I'll take the 3 points very happily, good to see us get a few on the scoresheet, now its all about doing it against higher quality opposition.
With respect to the win, it is tempered by the fact that it is Manawatu. They need to get a result like this against a couple of top teams to show signs of promise and development. Today was nice at times - Ryan Thomas does have some talent that is known about and the Chilean lad Elder Franchini played some nice through balls but they just were not capitalised on because of players failing to see the game unfold. How would this team be with Thomas and Lissette? Who knows. I think Cossey got it right dropping Edge to the bench because in my opinion, he does not have the ability for this level esepcially in the engine room and Hobson-McVeigh didn't do himself a disservice.
Manawatu.... Mosquera is putting them in so they will remain in contention in most games if he keeps doing that. I'm surprised that there is a team that will give Cooksley a run. I know he's got a few games under his belt but I've also cooked several thousand hot meals and that doesn't make me a chef. When you combine him with Matt Kennedy doing his best to get tossed, that would probably be the most non-delivering midfield of the comp. That guarantees to ensure you are at the foot of the table in some respects.