Unbeaten Athletic awesome

Wanganui Athletic have continued their unbeaten season in emphatic fashion when they handed fellow undefeated North End AFC women a 7-0 hiding in Palmerston North on Sunday.

Having their first round game in the Manawatu Women's League called off because of bad weather in June, Athletic had wondered what kind of threat North End posed but did not give their hosts any opportunity to mount a performance to match their record.

Delighted coach Dave Downes said the scoreline might sound anticlimactic, but the team had worked hard.

"The girls were fantastic. They were up for it, didn't allow North End a look in.

"It wasn't some individuals that did it ... that's the most pleasing thing for me as a coach."

Former Football Fern Ella Wiebe continued her golden touch with a hat-trick, with the rest shared between Rose Lockett, Jordy Kahl, Grace Alifi and Vanya Hodgkinson.

Wanganui Athletic now must be clear favourites for the Top 4 competition against North End, Palmerston North Marist and Massey.

Downes has used a core group of eight players for the year, backed by around another seven younger ones and players from the Athletic second team.

Athletic now have a home run of three games - starting with Marist then Massey in the Manawatu league, before they play PN Marist again in the important Federation Cup semifinal.

Despite having proved themselves against all the Manawatu teams, and with the second Marist game having more riding on it, Downes said there was no need to consider experimentation. "It's more about consistency and getting the team to play well."