large portions of the half, while capitalising on the break, but were mostly unable to make the most of their opportunities.

But it was Parker's second goal that lifted the crowd at Wembley, with a spectacular finish. Parker made a beautiful run on the back post, and latched on to a cross from Anthony Bell, who had broken free down the left hand wing and had acres of space to work with. Parker finished the ball on the volley, and bagged himself a brace for his efforts during the match.

It wasn't long after that, though, that Havelock get themselves back into the match once again, after some messy defending found a Havelock striker in on goal, one-on-one with stand-in keeper Hove, and easily slotting it beyond his outstretched left hand.

Havelock pulled the match closer after being gifted an opportunity on goal, after the Reds' left back made a decision to go back to his keeper, misjudging the direction required, putting a Havelock striker in position to again force Hove to fetch the ball from the back of his net. But it was Anthony Bell who had the final say in the match, getting himself in behind the Havelock defence, and coolly put that away, and put the match beyond reach.

While the game may not have been the prettiest, the 5-3 scoreline at the final whistle still gives Athletic another three competition points, and sits them second on the table in Pool A, with only a one-goal difference between themselves and Havelock with a game still in hand.