Wanganui City will have to bounce back to their best to take on Federation League leaders Palmerston North Marist at Wembley Park today, after falling short last Saturday 3-1 at home to Taradale FC.
Marist are runaway leaders and will be looking to fine-tune tactics in round three as they move towards Central play-offs, barring any restrictions being imposed by the powers that be reminiscent of the embargoes placed on last year's winners City.
While PN Marist have two victories from each previous encounter with Wanganui thus far in 2013, little has separated the two teams, with Marist making the most of today's hosts having had a player dismissed each time.
Barring any more indiscretions, City can push for a morale-boosting home win with the knowledge that if the teams stay numerically equal they have the manpower to hand the visitors, maybe, only their second loss of the year.
Ground conditions will be a major factor, with inclement weather taking its toll on a resilient Wembley Park No1 surface.