Football: Whanganui Athletic continue push for podium finish

GJ Gardner Homes Whanganui Athletic take on rivals New Plymouth Rangers this week, featuring Athletic staple Scott Burney. Photo / Lewis Gardner

GJ Gardner Homes Whanganui Athletic coach Tex Von Kwiatkowski has unfinished business he means complete today when his side takes on Peggy Gordon's New Plymouth Rangers.

Athletic fell at the final hurdle when they were beaten by Rangers for the Lotto Central Federation League title last season.

Kwiatkowski is still mystified by last season's loss in the final, although concedes Athletic did play 60 per cent of the match with just 10 men.

In his mind, Rangers are totally beatable as the Whanganui side did narrowly (2-1) in round one this year.

"I think we are pretty close to being back in last season's form where we very nearly won every game," Kwiatkowski said.

"We were missing several key players at the start of this season, but we have Will King back from injury now and Sharn Stuart has returned from the US. They have made a huge difference, although in the last few games we played with just one healthy player on the bench.

"We also now have a prospect step up from our reserves team. Cade Knight is only 16, but already is beginning to find his feet at this level. We are also actively trying to lure key players from other centres with promises of jobs and accommodation where possible.

"That aside, the team appears to have its confidence back and with the right attitude this weekend we can complete that unfinished business against Rangers," Kwiatkowski said.

Athletic currently sit equal fourth on the table with Massey University on 23 points, behind leaders Havelock North on 31, PN Marist on 28 and Gisborne Thistle on 24.

They go into today's match off the back of a 5-2 win over North End last weekend.

Meanwhile, the GJ Gardner Homes Whanganui Athletic Reserves languish at the bottom of the Yorb Horizons Premiership table. Athletic's latest loss was a 4-0 drubbing by Hokowhitu last weekend and it gets no easier today when they come up against second-placed PNBHS First X1 at Wembley Park.

Versatile Wanganui City, on the other hand, are poised to strike, sitting equal third on the table alongside Hokowhitu on 26 points.

City play away against PN Marist today, hard on the heels of a 5-2 thumping of bottom of the table Breakers last weekend.

City are the defending champions.