Anthony Bell scoring one of his four goals against Massey Celtic last weekend. Bell will be missing for City when they play Marist Development today.
The Big Orange Wanganui City 1sts will go without the Horizons Premiership's top goal scorer and a couple of other players who would rather hunt Daffy Duck than the back of the net at Ashurst Domain today.
Sharing joint lead of the competition with their upcoming opponent in the premiership in Hokowhitu FC Rangers, on paper City should have little problem with the middle of the table Marist Development this afternoon, although City coach Kelvin Francis confirmed he is working the phones to confirm a third substitute for the trip.
Anthony Bell, who has dominated the competition with eight goals, has his daughter's birthday party today, but Francis is also happy to take a 'safety-first' approach with his star player after he got a boot stud driven into the top of his foot in the 9-0 hammering of Massey Celtic.
"We've got a [Lotto Federation] Cup game away and we don't know what Hastings are going to bring, and then we've got Hokowhitu."
In addition, Cameron Hussey will be among the players out on the first day of duck shooting season, while his brother Ben Hussey suffered a knee injury and is likely to miss the rest of the winter once he gets it seen to.
Without Bell, added responsibility falls on the other leading goal scorers in Jordan Joblin-Hall (five) and Kyle Graham-Luke (four), while captain Latham Berry has been delivering in the middle of the park.
"I'm confident in my group of players that go there to do the job," said Francis.
"My job will be making sure the guys are mentally prepared."
Coming off the big win and with larger opponents off in the distance, it would be easy for City to have a slight malaise about today - thinking about a walkover win and then a beer on the way home.
"The beers might be cried into if we don't do the job properly.
"Teams that are behind you on the table want to knock you off and that brings out the best in them."
Marist Development did show character last weekend to come from two goals down in the final 20 minutes to draw 2-2 with GVCA Wanganui Athletic Reserves.
Before that, their 3-2 victory over Massey Celtic on opening weekend was followed by tough losses to Feilding United (5-1) and North End (5-0).
Kyle Andre Mamigo has scored two of their six goals this season.
As well as his duck shooters, Francis will receive further reinforcement next week as Josh Ngapeka has begun training with the side.
Ngapeka was a fixture of the City Renovators under coach Tex von Kwiatowski two seasons ago and will add to the attack.
Able to have both squads together at once at Wembley Park, Devon Homes Wanganui Athletic 1sts coach Jason King confirmed none of his players have gone to the birds instead of facing Red Sox Manawatu today in the Lotto Federation League.
"The only hunters we have are the ones looking for goals."
Pleased with the efforts of several regular Athletic Reserves when they joined the team for their long trip to the 2-0 win over Gisborne Thistle, King has made a couple of more permanent changes with Jude Hiri staying with the top side.
"Jude certainly fought into the 1st team. We continue with him, when he's doing well and terrorising defences."
Jai Stephens will drop back down, while Zeb Small stays up and is likely to get a start after going to Gisborne as a substitute.
"It's part of the development plan. We got a group of starters, but there's always a few spots, even starting positions, where we like to give them a crack," said King.
Ryan Holden would like to make up a bit more ground on Havelock North's Jared Bloor, who moved past Holden's tally of six goals to reach eight at the top of the league standings.
King is also giving an opportunity to Raymond Hove, who because of previous work commitments finishing at 3pm would often arrive just in time to play the second half of games.
Hove's brother Kelvin is a regular starter and impressed the Gisborne newspaper last weekend, while youngest sibling Taku will also be on the bench.
King would very much like to consolidate Athletic's second place on the table, heading into the gap week for the Federation Cup games.
Red Sox started their campaign with a 1-0 win over Massey, before losing narrowly 1-0 to Marist and being beaten 6-3 by competition leaders Havelock North.
Ryan Noble has scored two of their four goals.
The Athletic Reserves also have the chance to pick up their feet when they face Levin AFC Premier on Wembley Park's No2 pitch.
King put the disappointment of last weekend's draw with Marist Development down to being light on subs as the "wheels fell off" in the final quarter.
"We know that they can do it, it's a team that have fought back as well."
Daniel Timmins scored their two goals and steps up as one of the main weapons with Hiri (two goals) now joining the 1sts.
Levin struggled into the season with losses to Palmerston North Boys High 1st XI (1-0) and Hokowhitu (2-1), but have found their feet after wins over Feilding United (2-1) and North End (4-1).
Both Athletic home games start at 2.45pm.