DEPARTURE SHOCK: Wanganui Athletic's Hishi Lama has packed up and left for the remainder of the season.PHOTO/FILE A-230515WCBRCSOC04
Evolution Painting & Decorating Wanganui City make the long journey to Havelock North this weekend, as they continue to build momentum and prepare for the second round split in the Lotto Federation League.
Back home at Wembley, the Wanganui City Reserves grace the main field at 12.30pm in the Western Premiership as they host the youthful Massey 1sts, while the City Renovators face their biggest challenge of the season against league leaders Hokowhitu Rangers.
Devon Homes Wanganui Athletic will be focusing on consolidating their own season as they travel to Levin in the Western Premiership.
Athletic's season may have fallen well short of the trajectory they set early in the season, but maintaining their upper table position and conditioning their youth players for next year will likely become the focus for the club's remaining games.
It was revealed by sources within the club, that one of Athletic's English imports, Hishi Lama, made a shock departure from Athletic, returning home to his native Nepal reportedly due to not enjoying his time here in New Zealand.
This departure came not long after Lama was touting on social media he had earned himself a trial with Major League Soccer's, Canadian-based franchise, Toronto FC, which apparently now appears to have been a red herring.
The Reds will feel the loss of Lama, but most disappointing for the club will be the manner of his departure.
But Lama's departure will not be what will be on the minds of Athletic today, as they make their way to Levin to battle out against one of the league's grittiest opponents.
Athletic will need to look hard at their back four and ask big questions of them, as it's been their unfortunate ability to leak goals that has seen them fall off their once strong pace.
I could see this one being close, and would not be surprised to see this end up with yet another draw for the Reds.
It's a game they don't need to win, but that certainly won't stop the City 1sts taking the pitch against Havelock with the desire to return home victorious.
They may have stumbled to a 1-0 defeat to the same team just a couple of weeks ago, but City's coaching staff certainly feel like the team have the goods to go out on the pitch and continue their preparation for the impending Top 4 competition, starting next weekend.
City will be without the stoic Adrian Ngauu today, and his mammoth presence in the defensive line will be sorely missed, but will also present a chance for others within the squad to step up and shine, although the shoes will be mighty big to fill.
If City can continue with their performance from last weekend, and take the field with plenty of confidence, my pick is for the boys in gold to return home with an easy victory.
Wembley Park will be black & yellow at 12.30pm, with both of the club's Western Premiership teams hosting visitors on home grounds.
On the main ground, the Wanganui City Reserves will be facing the Massey Men's 1sts for the first time this season.
The Reserves senior roster will be a bit depleted due to Chris Annabell and Jason Fergusson being unavailable while serving suspensions for being sent from the field in recent weeks.
While losing these two key players will hurt the already threadbare roster of the Reserves, there will still be plenty of heart among the remainder of the squad, and they'll need to call on that heart as they look to contain the youthful exuberance of the third-placed Massey team.
Discipline issues having ruined what seemed to have been a resurgent run for the Reserves recently, so my pick is for them to struggle in this match, mainly due to being left with an inexperienced team.
City Renovators showed heart last weekend to take the lead against Athletic in the local derby, but will need to put a lot of focus into their defensive duties in the tail end of games, if they are to put up a fight today against current leaders, Hokowhitu.
Renovators coach Tex von Kwiatowski has been buoyant, yet blunt, in his assessments of their performances to date, while constantly reiterating his team is purely a development side with eyes on the future.
There have been standout players, some who have already been shoulder-tapped by the 1sts team to step up, showing the work being done by von Kwiatowski is already paying dividends.
Today's match will be another test of their hard work, and while I cannot see the Renovators being able to get up over Hokowhitu, if they work hard for 90 minutes they may be able to steal a draw.
A special mention must be made about Castlecliff St Anthony's, who were the winners of Wanganui Local Men's League, after winning their final match of the first round, ensuring they were able to keep their three point margin over Marist Celtic on top of the table.
The win also saw the Saints continue a 15-game unbeaten streak.
With the start of the Top 6 competition starting today, St Anthony's will have eyes firmly on the prize of adding the coveted Roly Taylor Cup to their collection for the year.
But with their opponents today being arch-rivals Marist Celtic, and with the fixture being played on Wembley's No1 ground at 2.30pm, the task will be a tough one for the minor premiers.
I'd like to pick a winner for this one, but it would be a bit biased, as I'll be playing in the match.
So let me congratulate St Anthony's on the recent minor premiership win, and wish you luck for today's match and your upcoming title challenge.
Just not too much.