Football: City's Cup hopes blow away in gale

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While Wembley Park echoed to choruses of "Campioni" from the Wanganui Athletic sheds after their big Lotto Federation League win, their neighbours over the back fence were licking their wounds as Wanganui City bowed out of the knockout Federation Cup with a 3-2 loss to the youthful Francis Douglas Memorial College.

Playing on a narrow, boggy pitch in a howling gale at the Taranaki school's grounds was never going suit the style of play the City boys have mastered this season, usually being keen to use wide pitches to open up teams.

Francis Douglas were the first to get on the scoresheet, though the goal was scored in controversial circumstances.

It appeared to spectators that the officials missed two consecutive offside calls in the build-up play leading to the goal, leaving City to chase the game early on.

"To be honest, we played pretty average. We had the wind at our backs in the first half but we didn't play the football we're good at," said upset City coach Kelvin Francis.

"We tried to over-use the wind and our distance shooting was rubbish.

"We played well in patches but we didn't want it enough."

Luke Lambe filled his brother's position at the top of the park, alongside Jake Lockett.

Lambe brought the game back level in the first half, giving City some hope they could get back into the game in the second half.

With the scores locked at 1-1 at the halftime whistle, Francis said the message to the team was simple.

"I said to them, they're not looking like they're getting any better, but we can get a truckload better. Let's just go out there and play some football."

Forced into taking off captain James Satherly at the break, Francis replaced him with Tom Dixon.

City took Francis' message on board and they came out with a renewed determination, and played well.

But an unlucky own goal by Dylan Howells sent the home side ahead again 2-1.

A scuffed shot had deflected off Howell's ankle, leaving City keeper Jason Fergusson stranded and heading in the wrong direction, only able to watch the ball nestle in the back of the net.

The second half also presented a lot of niggle from both teams, as they showed they were both hungry to progress to the next round.

City were able to draw the scores level when the officials again made a controversial call, awarding Lockett a penalty when he was shoved off the ball in the box at the same time he had lost his footing over it.

Chris Annabell stepped up to take the shot and coolly slotted it past the keeper, bringing the scores tied at 2-2.

City started to gain opportunities on goal but it was Ashleigh Reader-Noakes who controlled a lot of the game for Francis Douglas in the middle of the park, keeping City from building any real attacks.

Annabell was rewarded for yet another good effort in the middle of the park by getting himself clear on goal for the best opportunity to send City ahead in the second half.

He was left one-on-one with the keeper and looked to place the ball across his face but, with an unlucky gust of wind, the ball sat perfectly for the goalie to snaffle up and keep the home side in the match.

Francis Douglas made the most of their possession late in the second half, and got themselves in the danger zone, beating Fergusson in-goal and closing out the match at 3-2.

While they are out of the Cup race, City will now focus on winning the Western Premiership and ensure they find their form again this weekend, when they host Levin AFC.