Athletic eye 100th cup final

Athletic's Aaron Toy in action last weekend against City Hammers' Sinton Thomas during the first round of the Charity Cup. PHOTO/ BEVAN CONLEY 310813WCBRCSOC01

Local competitions to the fore for both men's and women's teams

While the general feeling is pretty relaxed around Wembley Park at the moment with league play now concluded, and/or Central Football Cup competitions finished for the Wanganui-based sides, there remains plenty to play for.

Both men and women will continue or begin their respective local competitions. For the men it is the Charity Cup; for the women it is the James Cup.

With the only cup game played last weekend going in favour of City Hammers - 2-0 over Athletic - the Group B clash this afternoon for the latter against Marist Celtic will be a key for the Athletic side if they wish to progress to the 100th Charity Cup final.

With only the winner of each group to contest that match on September 21, today is the last chance for Athletic.

They have drawn a bye in the last round.

And even with a win today, a place in the finale may well come down to goal differential in this group.

Group A will see a Combined Castlecliff A side take on City 1sts, or the squad minus their Under-19 eligible players, with the last side making up the numbers in the group as they prepare for a tournament in Upper Hutt in October.

The Bowl phase of the same competition remains an open affair with some close results last weekend in the opening round.

Both Marist Casuals and City Thirstys have a slight jump on the rest of the group by picking up a win and a draw from their two games last Saturday.

With this afternoon being a telling day, it will be certain that Comos Classics, Athletic Weekenders and Castlecliff B will no doubt be putting their respective cases forward to find a top-two spot to challenge next weekend in what will be the Bowl final, scheduled as the main fixture at Wembley Park.

Today also will see the final day of junior football at Wembley for 2013.

With many leagues still closely contested, it comes down to today to find the winners from each.

Whatever the case for each side, in those competitive leagues of 12 years and above, it has been a reasonably evenly contested competition all round.

A huge success this season has been the initiation of the "First Kicks" and "Fun Football" programmes at the Park.

Credit for this - while the two gentlemen will be quick to deflect any accolades - must go to Russell Eades and Jason King.

Along with a multitude of volunteers, and support one way or another by the local clubs and Central Football, Saturday mornings have been a huge success.

Eades has been fundamental in gaining local support from numerous business.

And King was the "the public face", so hundreds of children (and their parents) have enjoyed this season.

Key to the success has been the input from all of the volunteers and the parental support.

Also fascinating to see is the number of ex or current senior players who are giving their experience back to the future of the game.

All in all, a resounding success.

Well done to the children for embracing a totally new concept.

It is also great to see new Central Football development officer Matt Kilsby with a "hands on" approach, a huge difference when the staff can be seen.