Rodwell Tembo (missing last week) is a lively striker who is unafraid to take on defences, he just requires some more support play around him. Midfielders Lee Ndlove and Kelvin Hove are honest toilers whom put in a fair shift each week.
And young goalkeeper Luis Bergman is on the improve, and considering it is his first season at Western Premiership level, he seems to be growing in confidence, communicating with the players around him.
All McGuiness needs now, and hopefully this afternoon, is for all these players to gel for the match and put pressure on a young side who themselves have been struggling to find the back of the net in league matches.
For Athletic, the concern is finishing off the scoring chances that arrive with more confidence. If they can bag that elusive first goal, it could be an enjoyable afternoon.
For HRT Builders Wanganui City, Cup football is still having an effect on their continuity in the league with their scheduled opponents, Feilding United, off to play the second round of the Federation Cup today.
With a semifinal berth up for grabs against Rimu Power Rangers (NP), Feilding will play a catch-up fixture against City in late July, the locals spectators today with the postponement.
It will be hard work for City Reserves today in Western Division 1 action with an away match against table-topping Redsox A's over at Skoglund Park. City will be wanting to put last week's 2-1 loss (Levin AFC) behind them and look to improve on their current sixth place in the league standings. It's a far cry from last season when it was City in the box seat and the only side to beat the Manawatu-based side twice.
The Local Men's competition tosses up at least two games worth a look in the top six/bottom six split.
The ever-improving Castlecliff United could provide some stiff opposition for Athletic Cosmos, the latter coming off an impressive 4-0 win over City Development last week after falling to the same side in round one.
The Development side are themselves looking to overcome a side they have never beaten, Marist Celtic. Last season's champions Celtic are looking to keep their record against the youngsters from City going and keep pressure on the leaders after a minor slip-up against Collegiate 1st X1 last weekend (3-3).
The women continue their Senior Cup action today as well with Athletic Women taking on Rivercity Scrappers and then Barritt Builders City Women up against clubmates City Women.