It may have been April 1, but there were no April Fools for the Whanganui's top football sides as both Wanganui Athletic and Wanganui City FC showed on Saturday they will be solid travelling teams once again in the Central Football competitions.
The Devon Homes Athletic 1sts and GVCA AccountantsAthletic Reserves have come under the tutelage of guru Jason King - the Marist man and Wanganui Chronicle columnist who is stepping out from behind the keyboard to become the 1sts head coach.
And King was pleased his new side showed heart from the get-go to comeback and earn a 3-3 draw with AFC Havelock North at Wembley Park in the opening weekend of the Lotto Federation League.
Athletic had a season to forget in 2016, and it seemed like the tune had not changed when they trailed the visitors 3-0 at halftime.
However, King had a "little chat" in the dressing room to remind Athletic that they lost this match 12-0 last season, a psychological blow that proved difficult to overcome.
The home side lifted a notch to equalise the match and give themselves loads of confidence to take to training over the next two weeks, as the bye on April 8 will be followed by an away match with New Plymouth Rangers at Merrilands Domain.
"They fought well, things started to swing our way," said King.
"After we got that first goal away, it was all guns blazing.
"It was good to see the heart of the boys - that they've got that heart."
There was not the same fairy tales in the next tier Horizon Premiership, as the Athletic Reserves were well beaten 6-1 by Hokowhitu FC Rangers on Wembley Park No2.
Picking up a lot of confidence in their return to the Premiership after a season domiciled in the local leagues was The Big Orange Wanganui City 1sts, who hammered Breakers Red Sox Rovers 8-0 over at Skoglund Park.
Along with a new sponsor to help with the costs, City coach Kelvin Francis and his new management team of Danny Jonas and Glen Ruby has amassed a 20-strong player unit and were very satisfied with their first hit out given they were blooding newcomers against unknown opponents.
"The first 45 minutes saw a good performance from the boys in yellow and black with good passing and movement being rewarded with goals to
Jordan Joblin-Hall [2], Anthony Bell and captain Latham Berry," said Francis.
Joblin-Hall got his hat trick in the second half, while hardworking midfielder Kyle Graham-Luke and speedy winger Cameron Hussey also found the back of the net to cap off some sharp passing.
Francis added praise for debuting Jack Jonas, who picked up three MVP points in the midfield, as well as Joblin-Hall and Bell for being solid up front.
Jack Jonas goes up for the ball in City's big win in their return to the Horizions Premiership.
Ben Hussey stated at left back and earned two MVP points for a solid shift, while Simon Petersen looked good coming off the bench on debut, and goal keeper Glenn Graham finished with a clean sheet.
City will host Palmerston North End on Wembley Park No1 this Saturday, with kickoff 2.45pm.
