It was a case of close but not close enough for the Wanganui Athletic Reserves in their Western Premiership fixture against the Red Sox Manawatu Rovers on Saturday, as they felt the disappointment of an agonisingly close 2-1 loss.
The young Athletic development side couldn't find the away win they
were looking for as the Red Sox got their revenge on their own home ground after the Reserves previously beat them at Wembley with a 1-0 scoreline.
It was mostly the favoured home side's experience which gave them the advantage for key lengths of time, but the Reserves were not willing to back down and let the Rovers have their way with them.
The Reserves made the most of their first team compatriots returning to the fold, with striker Quinn Mailman getting the side on the scoresheet with a well-placed finish and making a torrid time for the Rovers defence throughout the game.
Although the result was not what the young side needed after weeks of improvement, it should be seen as another step in the right direction of their development, as they not only look ahead to next week's home fixture against North End, but to next year's season.
