Impressive Taylor helps spirited North Force prove a point against Birkenhead

North Force showed defiance to twice came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw against Birkenhead in their opening Northern League fixture of the season.
Several fine saves by goalkeeper Leon Taylor kept North Force in the game after a fast and skilful Birkenhead threatened to over-run them in the opening 20 minutes at Tikipunga Park on Saturday.
North Force conceded a goal mid-way through the spell and were lucky not to concede again as Birkenhead peppered the goal for the remainder of the spell and at the beginning of the second half.
In a rare attacking movement in the 50th minute North Force equalised. A great cross by Cody Lacour found his brother Charlton in space on the right flank and he cut back in to slot the ball past the keeper to give his side and the early season supporters some hope.
The goal opened the game up but it was still the visitors that looked the more likely.
They hit the cross bar in the 60th minute and drew another fine Taylor save before  retaking the lead in the 71st minute with a second goal to the talented Brian Radebe.
Three minutes later Scott Burgess was taken down on the edge of the area. Jeremy Rintoul squeezed a good free kick past the wall and the Birkenhead keeper parried the shot onto the post to gift Danny Lavelle another equaliser.
The final 15 minutes was  played at breakneck speed but both teams were denied a winner by determined defence.
Coach Bruce Plunkett was happy with the team's start to the season after admitting he thought a defeat was on the cards for most of the match.
"I think we stole a point there today, it was a case of not being allowed to play out there today, Birkenhead were a good side, in fact I think they'll be one of the better sides in the league, they're young, very fit and pretty talented," he said.
"But we kept fighting back and showed a fair bit of heart out there so I'm pretty happy with the result - a point was a lot better than losing and we've got our keeper to thank for it, he was fantastic out there today."
Plunkett said a big change in personnel over the off-season combined with injuries to two of their better players, Steve Schimmel and Mark Ruddell, meant many of the new players were struggling to adjust to the pace on the game on Saturday.
North Force started with just three players from last year's team on the pitch, while the Birkenhead side contained four or five players in the New Zealand under-17 squad. Their speed and ball control was far superior to what many of the North Force players - many of whom played in the Northland Premier League last year - were used to.
One of the new players, Tomas Taylor, was exceptional, partnering the ever present Aaron Taylor in middle of the defence, while hardworking Burgess  directed the midfield.