Stronger City faces Norths

After falling to Team Taranaki very late in the game last weekend, Wanganui City will hit the road to take on North End for only the second time this season as the sides open round three of the Federation League.

The scheduled second-round fixture between City and North End was postponed as both sides undertook their respective Chatham Cup fixtures.

Round one saw a lot of promise from the Manawatu side as they shared game honours on opening day in a 2-2 draw with City.

Since then, inconsistency has seen the North End side slip surely down the league ladder to be sitting one spot below their Wanganui visitors today.

City, for their part, have improved as the side has gelled throughout the season and today, hopefully, they will show the same fortitude that almost won them the points in very trying conditions last Saturday.

Western Premiership action will start early today with Wanganui City Reserves hosting the title favourites Manawatu Redsox Rovers at 12.30pm.

City will have to improve from last weekend, when they were guilty of giving up possession and falling to local rivals Wanganui Athletic.

Athletic will travel with a new-found confidence when they take on Takaro Titanz.

Earlier in the season, Athletic fought back from three goals down to earn a meritorious draw with the Titanz at home that day.

Combined with their morale-boosting win last week they should, if the hard effort is continued, reap more reward today.

In women's action, after having their much-anticipated league match-up against fellow unbeaten side North End 1sts postponed last Sunday, due to weather conditions, the Athletic Women host the Reserve team from the same club.

The Manawatu Knock Out Cup game is at 1.30pm at Wembley Park tomorrow.

The visitors only lost by the odd goal in league play earlier in the season, and as this is a knock-out competition, the game should provide excellent value for spectators.