Football: Ruddell sparks Force

North Force's Murray Wooten sets up for a successful attempt at goal, one of two he scored in his side's 4-nil win over Claudelands Rovers on Sunday. Photo / Supplied

North Force have kicked off their season with a morale boosting, 4-nil, win over Claudelands Rovers.

And the return of prized player Mark Ruddell is a boost to the club's hopes of promotion this year.

Club manager Laurence Berry said, "he's (Ruddell) back on board and we're really trying to keep him now".

Ruddell rejoins the club after a stint with 2014 Northern Region Football League premier grade-winning side Glenfield Rovers.

Ruddell was North Force's player of the day in their win over Claudelands and brings plenty of experience to the pitch.

"He's returned from Glenfield Rovers to help us win," Berry said.

"He really left himself out there on the field on Sunday (and) he knows how to win games and play quality football."

Besides Ruddell, several other North Force players also put their hands up as ones to watch.

Murray Wooten stood out in his side's win, scoring two goals and helping set up one.

"He got the opening goal of the season for North Force," Berry said.

Jeremy Rintoul also had a great outing, scoring two goals.

Sunday's win puts North Force on top of the division two ladder.

And, Berry said, that's where they plan to stay.

"There's lots of young players and heaps of chances for them to make the premier side so we're pretty stoked. We're sitting right where we want to be.

"We have well-seasoned players with a smattering of new players ... we've really got the best players from all around Northland this season."

This season will see North Force play a strong attacking style of football with plenty of goal-scoring talent in the squad, including Scott Burgess, Steve Schimmel, Jason Teal, Wooten, Calvin Erick, Ruddell and Rintoul.

The club had a good pre-season and are setting out to achieve four things which, coach Russell Baddeley said, includes "promotion for the first (premier) team, development of our young players, fielding a competitive reserve team and re-branding North Force."

North Force now have a quick turnaround with two games to be played within four days.

They will face Lynn Avon in Auckland on Friday before playing Fencibles United in Whangarei on April 6.