Massey crush Athletic hopes

GOING UP: Wanganui Athletic's Ryan Holden clears the ball in the Chatham Cup game against Massey University at Wembley Park on Saturday.PHOTOS/STUART MUNRO

AN OPPORTUNITY in the competition of dreams quickly turned into a nightmare for Devon Homes Wanganui Athletic, as they were easily bundled out of the Chatham Cup 5-1 on Saturday by Massey University.

Meanwhile, three goals for the Athletic Reserves was not enough to lift them up over Palmerston North Marist thirds.

It was a chance for the Athletic firsts to have a tinker with their squad, and put forward a team which could carry them throughto the next round of the Chatham Cup.

But the tinkering was in all the wrong areas, and with lacklustre results.

With regular centre-back Jamie Clark deployed at the top of the attack, and his usual partner in the backs Symon King donning the gloves in goal for the game, you could have been forgiven for thinking that Wanganui Athletic were not taking it seriously.

That mentality showed through as the Reds again struggled to get a foothold in the game, allowing Massey long periods of possession, with Athletic unable to return any real pressure, and again spent most of the dying minutes parked behind the ball.

It's becoming more and more apparent Athletic are still undermanned and outclassed against better organised sides with more desire.

The Reds travel to Guthrie Park this weekend to face Havelock North, and will need to be prepared to dispel the demons on their first-round drubbing.

The Athletic reserves are still performing the better of the two Athletic teams, despite falling to a 5-3 loss to the visiting Marist thirds on the weekend.

Goals to Sam Conley, Quinn Mailman, and Jordan Candish showed that the Reserves still have the ability to attack well, and place pressure on teams.

The reserves played well in many parts of the game, moving the ball well and testing the Marist defence, but were easily frustrated when the visitors foiled their attacks, and slowed the game, forcing the reserves to take unnecessary chances.

The young development side kept fighting throughout, making Marist work hard for the three points.

Another game at home awaits the reserves this weekend, with the dominant New Plymouth Rangers making their first journey to Wembley Park this season, which should be another test for the young side as they hope to pull their socks up and get themselves back on track.