Wanganui City's Max Davidson and Palmerston North Marist's Ludwig Zeoula battle for possession in Saturday's Federation League match at Wembley Park. Photo/ Bevan Conley
Wanganui City's Max Davidson and Palmerston North Marist's Ludwig Zeoula battle for possession in Saturday's Federation League match at Wembley Park. Photo/ Bevan Conley
Sometimes there's value to be found in a loss.
Certainly that's how Versatile Wanganui City will feel when they reflect on Saturday's 3-2 loss to Palmerston North Marist.
After two heavy defeats had them languishing near the bottom of the Lotto Federation League, City put in a worthy performance againsta side which was playing two leagues above them last season.
Add in the fact that two of second-placed Marist's goals came through penalties and the result looks even better for City.
"Don't concede two penalties, you win the game," coach Kelvin Francis said.
Coming a week after a Federation Cup win over Massey University Francis was anything but disappointed with City's effort at Wembley Park.
"Yep, it's a loss but it's probably a loss that tells the boys that they've come back from where we're not playing so great and we can actually foot it with the top teams.
"Rather than me continually telling them that they're good enough, they've now actually proven to themselves two weeks running that they are good enough."
City set up to get numbers behind the ball to try to limit Marist's quality attack and then hit them on the counter. But those plans were somewhat scuppered when Jamie Lambe opened the scoring for the visitors in just the third minute.
Though not on home turf, Marist must have felt a sense of familiarity with this being their third trip to Wembley in as many weeks following consecutive league and cup matches against Wanganui Athletic.
On top of that it was a first league game in green and white for Jordan Joblin-Hall since his defection to Marist from City a fortnight ago.
Wanganui City's Ben Hussey and Marist's Aaron Richardson tussle in Saturday's Federation League match in Whanganui.
The Manawatu side ran the show in the first quarter and with the luxury of so much time on the ball they were able to be patient and pick moments.
City, on the other hand, starved off possession, tried to rush things too quickly when they did turn the ball over which resulted in a series of long balls without anyone pick up at the other end.
But they eventually found their groove and with Anthony Bell striking the post in the 21st minute City began to find a bit more creativity.
While they couldn't find an equaliser they were kept in the game through Glenn Graham in goal and Thomas Sinton at the back.
Francis also hailed skipper Latham Berry who had a "massive game".
Marist doubled their lead as Ludwig Zeoula converted from the spot in the 56th minute but City's fight continued.
Jake Lockett - who had played a rugby game earlier in the day - hit the goal of the match from 30 metres out leaving Marist keeper Dominic Semmens flailing without getting a touch.
Any chance of drawing level was snuffed out when Graham brought down Rhys Jones in front of goal allowing Zeoula to slot a second penalty.
The pressure came back on Marist in the final minutes when one of City's long balls finally paid off with Lockett latching on to beat Semmens and nab his brace, but the visitors held on to retain second spot.
"I'm proud. It's a top effort," Francis said after the match.
"I thought the boys did really well. We've dug deep and battled hard. We knew we were going to be in for a tough game (but) they're definitely not unbeatable.
"I thought that they might've moved the ball a bit more than that but conditions make it difficult to do that."
Wanganui City's Chris Annabell looks for support. Photo / Bevan Conley
Francis said the more defensive set-up early on laid the foundation for the second half.
"We wanted to get back behind the ball so the aim of the game was to make sure we got behind and broke quickly. That was just to try and nullify their attack.
"We spoke about making sure we sit in and work hard for that first sort of 15 to 20 minutes and frustrate them."
The effort will really mean something if City build on it and can claim their second win of the season against bottom-of-the-table Red Sox Manawatu at Wembley this Saturday to complete the first round of matches.
"They've proved to themselves that they can play," Francis said.
"You come off a 8-1 and a 6-3 (loss), the boys start to wonder 'What are we doing here? Can we still play?'
"To come out and foot it with those guys proves that they can do it."
In other matches Massey drew 2-2 with New Plymouth Rangers, GJ Gardner Homes Wanganui Athletic thrashed Red Sox 6-0 and North End beat Hokowhitu FC 2-1 to remain top of the table.
