Football: City runs rings round Rovers

Wanganui City's Latham Berry cuts a path straight through the Red Sox Rovers' defence on his way to scoring one of his side's 10 goals against the Manawatu team. PHOTO/SHARON FRANCIS

A 10-nil thumping by Wanganui City over Manawatu's Red Sox Rovers at the weekend is not necessarily evidence the Western Premiership league lacks depth.

After losing a significant number of senior players to other clubs during the off season, the decision was made by City to drop its first team down a grade from Federation league to Western Premiership level this season.

From the outset playing at home in their season debut on Saturday, Wanganui City dominated Red Sox Rovers.

Playing a passing game City ran rings around the opposition resulting in a first half goal-fest scoring six to Rovers nil.

City coach Kelvin Francis said half-time instructions were more of the same.

"I told them to keep passing the ball around and keep the shape," Francis said.

City did just that and added another four unanswered goals in the second spell for a 10-nil victory.

Francis said the man of the match, captain James Satherley, commanded the backline well while goal scorers Jamie Lambe (four), Chris Annabell (three), Cody Wainhouse (two) on debut and Latham Berry (one) all played well along with debuts for Marcus Jones at right back, Max Davidson at left half, Eli Fleming at left back, Kent Rivers off the bench at striker and Wainhouse at striker.

"A good team camaraderie and working hard for each other paid off for the lads, All in all a good day out for Wanganui city's young chargers," Francis said.

"Despite the scoreline, I think the correct decision was made to drop down a grade for this season.

"When I approached the club with the idea, I told them I didn't want the guys fighting for their lives every Saturday.

"To be fair, Red Sox didn't field a strong side. They've lost a lot of senior players too and there are some far stronger sides in the Western Premiership league than these guys."