City win brings happy days

It is happy days for Wanganui City after their workmanlike 2-0 victory over Federation League leaders Palmerston North Marist at Wembley Park on Saturday.

The locals notched their first win of the season over their Manawatu-based rivals with goals from Jordan Joblin-Hall and Kyle Graham-Luke, and while not spectacular the home side were efficient and eventually worthy of their win.

Ground conditions were a major factor with an earlier curtain raiser taking its toll on the playing surface, making any chance of an attractive passing game all but impossible.

Marist were not without their opportunities, as would be expected from a team who have now been defeated only twice this year, and it was City goalkeeper Jack Judd-Nuttall who stood his ground on several occasions to thwart the visitors as they applied pressure, especially late in the game.

First came an outstanding tip-over from a swerving drive, then when Marist should have scored on a break Judd-Nuttall guessed right to keep his side with a morale-boosting clean slate.

The result solidifies City's mid-table standing, but such is the closeness in the league they could still rise as high as second.

Given the mediocre start to their campaign, anything in the top four would be a huge turnaround and cause of optimism for next season.

With several younger players now getting more game time, they will only benefit and progress further with their experiences.

It was also a welcome return to the winner's circle for the Wanganui City Reserves when they outplayed North End Reserves with a comprehensive 6-1 win at home.

The locals adapted quickly to the wet and slippery conditions and with control of the game in the midfield area held a more than convincing 4-0 lead at the break after goals from Cameron Hussey, Chris Annabell, Latham Berry and Adrian Ngauu.

To their credit, North End came out still fighting after the break and were rewarded with a goal before City put the game away with two more second-half strikes to Annabell and Berry.

Unfortunately for Wanganui Athletic 1sts, they were unable to complete a Wembley Park sweep for the home sides on Saturday when they fell away from their recent league form, being undone 2-0 by Redsox Rovers.

Personnel availability is having an effect on the Athletic side, as with many local teams with school ball season restricting selections.

Results.

Federation League: Wanganui City bt PN Marist 2-0.

Western Premiership: Wanganui City Reserves bt North End Reserves 6-1; Wanganui Athletic 1sts lost to Redsox Rovers 2-0.