Football: Young charges left frustrated with draw

Football PHOTO/FILE

It was an eventful weekend in the Wanganui Men's and Women's Local League competitions on Saturday, with the results creating a bit of movement on the table.

In the fixture between the Wanganui Athletic Cosmos and the Wanganui City Reserves, Cosmos were able to keep their younger counterparts frustrated and finished the game at two goals each.

The draw keeps the Cosmos within close distance of the top eight, which will be vital if they want to make the cut when the league splits after the first round.

St John Castlecliff 1sts were able to punish their clubmates, Castlecliff United, with a 5-0 victory.

The Cliff 1sts had big hopes for the season, aiming for top honours, and it's starting to look like their plans are falling into place as they currently sit fourth on the league table.

Wanganui Athletic Reserves put on a lesson for the boys from Collegiate with a 7-0 drubbing.

Their win keeps the Red Reserves within one point of the top of the table.

Honours in the inter-Marist derby went to Marist Celtic, as they kept the new lads, the Bhoys, in their place with a 3-1 victory. The win was crucial for Celtic, as they look to return to the top of the table, but need wins from their next few matches to make the most of the fact they still have a game in hand.

Wanganui High School 1sts pulled off a come-from-behind victory over the Athletic Weekenders, winning 5-4 after being 3-0 down.

The win lifts the WHS boys above the Weekenders, although both teams are still sitting in the bottom half of the table.

A single goal was all the Thirsties could manage in their 7-1 loss against a resurgent Castlecliff Braves, who are currently making quite a march up the table with a string of recent wins.

Braves are now sitting at eighth, but have the Cosmos nipping at their heels.

Every win will count, as they face one of the tougher runs home at the end of the first round. Marist Casuals were not able to deny points to the current league leaders, Total Automotive Wanganui City Hammers. An uncompromising Hammers setup put 11 goals past the Casuals, while the men in green were not able to find anything in reply.

The Hammers are one point clear at the top of the table and any dropped points in coming rounds could see Athletic Reserves or Castlecliff St Anthonys make a move for top position.

In the women's fixtures, Wanganui High School travelled to Collegiate and beat them on their own turf won 3-1, while the Castlecliff Saints were unfortunate to concede seven goals with no reply against the Wanganui Girls' College squad.

Castlecliff Scrappers picked up a win over the Clive Baritt Builders Marist Women, a victory that sends the Scrappers to the top of the women's league table.

The Wanganui City Women had a bye on the weekend, so will certainly be out for blood next weekend to regain their top spot.