Football: Whanganui Athletic and City get chance to show credentials

Versatile Wanganui City skipper Latham Berry (black) takes on GJ Gardner Homes Whanganui Athletic Reserves player Ryan Donaldson during the Yorb Horizons Premiership local derby at Queen's Birthday. Photo / Lewis Gardner

Two Whanganui premier football teams are facing possible season-determining matches this weekend.

In what heralds the beginning of round two of competition, GJ Gardner Homes Whanganui Athletic face Lotto Central Federation League second-placed Isles Construction Massey University FC in Palmerston North, while Versatile Wanganui City takes on Massey University Reserves in a top of the table clash in the Yorb Horizons Premiership division, also in Palmerston North.

Both sides have begun to gel after rocky starts to their respective seasons. Athletic has won its last couple of division matches convincingly, including a 5-1 drubbing of Napier Marist two weeks ago to put it tied for fourth on the table alongside PN Marist and Gisborne Thistle.

City, meanwhile, is co-leader of the Horizons Premiership alongside Massey University Reserves on the strength of a 5-2 win against GJ Gardner Homes Whanganui Athletic Reserves in a local derby at Wembley Park over Queen's Birthday Weekend.

Athletic reserves have slumped to second from the bottom of the table after a disastrous run of form.

City on the other hand has regained some of that form that sent it through last season's competition unbeaten to win the title at the expense of runners-up Athletic Reserves.
It has regained that form without a dedicated coach with the senior players now taking charge on training nights.

City captain Latham Berry said the return to form was a huge incentive, especially at the beginning of round two.

"This is in dark contrast to last season when we seemed to cruise through," Berry said.
"It has been a rocky start to this season, but the last three wins on the trot have been great and a huge incentive. We're taking each game as it comes and it beginning to work for us – we're really starting to gel as a team.

"We have Massey this weekend and we're top of the table with them and while they are playing well, so are we," Berry said.

Athletic Reserves play Takaro Jokers at home on Wembley Park number 1 ground with a 12.30pm kickoff.