Hokowhitu FC's Che Boag and Wanganui City's Jake Lockett battle for the ball at Wembley Park on Saturday.
Hokowhitu FC's Che Boag and Wanganui City's Jake Lockett battle for the ball at Wembley Park on Saturday.
Versatile Wanganui City have lifted themselves up among the Lotto Federation League mid-table pack after edging a 1-0 win over Hokowhitu FC.
The two sides slugged it out over 90 minutes at Wembley Park on Saturday but it was a 46th-minute penalty which earned the three points for the homeside.
It gives City consecutive wins for the first time this season, following an impressive away win to complete a season double over New Plymouth Rangers, while it was also City's first clean sheet.
"Rapt – absolutely outstanding," City coach Kelvin Francis said.
City's fourth win of the season doesn't yet carry them from second-to-bottom, but gives them an opportunity to move up the ladder with more wins in the closing weeks as just five points separate the five mid-table teams.
Lack of goals aside, it was a match was littered with opportunities for both teams who tended to avoid the middle of the park and play much of the match in front of either goal.
City probably had the better of a first half without too many standout moments, and while there was a lot of creativity, not a lot was on target.
Then the penalty came four minutes into the second spell when Anthony Bell was brought down by Scott Mudgway while running hard into the area.
Graham-Luke, who seconds earlier had a decent shot blocked by Hokowhitu's keeper, stepped up to convert the penalty and give City a deserved lead.
Hokowhitu, who came back from 3-1 down to thrash City 6-3 in Palmerston North back in April, piled on the pressure as the match wore on.
A free kick from Mudgway hit the post late in the half and as the rain began to fall City were forced into absorbing a wave of Hokowhitu corners and free kicks over seven injury-time minutes.
Francis was pleased with the shut-out and particularly how the defensive line, led by Thomas Sinton, managed to keep the league's top goal scorer, Nick Carrick, quiet all afternoon.
"I thought we did things right, we played the ball around, we created our opportunities, we put them under pressure in the first half and then we managed to soak it up in the second – definitely a game of two halves to be fair," Francis said.
"And I thought we probably created a lot more opportunities than them in the first 45 minutes."
For Francis the win atoned for letting a good lead slip last time and gave his side plenty of motivation for the rest of the season.
"We just want to go out and play some attacking football now, we've got nothing to lose, we were second to last and we're still second to last," he said.
"But we just want to enjoy our football, play hard, play or each other and I thought we did that again today."
Kyle Graham-Luke celebrates scoring the penalty which gave Wanganui City a 1-0 win over Hokowhitu FC.
City have pulled 11 points clear of Red Sox Manawatu at the bottom and are chasing the tail of the mid-table pack with only five points separating them and Massey who move up to third.
"I'd be happy with a mid-table finish, I think that's the effort the boys have put in, I think they deserve it," Francis said. "We've had some close games."
City host Massey at Wembley Park next Saturday which Francis said "will be a tough mission".
In other matches, Massey beat GJ Gardner Wanganui Athletic 2-1 in Palmerston North, Red Sox Manawatu were hammered 10-1 by leaders Marist and New Plymouth Rangers drew 3-all with North End.
