Derby day at Wembley

Wanganui Athletic Reserves Anthony Cliff fights for possession against North End last weekend. Athletic take on rivals Wanganui City at Wembley Park this afternoon. Photo/ Stuart Munro

Wembley Park hosts a big afternoon of football on Saturday with the first local derby of the Horizons Premiership and a vital match for Devon Homes Wanganui Athletic in the Lotto Federation League.

The Big Orange Wanganui City 1sts will head into the their derby with GVCA Wanganui Athletic Reserves having scored eleven goals in their opening two matches to sit comfortably at the top of the Horizons Premiership ladder.

But that's not to write off Athletic who bounced back from a heavy opening round loss to beat North End 5-2 last week.

City coach Kelvin Francis nothing was guaranteed in a derby.

"They've got nothing to lose so that makes them dangerous" he said.

Despite being dominant in their opening games, Francis believed City still had room to be more clinical on goal and not waste the many opportunities they were creating.

"We're moving the ball well and covering well which is very pleasing from a coaches perspective," he said.

"We're really not worrying about what Athletic bring to the park. We'll just do our thing and let it take care of itself."

Francis was expecting a big crowd at Wembley Park 2 given it was City's old timers' day as well.

"Derby day's always something special," Francis said.

Athletic coach Jason King was happy to hand the favourites tag to City but his side were turning up to win.

"Derbies are different," he said. "There's a lot more a stake than just three points. I'm sure our players are up for it."

King said Athletic needed to trust its own game and to not let City dictate play.

Meanwhile, in the Lotto Federation League Devon Homes Wanganui Athletic will be looking to notch their first win after a frustrating start to the season.

Athletic have banked just one point from six in two matches which King says they had chances to win.

This weekend at Wembley Park 1 Athletic will go in as favourites against Massey 1sts who are yet to win a game and may have lost some players to holidays.

But King said they would remain wary.

Athletic had been forced into playing catch up too often this season and he wanted to this afternoon's match on the front foot.

"It's about not making it a second half fight back and taking hold of the match early on."

Both matches start at 2.45pm.