Force's fresh legs in defensive mode for opening game

They may have a disrupted build-up but Northern League club North Force are still expecting to get something from their opening match against Papatoetoe tomorrow.
The team's new coach Scott Burgess is opting for a cautious approach to their first away match.
"Playing away in the first game of the season, I'm hopeful that we'll pick up a win but I'll be happy enough if we get a point," he said.
The side's pre-season build-up was disrupted when Burgess was forced to step in to take over from last year's coach Bruce Plunkett, who moved overseas at short notice. The club has had a couple of friendly matches against Tikipunga and a 1-3 loss to premier league side Onehunga Sports but Burgess is hoping the lack of match practice may not harm their start to the season.
"We could have done with another pre-season match or two but the bonus is we haven't had any injuries and the boys are all fresh so maybe that's been a good thing for us," Burgess said.
Papatoetoe won't be an easy starting fixture. They were in the Northern Premier League last season but finished in the lower half and had to play for their place this year in the playoffs.
They met North Force during that series and the two teams drew 2-2 with both sides qualifying for the first division.
Burgess intends to start with a defensive 4-5-1 formation, playing with only one striker in an attempt to strangle Papatoetoe's possession and maybe grab a breakaway goal.
"If it doesn't work we can very easily change it to a 4-4-2 and Steve Schimmel or myself will probably push up and we'll see if that's any better," he said.
The reserves also start their season this weekend against Papatoetoe and for most of them the season is all about getting used to playing senior football. The team is very much a development side, with most of the players from last year's under-17 squad.
"For a lot of them it will be their first year of senior football, so Saturday will be a taste for them of how to play against adults - at least there's no pressure on them - any points they get will be a real bonus," Burgess said.
Team selection: 1 Leon Taylor, 2 Jeremy Rintoul, 3 Dominic Fromont 4 Aaron Taylor, 5 Kyle Cook, 6 Cody Lacour, 7 Daniel Lavalle, 8 Scott Burgess, 9 Steve Schimmel, 10 Connor Brown/ Daniel Ridgely, 11 Charlie Lacour. Subs: Calvin Erick, Sam Rout and Brown or Ridgely.