PN Marist bag victory
Palmerston North Marist have started their W-league season with a statement of intent, while the Federation League games were packed with goals.
Marist’s first team travelled to play Seatoun in Wellington on Saturday and came away with a 6-1 win over the hosts. Marist manager Barry Scullion was pleased by his young team’s performance.
‘‘It was an excellent team performance and an encouraging start to the season against a strong Seatoun side.’’
Although the majority of the Marist team were coached by Scullion at Massey University last season, new additions have already made their mark on the league. Charlotte Lancaster, one of three new players from Hawke’s Bay, scored a hat trick and provided an assist.
Marist produced the most dominant win of the opening round, putting them top of the table on goal difference.
On Sunday, the Federation League produced plenty of goal action across all three games. Whanganui scored six to convincingly win against Feilding United at Wembley Park, Whanganui.
Whanganui manager Matt Calvert said his team had produced their best on Sunday, a result that was particularly impressive considering they were the ‘‘whipping girls’’ of the league last season. ‘‘We had a really bright start and went 2-0 up very quickly, but [Feilding] grew into the game and managed to score one.’’
Whanganui have four points from the first two games of the league – the same amount they managed in an entire season last year. Calvert said his team’s greatly improved form was a result of a strong pre-season recruiting effort and improved squad depth.
Marist’s reserve team and Massey drew 3-3 at Memorial Park, Palmerston North. Marist managed to capitalise on a Massey defensive error early in the first half, and added to their tally again before Massey got back into the game and scored one before half time.
Both teams’ final goals came in the last 10 minutes. Marist looked set to win as they scored with just minutes left on the clock, before Ali Mitchell’s outside-the-box effort evaded the Marist goalkeeper, bringing the visitors equal.
Hokowhitu Football Club are leading the league, having produced back-to-back wins, as they beat Taradale United 4-2.