Team effort gives Athletic first win

It was a change of fortunes for Wanganui Athletic with a well earned 4-2 win over rivals Wanganui City Reserves in the Western Premiership on Saturday.

The local derby was the curtain-raiser for a Federation League game at Wembley Park, and credit again goes to Athletic for showing passion, plus a solid and determined team effort which did not allow City any leeway.

Athletic were quicker all over the park and keen to get to any loose ball, and the reward was a 3-1 half time lead which they were able to protect to bring home their first victory for the season.

City may well rue their own untidiness.

They did not value possession and when they did get the ball they were guilty of handing it straight back all too often.

That was mainly down to pressure from their opponents, although City's own basic errors and poor decision-making didn't help.

Wanganui Athletic made sure they were going to have a good afternoon with a true team effort and they can now look to move forward with confidence.