North Force are preparing for their biggest challenge of the season when Matamata Swifts visit Kamo Sportspark tomorrow.
Both teams are locked together on six points near the bottom of the table and North Force player-coach Scott Burgess said they must make the most of their opportunity against their fellow strugglersat home.
"Both teams are desperate to move away from the bottom of the table and it won't be easy.
"We're hoping that the home advantage will help us pick up the points," he said.
Burgess hopes the team can continue on with the form they showed against Birkenhead last weekend, where a 10-man North Force led for most of the game before losing the game in the dying moments.
"We'll have the same side available except for Cody Lacour of course, who has a one week stand down after his red card," Burgess said.
The bench will also be bolstered by their pick of the reserve team - who don't have a game because Matamata don't play in the reserve competition.
Burgess hasn't heard much about Matamata this season. Last year they were known for their physical approach to the game and for playing direct football and the defence will have to be strong if they want to win.
"The plan is to not concede early and keep our defence tight. We're going to have get up there and compete with them in the air but if we do that well then I'm hoping we'll outlast them."
It is the furthest away match in the Northern First Division and Burgess said the long drive might help North Force towards the end of the game.
Like North Force, Matamata are a young team who have run many of the better sides in the league close.
The game kicks off at Kamo at 2.45pm and the curtain raiser is the Northland Premier League derby match between Kamo and Tikipunga.
The pressure is on second-placed Tikipunga to halt Kamo's march towards the title byreducing their lead. Kamo lead by five and another win will put them in the box seat for the crown.
