NZFC rd 4 preview: Challengers seek to close the gap

This week's NZFC highlights

AUCKLAND - Wednesday, 2 December 2007

  • - The race for the New Zealand Football Championship minor premiership and top four playoffs reaches a pivotal point this weekend as YoungHeart Manawatu and Waitakere United both seek wins to close the gap on Middle East-bound Auckland City. Outsiders, Canterbury United, Otago United and Hawke’s Bay United walk a play-off tight rope as they vie for fourth place – can the chasing pack sustain their challenge?
  • - Second placed YoungHeart Manawatu face a resurgent Canterbury United with both teams vying to establish their play-off spot aspirations. Manawatu have a superior record over the Dragons but Keith Braithwaite’s side have already shown they will be a far different prospect than in seasons past. Manawatu skipper Adam Cowan is in line for his 99th NZFC appearance for the Palmerston North-based club.
  • - Otago United present Waitakere United with a potential ‘banana skin’ fixture when they meet at Carisbrook this weekend. Otago have already held Auckland City to an upset 0-0 draw in Dunedin and will have to perform at the same level if they are to repeat the feat – or better - against Neil Emblen’s team. Waitakere United arrive in the South Island fresh from two hotly contested derbies with Auckland City – a 3-1 loss in the NZFC and a 1-1 draw in the 2010 O-League. Waitakere have only lost once to Otago United but with Malcolm Fleming’s side proving more resilient this season than last, an intriguing match lies in prospect.
  • - Hawke’s Bay United have found defence a primary issue so far with six goals conceded in three matches and they will be put to the test by a Wellington side desperate to score their first goal of the season. The Park Island men have never beaten Team Wellington in a home match but may find encouragement in their opponent’s current plight. Eighth-placed Team Wellington’s season has gone from bad to worse with a three-match losing streak that has seen the capital men sink to the foot of the table. History is very much on Wellington’s side but Hawke’s Bay United’s recent form suggests they can eye this weekend with a degree of confidence.
  • - Auckland City takes a break from NZFC action this weekend as they prepare for the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2009 and a clash with UAE club Al-Ahli on 9 December. Seventh-placed Waikato FC take a break from competitive action this week.

    Visit www.nzfc.co.nz for full coverage

    YoungHeart Manawatu vs Canterbury United

    at Memorial Park, Palmerston North on Sunday 6 December, 2009; Kick-off: 1:00pm

    Referee: M Conger
    Assistant Referee 1: Messrs G Lochrie & Asst Referee 2: S Lount; Fourth Official: C.K. Waugh

    Head to head: Played 14, Manawatu 10 wins, Canterbury 2 wins, 2 draws.

    YoungHeart Manawatu (WLW)

    The players: YoungHeart Manawatu name the same squad that triumphed over Waikato FC two weeks ago.

    The vital statistics: Manawatu has lost to Canterbury just once in the past eleven matches - a 5-1 defeat in Round 21 of the 2007-08 season. The Palmerston North-based club won the other ten.

    Manawatu Squad: 1- Ross Nicholson, 4- Colin Falvey, 6- Matt Kennedy, 7- Jason Thomas, 8- Nathan Cooksley, 9- Seule Soromon, 10- Adam Cowan, 11- Scott Robson, 14- Marco Paracchini, 16- Raffaele de Gregorio, 18- Takauiki Omi, 19- Matt Borren (GK), 20- Jimmy Haidakis, 21- Cory Chettleburgh, 22- Daniel Benson, 23- Campbell Banks.

    Canterbury United (LDW)

    The players: Jordan Swaney is out injured with a leg knock. Chris Sinclair is omitted.

    The vital statistics: Canterbury has beaten Manawatu just twice in NZFC history - both wins came on their travels away in the 2004-05 and 2007-08 seasons.

    Canterbury Squad: 1- Jordan Buchanan (GK), 2- Dan Terris, 3- Jeremy Wild, 4- Gareth Rowe, 5- Matt Boyd, 6- Andy Pitman, 7- Aaron Clapham, 9- Russell Kamo, 11- Tom Lancaster, 12- Nick Wortelboer, 13- Hue Frame, 15- Paul Dirou, 16- Daniel Burns, 17- Glen Collins, 18- Tom Batty, 19- Darren Overton.

    Otago United v Waitakere United

    at Carisbrook, Dunedin on Sunday 6 December, 2009; Kick-off: 2:00pm

    Referee: Mr M Bensichke; Asstnt Referee 1: Messrs C Alexander, Assistant Referee 2: K Evans; Fourth Official: D Langley

    Head to Head: Played 14: Otago 1 win, Waitakere 11 wins, 2 draws.

    Otago United (DLW)

    The players: Michael Abbott is added to the squad in the absence of captain Tim Horner who is away on coaching duty in Singapore. James Reichwin is suspended. The vital statistics: Otago United have just two draws to show in the last ten NZFC meetings with Waitakere United. Otago sole win over the visitors came in 2005 - a 1-0 win.

    Otago Squad: 1- James Waggett (GK), 2- Michael Abbot, 3- Tristan Prattley, 4- Dave Shaw, 5- Chris Jenkinson, 6- Tom Sadd, 7- Robbie Deeley, 8- Stu Kelly, 9- Ryan Faichnie, 10- Dave Dugdale, 11- Andy Coburn, 13- Brian Brown (GK), 14- Dan Ede, 15- Tom Connor, 16- Morgan Day, 18- Nathan Knox.

    Waitakere United (WWL)

    The players: Neil Sykes has a knee injury while Zane Sole is overseas. The vital statistics: Waitakere United start as favourites based on statistics – 11 wins and 2 draws with a solitary defeat recorded four years ago.

    Waitakere Squad: 1- Danny Robinson (GK), 2- Jason Rowley, 3- Aaron Scott, 4- Tim Myers, 8- Brent Fisher, 9- Benjamin Totori, 10- Allan pearce, 12- Roy Krishna, 13- Dimas da Silva, 14- Jeremy Christie, 16- Neil Emblen, 17- Jake Butler, 19- Dakota Lucas, 21- Keegan Linderboom, 22- Liam Little (GK), 26- Jason Hicks.

    Hawke’s Bay United vs Team Wellington

    at Park Island, Napier on Sunday 6 December, 2009; Kick-off: 2:00pm

    Referee: Mr K Stoltenkamp; Assistants Refs: Messrs A Pedley, G Sheehan; Fourth Official: A Riley

    Head to Head: Played 14: Hawke’s Bay United 2 wins, Wellington 8 wins, 4 draw.

    Hawke’s Bay United (LWD)

    The players: Andy Bevin and Magnus Hansson are drafted into the Hawke’s Bay United squad. Joachim Rande faces a late fitness test. Danny Wilson is on standby should Rande be declared unfit. Bill Robertson is absent for the rest of the season with a fractured leg and dislocated ankle. The vital statistics: Hawke’s Bay United’s 5-2 win over Team Wellington last season ended an eleven match winless streak against the visitors that stretches back four years. Team Wellington has never lost an NZFC match away to Hawke’s Bay United with three wins and four draws.

    Bay Squad: 1- Shaun Peta (GK), 2- Sam Halligan, 3- Phil Clarke, 4- Chris Greatholder, 7- Matt Hastings, 8- Leon Birnie, 9- Danny Wilson, 10- Joachim Rande, 11- Andrew Abba, 12- Sam Jacob, 13- Magnus Hansson, 16- Marama Thompson, 17- Georges Barbarouses, 18- Andrew Bevin, 20- Chris McIvor, 21- Stuart Ferguson, 23- Richard Gillespie (GK).

    Team Wellington (LLL)

    The players: Team Wellington name an unchanged squad for this week’s match with two players to be omitted prior to the weekend.

    The vital statistics: Team Wellington have lost three NZFC matches in a row but have never lost away to Hawke’s Bay United. The last encounter was a 2-1 away win recorded in Round 3 last season.

    Wellington Squad: 1- James Bannatyne (GK), 2- Adam Birch, 3- Jamie Duncan, 4- Chris Bale, 5- Michael Winsauer, 6- Chris Davies, 7- Cole Peverley, 9- Greg Draper, 11- Jyler Noviello, 12- Bryan Little, 15- Darren Cheriton, 17- Garry McDermott, 18- Trent Watson, 19- Andy Barron, 20- Richard McLay, 22- Michael Fifii, 23- James McPeake (GK), 26- Roddy Brown – two to be omitted.

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