Schoolboys meet students in derby
The only derby clash in the Federation League this weekend is at Massey University, where the students are taking on Palmerston North Boys’ High.
Both sides are looking for their first points of the season so there is plenty riding on the result.
However, neither will be at full strength, with Massey on a semester break and the Easter holiday running close to Anzac Day.
Massey coach Donald Piper said as a result the club was ‘‘quite stretched’’ because of players away, but he had a squad of 14 for the game.
‘‘Things are a bit difficult, but I’m hoping for a good showing. We certainly won’t be taking Boys’ High lightly.’’
Boys’ High coach Steve Dawson said he was down ‘‘maybe one player’’ who would have been in the run-on side, but in compensation had striker Coebin Castell-spence to add to the team’s firepower now that his registration problems had been finally sorted.
Dawson said he was looking forward to playing on the Massey surface, which he rated on a par with Memorial Park, Palmerston North.
As for the schoolboys’ performances so far, he said they had learned a harsh lesson last weekend in their loss to Red Soxmanawatu¯ when they fell off the pace in the second spell after leading at halftime.
Dawson said he’d had something to say about intensity at training this week. But at the same time the ‘‘rub of the green’’ just hadn’t come Boys’ High’s way yet – something he was hoping might change sooner rather than later.
The most intriguing contest this weekend looks to be the Palmerston North Marist-havelock North Wanderers encounter at Memorial Park today, the clash of the 2017 and 2018 Federation League champions. Wanderers have begun with an ominous warning in netting four times in their first outing this year, but Marist are also unbeaten and scored a bucketful of goals in their first two games.
Marist this weekend have been hit by the loss of injured experienced midfielder Luke Palfreyman, who was among the goals last weekend.
Who wins, if it’s not a draw, may go a long way toward shaping the league outcome, although North End and Red Sox could still have something to say about that.
Red Sox host Wanganui Athletic, the latter desperately looking for a win this season, while also at Skoglund Park, Palmerston North, North End meet Napier Marist, who triumphed over Wanganui City last weekend.
Red Sox coach Shane Rufer said Athletic were a physical side who would need to be matched.
Rufer said the Red Sox defence would be bolstered by the return of fullback Cam Marshall.
North End, in second spot on the league ladder, host Napier Marist, with both sides coming off wins last weekend.
North End will be without the unavailable Willie Hodge for the game, but coach Garry Hodge said he was ‘‘excited’’ about the clash.
‘‘I have no doubt they’ll be a youthful and useful side,’’ he said of Napier Marist.
Hodge said North End were creating plenty of chances, but needed to start better and be better on the ball – protecting it and not giving away possession.
Hokowhitu team manager Scott Taylor said he would be calling on a couple of reserve team players this weekend as reinforcements as they go in search of their first points at Wanganui City.
‘‘If you can leave Whanganui with a point, it’s a good result, but we’ve got to build on the momentum of last weekend and put in a 90-minute effort.’’