Athletic have grounds for concern

It will be a different kind of field when Stop Out's Aimer Sanson and last weekend's goalscorer Rose Lockett meet in Petone tomorrow afternoon. PHOTO/FILE

The gamesmanship started early before Wanganui Athletic's away leg of their Central League qualifier with Wellington's Stop Out, as coach Dave Downes received a bemusing phone call on Wednesday.

Going into the match with a 0-2 deficit after Athletic's home win at Wembley Park last Sunday, Stop Out have decided to move the match from the grass field at Hutt Valley Raceway to Petone's Memorial Park an Astroturf.

Athletic are a relatively inexperienced team and only former Football Fern Ella Wiebe and veteran goalkeeper Tina Kopelic have played on an artificial surface.

"They play on it week-in, week-out," said Downes of Stop Out's advantage. "They'll say it's weather reasons, but at the end of the day it's to make it as difficult as possible."

Wiebe and Kopelic spent this week's training session trying to explain to the squad what they can expect, as Athletic will need to adapt when it comes to wearing different boot sprigs, keeping the ball on the deck and defending high kicks.

"The speed of the ball is so much quicker on astro turf," said Downes. "Slide tackling is very hard, obviously, and the bounce of the ball is higher. We've just got to go with what we know."

Despite his disgust, Downes did tacitly admit that if the shoe was on the other foot, he would probably do the same thing.

Overall, while the tactics need adjusting the basic gameplan will not change Athletic will attack early on to try and force an away goal, which would mean Stop Out need to put four goals past them to remain in contention.

Athletic will have a squad of 14, including three reserves, for their 9am bus ride to Petone tomorrow.

There will be some tweaks to the run-on lineup, with Mel Rigg's swollen knee the only injury concern that will be assessed on the day.

Collegiate player and last weekend's goalscorer Lulu Carter will start, as will former Collegiate player Catlin O'Donnell.

Kickoff will be at 1pm.