Artificial turf to be tested

A little bit of history will be made at Palmerston North’s Arena tomorrow when Federation League football is played on the artificial turf for the first time.

The game will be a battle of the two Marists – Palmerston North Marist versus Napier Marist – who finished second in the league last year despite being wellbeaten by the locals in the first round of the competition.

This time, says Palmerston North Marist coach Kenny Santy, it will be a different ballgame, with changes at Napier Marist, including players and coach, as well as at Palmerston North Marist.

Santy said even though the locals came away from New Plymouth in the first league round last weekend with a win over Rangers, he wasn’t too impressed with how his side performed.

‘‘We didn’t exactly celebrate – I think everyone knew we can do better.’’

Santy said ‘‘attitude’’ was lacking for a time in his side, especially in the first spell, even though Marist went into the second half two goals up. ‘‘We’ve had some good training since then and because this game will be the first on the turf, let’s hope the right Marist wins it.’’

There shouldn’t be any changes to the Palmerston North Marist line-up this weekend provided goalie Liam Outtrim overcomes an injury niggle.

Meanwhile, North End get their 2020 campaign under way at Memorial Park on Saturday against a Whanganui Athletic outfit who brushed aside Federation League newcomers Levin 5-0 in last weekend’s opening round.

But North End will be no easybeats, fielding most of last season’s squad who narrowly missed out on a third-place finish in the league.

Coach Garry Hodge said North End had played awarm-up game on Memorial Park and with more depth off the bench he was confident the locals would be a match for Athletic.

Both sides have proven goalscorers in their ranks so there’s potential for plenty of action on Saturday.

At Massey University, the students host New Plymouth Rangers. Red Sox have the bye this weekend.