New-look Devon Homes Wanganui Athletic kicked off the Lotto Federation league season with a comfortable win, overcoming a persistent Palmerston North Red Sox side 1-0.
The result leaves Athletic in fourth place in the 8-team league, after some big wins in the other three matches at the weekend.
Spokesman MikeCronin said after showing fine pre-season form in downing Central league side PN Marist twice, Athletic may have been forgiven for feeling a little disappointed at being contained to just the solitary goal on Saturday.
"The hard and bumpy Red Sox pitch at Skoglund Park in Palmerston North left a lot to be desired and made it hard for Athletic to play its fast-passing game on the deck," he said. "It took 36 minutes to open the scoring thanks to a clinical left-foot strike from outside the box by Josh Smith, and Athletic were rarely troubled after that."
Cronin said after that, despite the bulk of possession and numerous chances, Athletic could not find the net again and the Red Sox were lucky not to concede more thanks to a number of post defections and some wayward shooting from Athletic's strikers.
James Oxtoby was Athletic's man of the match for his high workrate in midfield, hassling the Red Sox play-makers all day.
The first competition win was a successful start for new coach Bryan Mackie.
Athletic now look forward to their first home game of the season at Wembley Park as they host Havelock North, who will be licking their wounds after a 3-0 loss to Palmerston North End.
"A good crowd is expected at Wembley on Saturday as news of the pre-season form has spread and the locals will be keen to see the Reds in full flight," said Cronin.
