Athletic Reserves hammer Massey Celtic

Raymond Hove scored a hat trick in Wanganui Athletic Reserves victory at the Massey University grounds.

GVCA Wanganui Athletic Reserves gave themselves a shot in the arm for the Horizons Premiership by hammering Massey Celtic 9-2 at the university grounds on Saturday.

Up 2-0 at halftime, the Reserves had their lead reduced to 2-1, but then took control of the match before the floodgates opening inside the final ten minutes, with four goals being scored virtually on every possession over a four minute burst.

Coach Jason King, able to stay with the squad for the full day as his 1sts side was on a bye week, was delighted that the team continued to play with a positive attacking style.

Even though they were facing a winless opponent, the Reserves could have been paranoid after their tough season and tried to eek out an ugly victory.

"It's really good for the team. The football they played was really good," said King.

"That's always going to be a confidence builder.

"They were willing to not park back, they wanted to make the most of the lead and show they had it in them."

Raymond Hove scored a hat trick of goals, as did Richard Saunders.

Wanganui 1sts regular Quinn Mailman got a double, while Daniel Timmins added his name to the score sheet.

Jareth Lau was man of the match after a solid shift in the centre of the park.

Reserves will now have to lift again as they take on second-placed Hokowhitu FC at Skoglund Park, the team that beat them 6-1 in the first round.