Marist, Massey set the pace

Palmerston North Marist and Massey University are setting the early pace in this season’s men’s Federation League competition after both made it two wins from two games on Saturday.

Marist dashed North End’s hopes of getting points on the board with a hardfought 4-2 victory in the wet at Skoglund Park, Palmerston North.

At the same time at Massey, the students ran riot over Napiermarist, their 8-1 win bringing Massey’s league goal haul to 11 after just two outings.

Marist didn’t have things all their own way against a plucky North End, with a draw looking possible for long stretches even though Marist led for much of the game and looked the more polished side.

The teams were locked at 1-1 after Nick Carrick’s spot-on header flew into the North End goal, then North End striker Nathan Cooksley netted a minute later at the other end.

But as halftime neared, a penalty converted by Carrick saw Marist go into the second spell a goal ahead, their lead extended to 3-1 by nippy winger Melvin Rumere during the second spell as he slipped the defence and rifled the ball into goal.

North End weren’t done though, Joe Craven making it 3-2 from a corner, and they pressed hard for the equaliser.

But then Carrick nailed it for Marist, sweeping in from the right to power the ball into goal.

Trailing 4-2, North End heads went down and there was no coming back from that.

Despite the loss, North End co-coach Michael Sheridan said he was happy with the effort. ‘‘I thought the scoreline flattered them.’’

Marist coach Juliano Schmeling said the game was the physical encounter he expected in difficult conditions.

Conceding a goal from a corner again showed more work was needed in this area, he added.

Massey were down a goal in the first half of their clash against Napier Marist before pulling it back to 1-1 at the break.

Coach Donald Piper said he had a chat about what was required in the second spell, and the students turned it on for him.

‘‘We were unplayable for about 25 minutes in the second half,’’ he said.

‘‘We had threats all over the park and carved them apart with some nice goals.’’

In other games, Gisborne Thistle made their league debut with a 3-0 home win over last year’s runners-up Whanganui Athletic, and New Plymouth Rangers edged Levin 3-2.

In the Horizons Premiership, the results at the weekend continued to veer away from last season.

The two Whanganui sides and Palmerston North Boys’ High School, who dominated the top three last season, seem to be finding it a struggle this year.

Titleholders Wanganui City have had a win and a loss so far this season, Whanganui Athletic reserves, runners-up last year, have drawn one and lost one, while Boys’ High, third last season, have been defeated in both their outings this year.

In spectacular contrast, Takaro, who came bottom last year, have won two from two this season, as have Feilding United, who finished third from bottom last year.

The upshot is Takaro are leading the competition after two rounds, followed by Feilding United, while Hokowhitu and Marist reserves are the other unbeaten sides.

Boys’ High and North End reserves are bottom, with no points so far this season.