Visitors likely to be wary of City

A storming final ten minutes from a determined and passionate Wanganui City saw the visitors come from a 3-1 deficit to take maximum points against Taradale FC at Taradale last week.

The 4-3 comeback will re-instil some confidence within the team.

Goals from Jordan Joblin-Hall, James Satherley, Zane Robinson and Kyle Graham-Luke topped off the effort from the bare eleven players who were able to make the trip.

With suspensions and unavailability, City were on tenterhooks due to limited numbers, but sheer bloody-mindedness and rekindled spirit within the unit saw the group stun their hosts as they piled on the pressure and then converted it to win on the road for the first time this season.

More of the same would be the order of the day this afternoon as City look to turn around a first-round away loss to current league leaders Palmerston North Marist.

All statistics point towards the visitors Marist, as they come into the game unbeaten thus far.

But it is their first real away trip so far this year in what has been a favourable draw for the Manawatu side.

With City showing some of their renowned fighting spirit of late, it could well be a very wary Marist side as their hosts come back to almost full strength.

Only goalkeeping stocks are short with Nicholas Hayward still suffering from glandular fever symptoms. The fact that Marist look at City as a "banana-peel" meaning this is one of those times when you slip up and with the points race still a close and open affair, the onus may well be on the hosts today to make all the play.

Marist need not necessarily take all the points and could just play safe, and maybe pick up a point on their road trip.

Kickoff is 2.30pm.Western Premiership action will be all on the road with both Wanganui sides Athletic 1sts and City Reserves tripping over to Palmerston North's Skoglund Park for early 12.45pm kick offs against their respective opponents, North End Reserves and Redsox A.

City are on a run of sorts after coming out on top in a tight encounter last weekend, 3-2 against PNBHS, which sees them hold a share of the lead with Redsox Rovers, while Athletic are still searching for an elusive first win of the season to reap reward from the effort being shown from a young side.

Tomorrow, Athletic Women's are hosts to Levin AFC at 1.30pm and shouldn't be too worried if current league standings are any form to go by.

With Athletic holding a share of top spot and Levin looking at least a consistent side if nothing else in seventh place, the local side should more than hold their own.