Marist surge to top of tablewith big win
It may only be early in the season but a huge win in Wellington has Marist atop the W-league table, while their title rivals have already suffered their first loss of the year.
Marist beat Seatoun 6-0 in the capital on Saturday, their second win in two matches after their 2-1 victory over Petone.
Marist have new combinations this year and took a while to gel in the opening round, but in the second round they were welloiled from the start.
Meanwhile, last year’s titlewinners Wellington United Diamonds, who beat Marist on goal difference, suffered a surprise 2-1 loss to Wairarapa United.
‘‘We were hoping Wairarapa could get something out of that game. Wellington had quite a few players at the futsal university champs,’’ Marist coach Barry Scllion said. ‘‘We’re happy with that result.
‘‘For us, you can’t really ask much more than six goals away from home.’’
Captain Mikaela Boxall can’t help but find the back of the net and did so four times on Saturday, scoring both Marist’s first-half goals.
Scullion said Marist created so many chances that they should have been more than 2-0 up at halftime.
‘‘In the second half we were really good and Seatoun couldn’t get near us, so we were happy with that.’’
Jessie Falloon and Aimee Atkins scored Marist’s other goals.
Marist’s decision-making at the attacking end had improved from the first match, and they maintained possession much better, Scullion said.
They return to Palmerston North this weekend to face Waterside Karori at Memorial Park on Saturday. Kickoff is at 12.30pm.
Charlotte Lancaster is at a New Zealand under-20 training camp during the week, but will be back for the weekend.