Key match-ups for Federation League
Another round of key match-ups is in store for fans in this weekend’s men’s Federation League battle.
Unbeaten Palmerston North Marist are at also-unbeaten Havelock North Wanderers and Massey University make the long trek to Gisborne Thistle for a Sunday game.
The only home game is at Palmerston North’s Memorial Park, where North End meet Levin after recording their first win of the season last weekend.
Marist have three on the injury list for their clash against Wanderers, who are in third place on the league ladder.
Missing will be Jono Steele, Jamie Lambe and Jaeden Shaw, so it seems the likes of recent signing Anthony Bell, Eli Smith and Fletcher Leslie will enjoy more game time.
Coach Juliano Schmeling says he is aware of the threat Wanderers will pose to Marist’s title hopes, especially through the tall men in the Bay side.
‘‘In training we have also been looking at things like playing the ball out from the back and the decision-making in our finishing.’’
He says the side’s aim is to play a possession-based, organised game – rather like they achieved most of the time in their drubbing of Thistle last weekend.
Wanderers, who have a game in hand, have notched three wins and a draw from their first four outings.
Unbeaten Massey will be missing Dave Mccorkindale and probably Rhys Galyer, one of their leading goalscorers, at Gisborne.
Coach Donald Piper says he expects the students will cop a backlash from the home side after Gisborne’s heavy defeat at Palmerston North last weekend.
‘‘So we’ll be very wary of them. They’ll be a different beast at home, a lot of pride and energy.’’
Piper says his side will be staying in Gisborne overnight on Saturday to give them their best shot for the game.
North End got their campaign on track when they won at
Whanganui Athletic last weekend and will be seeking to maintain the momentum on the wide-open spaces of Memorial Park.
They’ll have Joe Craven back from injury, but goal poacher Nathan Cooksley is injured.
Co-coach Michael Sheridan says they met Levin pre-season so know to expect young, fit and hardworking opposition.
‘‘So we’ll have a focus on putting it to bed before halftime.
‘‘We’ve built up a bit of momentum now we’ve got points on the board, which has given us motivation.’’
But he cautioned: ‘‘They’re a side that keeps on coming at you so they could make life difficult for us.
‘‘We’ve just got to keep at them.’’
In the other game at the weekend, Athletic host second-last New Plymouth Rangers.
Top take on bottom in this weekend’s Horizons Premiership when leaders Feilding United play lastplaced North End reserves.
In the group of three a point behind Feilding on the ladder with three wins apiece, Palmerston North Boys’ High School meet Marist reserves, Takaro play Massey University reserves, who knocked in seven unanswered goals against North End reserves last weekend, and Wanganui City are up against Red Sox.
In the remaining game, Whanganui Athletic reserves host Hokowhitu. Both have had two wins and two draws so far this season.