Athletic may have star in making

The undefeated Wanganui Athletic women always have their star to lead them but may well have unearthed a player of the future from their 7-0 thumping of Massey at Wembley Park on Sunday.

Their former Football Fern Ella Wiebe continued her prolific season with four more goals, but joining her on the sheet was a double from a schoolgirl on debut 16-year-old Lulu Carter.

The Collegiate teenager was taking her turn to be brought up to the senior game by coach Dave Downes, as part of the feeder system Athletic have established with the school.

"She certainly stood up. Her first game for us and she gets two goals," Downes said.

Vanya Hodgkinson got the other score for her team, who after an even first 25 minutes did what they have done best in 2013 and put the foot down.

"Once again, people say 'aw, one sided'. But we have a number of players who can score. We're quite lethal in front of goal," said Downes. He singled out Wiebe and Tanja Grunworld for big games, while Grace Alifi was player of the match after she was placed in the midfield for the first time and still shone.

Athletic's eyes now turn to their big Federation Cup semifinal game at home against Palmerston North Marist this Sunday.

Downes said it would take their full concentration because, while an off day could be absorbed in the Manawatu league, this would be sudden death.

Marist have been the one team to give Athletic some problems this year, holding them to a draw in Palmerston North during the opening league round, while making them work for a 3-1 win on July 28.