Returns key for Reserves

Luke Howe-Matthews returns to the Wanganui Athletic Reserves lineup to bolster their chances against the Red Sox today.

With Devon Homes Wanganui Athletic having yet another weekend off from competitive play, the mantle of premier side to watch falls to the Athletic Reserves this weekend as they make the short hop to Palmerston North to take on the Red Sox Manawatu Rovers in the Western Premiership.

It will be an interesting lineup for the Reserves today when they take the field against the very experienced Rovers at Skoglund Park, with the average age of the side being under 19, including the contingent of first team players who have dropped down to support their clubmates in the fixture.

The test will be a tough one for the Reserves, but they will arrive at the Red Sox home ground with the knowledge they have already claimed a 1-0 victory over the same side in the first round, and will be keen to repeat that feat - claiming a well deserved win for their undying efforts in recent rounds.

The Reserves will be bolstered by the inclusion of the likes of Quinn Mailman and Luke Howe-Matthews back into the side for the day, both of whom started their seasons with the Reserves before forcing their case and earning a promotion into the first team squad.

That bolstering should pay dividends for the Reserves, and no doubt the experience gained from the higher level of competition by those players will rub off on their peers, and allows them to hop back on the team bus after the final whistle with three competition points tucked into the kit bag.

Back home at Wembley Park, the local Charity Cup competition continues with plenty of matchups sure to influence the hustle and bustle of the standings in each group.

Group A sees St Anthony's Castlecliff take on the Rivercity Braves, in what should a be a feisty encounter with plenty of pride on the line, let alone the drive to grab a victory.

Meanwhile the Marist Casuals continue to look for some points as they host the City Thirsties.

The final match of the pool sees the Marist Shamrocks attempt to peg back the rampant City Wanderers, who currently sit atop the group.

In Group B, a club derby sees the Athletic Weekenders and the Athletic Cosmos go to war for the battle of bragging rights in the clubrooms after the match, while the Marist Bhoys look to reclaim top spot and go three points clear as they face off against the determined Castlecliff United, who will be out to spoil the party.

The round finishes up with the Marist Celtic against the Rivercity Chiefs, with Celtic looking to climb back up the table and push their clubmates for a top of the table berth.