Soccer PHOTO/FILE
Somebody let my wife know I was right.
As I predicted on Saturday, Devon Homes Wanganui Athletic travelled to New Plymouths Pukekura Park and showed they were contenders for the title by beating table toppers Team Taranaki by a single goal on Sunday.
In what was an incredible day for football, the pitch was perfect and the scene was set for a big match.
Athletic travelled up being five competition points behind Taranaki, but with a game in hand, victory putting them within three points of the league leaders.
From the whistle, both teams went at each other with the intensity that is expected from a top of the table clash, each playing their usual expansive attacking style, taking the game from one end to the other.
Referee Ian Robinson showed a level head during the intense match and officiated evenly and well, showing he was keen to let the match flow rather than stopping play on a whim.
He clearly understood the fiery nature of the fixture, which was to be expected when two teams struggle to gain ascendancy over each other.
Taranaki were unlucky to experience a setback on attack when their leading goal scorer, Vinnie Sharp, showed an unfortunate lack of match preparation and pulled up lame with a hamstring injury with just 20 minutes to go.
Athletic centre-back and English import Liam Robinson contributed heavily in defence with Athletic stalwart Steve Burnley at left back, foiling the attacking impetus of Taranaki, and assisting goalie Nick Hayward in keeping another clean sheet.
But it was Haywards safe hands and athleticism that ultimately kept the home side out of the match, as he put on an incredible individual display of goalkeeping to stop any of Taranakis on-target shots from rippling the net behind him.
The match looked like it was going to finish locked at nil-all until Josh Smith showed his class, deftly finishing with his left foot from outside the box after some classy build-up play.
Hayward denied an equalising chance from Taranaki minutes later and allowed the Reds to hold on till the final whistle, and pack three points in their kit bag for the journey home.
Player-coach Troy Smith agreed the match was tight and physical, but was quick to praise his talented opposition.
I feel we played the better football overall, but I believe Team Taranaki had the better chances in the game.
It was a huge team effort today, but Nick Hayward, hands down, was the man of the match. He really showed his quality and experience today.
The Reds now head back home this weekend as they take on Red Sox Manawatu at Wembley Park this Saturday.
Meanwhile, the misery continued for the Wanganui Athletic Women in the Central League on Sunday, as they fell 10-0 to Valeron Wanderers.
Carrying only one substitute into the fixture, injured player Melanie Ragg stood in for absent coach Shane Wye and rallied the ladies before their match, hoping to inspire them as they took on what could be their last chance this round to gather their first competition points.
With the return of the experienced Tanja Grunworld to the squad, Athletic would have been hoping her experience would have been enough to steady their ship and give them some attacking strength and guidance.
Unfortunately, this was not the case as an under-strength Athletic conceded yet another heavy loss, taking their record to five matches without yet scoring a goal, while conceding a massive 46 goals in the process.
Strong showings from Sheena Menzies and Grace Alifi were not enough to prevent the tide of goals, but gives the side some hope as the team are still willing to give their all for 90 minutes.
Questions need to be asked about the style of play and tactics being employed, as five rounds without finding the back of the net while having the worst defensive record in the competition, means something needs to be done differently.
The team now face an uphill battle, as they need to quickly overcome the losing mentality that can set in after such a poor start to a season, as they travel to Wellington again this weekend to take on second-placed Seatoun.