Wanganui City's Luke Lamb (right) in action in his team's win over Red Sox A last weekend. Photo/Sharon Francis
Devon Homes Wanganui Athletic face an epic challenge today when they travel to Wellington's David Farrington Park to take on Miramar Rangers, one of New Zealand's most well-known and successful club sides, in their first round ASB Chatham Cup knockout fixture.
On the home front, Wanganui City welcome North End Development to Wembley Park in the Western Premiership.
Athletic will probably feel a bit like David facing Goliath as the Rangers squad is packed with Team Wellington and New Zealand U20 representative players, and currently the clear leader of the Central League.
This is the mighty colossus the Reds must topple if they are to progress to the next round of New Zealand's most prestigious football competition.
Troy Smith and the rest of the coaching staff will have been working the boys hard this week, getting their minds sharp to treat this fixture with the respect it deserves.
The Reds will also face a true test of their defensive resolve and will be hoping lapses like the one against Havelock North, which saw them throw away a two-goal lead, can be avoided.
They will need to treasure possession and capitalise on any opportunities that present themselves against such a high-quality team if they stand a chance of making the next round.
While the task will be a tough one this is football and all it takes is one goal.
Knockout football means there is no next week if the job can't be done, but glory awaits as Athletic have the chance to take a step closer to the prize.
While I'd love to see them march home with a win, I think it may just be a bridge too far for the Reds. But prove me wrong, boys; do it for Wanganui football.
If you don't feel like a day trip to Wellington, make your way over to Wembley Park at 12.30pm to see Wanganui City's clean-sheet streak challenged by North End Development.
City coach Kelvin Francis will be wanting the boys in black and yellow to build from their game against Red Socks last weekend.
Using width on attack and controlling the midfield will be key for City to dominate this match, probably looking to players like Chris Annabell and Jamie Lambe to control the game and set the tempo.
I'm picking it should be another three points banked in this match, but City will need to ensure they don't let their current form lead to complacency against a team that have only managed one win from their past four fixtures.
This could be the match where goalkeeper Jason Fergusson finally has to stretch his back to pick one out of the back of the net.
If you were after some more Saturday entertainment, there are plenty of tantalising matches on offer in the senior men's and women's competition over on the side fields at Wembley Park.
In the opening Local League round at 12.30pm, table leaders Castlecliff Saint Anthony's take on clubmates Castlecliff United in the second club derby this season.
The Saints should claim another three points here to keep them at the sharp end of the table, but Ivan Keegan's United have a knack of spoiling form teams.
The Marist Casuals, or should I say Casualties, will be hoping to keep the A&E ward clear of their players this week when they face a strong Wanganui Athletic Reserves.
Marist's development team, the Bhoys, will be looking to bounce back against a wounded Athletic Weekenders.
The Clive Barritt Builders Marist Women finish the round against the Wanganui High School Girls 1st XI, a clash which could see the victors muscle their way out of a congested middle table.
The 2.30pm round opens with the St John Castlecliff 1sts hosting Wanganui Collegiate Boys 1st XI in another must-win match for the Cliff.
Meanwhile a Wanganui City derby beckons between the Thirsties and the City Reserves over on Ground 6.
This match will be a test for the Thirsties, who have collected some well-earned points over the last few weeks.
My pick for game of the round is between Marist Celtic and the Wanganui City Hammers.
This matchup has been played out in league finals in years past and is always a hard-fought game with plenty of passion left on the field.
Celtic will be looking to claw their way back towards the top end of the table, while current champions Hammers will be looking to put the boys in green back in their place to keep a firm hold on their title hopes for 2014.
In the first weekend of the second school term, it can mean only one thing - junior football kicks off again.
Just as the mornings are getting colder, our young All Whites and Football Ferns in the making will be lacing up their boots and donning their club or school colours to play for the most important thing that exists in sport - the love of the game. So get on down to Wembley Park and make a family day of it.
It doesn't cost you a cent to get in and enjoy a day of football from the little kids in the First Kicks programme right up to our premier club sides.
The canteens will have plenty of hot chips, pies and coffee to keep your insides warm, while the football on the fields will keep your spirits warm.