By KELLY EXELBY
Central United looms tomorrow as a formidable force but Tauranga City United already have one eye on Monday and the second round of the Chatham Cup.
Tauranga have drawn Waikato premier league side Matamata Swifts, with player/coach Ian Stringfellow saying the banter at training this week was proof his
players were anticipating a fiery challenge at Links Ave.
"It's a good sign and quite clearly a lot of our guys know several of their guys and are looking forward to what should be a good game."
Matamata are coached by former Greerton Rovers defender Duncan Lowry, who has taken goalkeeper Paul Darkes and former Tauranga City United player Ged Parkinson over the Kaimai Ranges with him.
They downed Cambridge 1-0 in the first round of the Chatham Cup two weeks ago and are sitting fourth in the premier league after toppling leaders Otorohanga 3-1.
Tauranga are still languishing at the foot of the Northern premier league after last week's 0-0 draw at Albany, with tomorrow's clash with Central at Kiwitea St a tough assignment as they hunt their second win of the season.
Stringfellow said his players were upbeat heading into the second half of the competition.
"Okay, so we're bottom of the league but it's not time to start panicking because the league is tight and there's six teams above us who we're capable of beating."
Midfielder Jon Allen will miss both games this weekend with a stomach strain, although defender Geoff Rickard is back from overseas and Stringfellow, who has been laid low all week with a virus, is back on his feet.
"The good thing is we're got a strong squad of players who are fit again. We need to turn that into results in these next few games as well as hopefully getting a bit of a run on in the Chatham Cup."
Monday's Chatham Cup second round clash kicks off at 2pm.
