Football: Saints seek to ascend to 2nd

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Match with Athletic Reserves to be mammoth battle

As Wembley Park's main ground is free of Lotto Federation or Western Premiership games at 12.30pm, it's only right that two of the dominant teams in the Wanganui men's local league get to open the day's senior football.

The match-up between the Wanganui Athletic Reserves and Castlecliff St Anthony's should be a mammoth battle between the second and third-placed teams on the table.

The Saints will be looking to recover from last week's draw against the Cosmos and will be keen to pick up three points, which would send them above Athletic, while the Reserves will all be looking to show their form to first team counterparts who take the field in the match afterwards.

In the other games in the first round of the day, Athletic Cosmos take on the Wanganui City Thirsties, with the Thirsties keen to gain some points in what has been a rollercoaster season for them, while Castlecliff United, fresh from last weekend's victory, will be up against a tough opposition in the form of league leaders Total Automotive Wanganui City Hammers.

The Hammers should take the three points from this one, which could push them closer to being table toppers at the end of the first phase of 2014.

Wanganui Collegiate face off against the Marist Bhoys in what could be a battle in the midfield for both teams, while the Wanganui High School Internationals, who have been playing some good football despite mixed results, come up against the Marist Casuals.

The Casuals will be pleased to see the return of many players from injury, after taking last weekend off to recharge, but they will be wary of their younger and faster-paced opponents, and will need to shut them down to keep themselves in the match.

In the second session of the day at 2.30pm, the Wanganui City Reserves host Marist Celtic, with Celtic desperate to keep in the race for top spot.

With a game still in hand after an early season postponement by the Cosmos, they will be needing to ensure they don't drop any points in the coming weeks, but the mercurial City Reserves will be wanting to spoil their march, after forcing the Hammers to a close victory last weekend.

The St John's Castlecliff 1sts have the friendly against the Wanganui City Renovators, while the Athletic Weekenders play scalp-hunting Castlecliff Braves.

Both of these sides are pushing for a place in the Top 8 at the moment, with the Weekenders sitting just outside the running, and the Braves with one foot in the door.

The women's league sees the Clive Barritt Builders Marist Women playing the Castlecliff Saints.

Watching this social match will be fun.

In the only other women's match being played today, Wanganui Collegiate host Wanganui Girls College over at the Collegiate School grounds.