Marist rues missed chance against massey
There was plenty of drama under lights at the Arena in the men’s Federation League top-of-the-table clash.
The outcome on the artificial turf was a 2-2 draw between Palmerston North Marist and Massey University on Friday night with also-unbeaten Gisborne Thistle a point behind the pair in third place.
Marist will undoubtedly rue the two points they dropped against the students after they had led by two goals at halftime.
But it is too early in the season to tell how vital the result might become even though the two top teams from last year – New Plymouth Rangers and Whanganui Athletic – aren’t faring so well this year. Marist scored first through Luke Palfreyman then Melvin Rumere, and looked comfortable against Massey.
Even a second-half penalty, converted by Massey’s Rhys Galyer, didn’t seem too much of a threat to Marist’s domination as both sides strove to give as good as they got. But Marist weren’t turning their pressure and possession into goals despite the firepower they could muster, and this was their downfall in terms of collecting maximum points.
On the break, the students always looked dangerous. In stoppage time Zac Farmer, from the right flank, cut the ball into the middle for Cole Freeman to grab the equaliser as Marist desperately tried to scramble the ball out of the area.
Farmer became increasingly effective dashing forward as the game wore on while Rumere has been a revelation for Marist this season, making up for what he lacks in height with deceptive pace that turns defences inside out.
The Massey line-up this year looks to be the most accomplished to emerge for some years, while Marist brims with talented individuals who have yet to display their full potential as a potent combination.
Massey coach Donald Piper said once the students got their execution right, they began to causemarist problems.
Marist coach Juliano Schmeling agreed the first half belonged to his side and when they came under pressure after the break, especially after Massey scored from the penalty spot, Marist didn’t manage the situation as well as they might have.
‘‘So I think there is a good lesson in that for us.’’
In other results, Thistle beat Rangers 4-0, Athletic and Havelock North Wanderers drew 1-1 and Levin beat Napier Marist 1-0, Levin’s second win since joining the league last year.
■ In the Horizons Premiership, Takaro and Feilding United remained unbeaten at the top of the competition after the weekend round of games. Titleholders Wanganui City lie in third spot.
Palmerston North Boys’ High School gained their first points of the season with victory over fellow-strugglers North End reserves. The result leaves North End at the foot of the table while the schoolboys moved up to seventh place on the ladder.