Athletic catch Chatham Cup fever

GO TOGETHER: Wanganui Athletic 1sts will need a team effort in their Chatham Cup clash at Wembley Park today.PHOTO/FILE

THE MAGIC of the ASB Chatham Cup comes to Wembley Park today as Devon Homes Wanganui Athletic look to move beyond the first round in their home fixture against Massey University at 2pm on the main ground.

Meanwhile, the Athletic Reserves continue their journey in the Western Premiership at home against the Palmerston North Marist 3rds.

In 1922, the crew of HMS Chatham donated a marvellous trophy to the New Zealand Football Association - one modelled on the English FA Cup - in appreciation for the hospitality shown to them on a visit to New Zealand.

The gesture initiated the annual tradition of football clubs from around the country competing for one of the most coveted trophies on offer since that day.

This year, 130 teams nationwide will compete in one of New Zealand's oldest competitions, with our own Wanganui Athletic looking to take the step into the next round with a win over Massey University.

It will not be the first time these two have met this year, with Massey beating the Reds 4-2 in

the Lotto Federation League fixture.

However, Athletic will feel positive going into this match, knowing that it was only because of missed opportunities that they went down the last time the teams faced each other.

They will be looking to seek revenge and claim a pass into the second round of the historic competition, with the added bonus of playing at home on the hallowed main ground at Wembley.

While the Athletic Reserves will be wishing the best for their senior club counterparts, the earlier 2pm kickoff time of the Chatham Cup fixture shunts them over to Wembley's No2 ground fortheir tie against the Marist 3rds today.

With a 12.30pm kickoff setting the match in motion, the Reserves will be hopeful of taking advantage of some good form in recent games, and look to convert the strong efforts on the field into competition points at the final whistle.

While Tesco Grunwald continues to display a level-headed leadership in the middle of the park, recent weeks have seen the diminutive David Garner stepping up as a quality midfield partner for Grunwald. The two seem to work together in creating attacking opportunities as well as linking to slow down the opposition, and Garner is certainly presenting himself as one to watch for the future, along with several others in the young development squad.

A win today would help the Reserves lift themselves further up the table, and spell good things for the club's progress in building the young side in preparation for bigger things next season.