Home advantage might be the only thing in their favour but Three Kings United coach Paul Marshall is confident his team can overcome the odds when they line up against East Coast Bays in the key fourth-round Chatham Cup tie at Keith Hay Park this afternoon.
"We will have to
really work for it," said Marshall, who last season took his side all the way to the final, where they went down 2-1 to Wellington Olympic. "My first-choice back four will all be missing either through injury or suspension. That is a massive hurdle."
Captain Joel Mathews and Nick Corliss were sent off in Three Kings' 2-1 home loss to Eastern Suburbs in last Saturday's premier league game and will miss today's tie.
"We lost Nick after just four minutes, so to hold them as we did was a good effort," said Marshall. "But it will need another big one this week.
"Bays are a decent side. We drew 0-0 in our only game this season but away from home they haven't been all that flash. But they are a good team. They wouldn't be where they are if they weren't."
Marshall said he was well aware of their set play ability. They are well-served by captain Leigh Kenyon's delivery and the imposing physical presence Phil Edginton and George Suri bring.
"They have scored a lot of goals and we know the threat they pose."
Three Kings have played all their cup games at home this season, something Marshall feels has contributed to their success.
Former cup-winner Waitakere City face a tough trip to play Bay Olympic at Olympic Park in what promises to be a battle between two teams already assured of top eight finishes in the premier league.
The other two northern games have Forrest Hill Milford at home to Albany this afternoon and Glenfield Rovers having home advantage in tomorrow's clash with fifth-placed first division Birkenhead United.
In the women's Knockout Cup quarter-finals, most interest will centre on the Keith Hay Park tie when Three Kings and premier league leaders Glenfield Rovers line up. Three Kings knocked out nine-time winners Lynn Avon last Sunday while Glenfield beat Waitakere City 3-1 to book their place in the last eight.
In the other northern quarter-finals, Eastern Suburbs are at home to Claudelands Rovers with both teams having comfortable third-round wins to make the eight. Claudelands beat Papamoa 7-2 and Eastern Suburbs were 6-0 winners over Pukekohe.
NORTHERN
CHATHAM CUP, 4TH ROUND
Today (2pm, home team first)
* Bay Olympic v Waitakere City
* Forrest Hill Milford v Albany
* Three Kings United v East Coast Bays
Tomorrow
* Glenfield Rovers v Birkenhead United
WOMEN'S KO CUP QUARTER-FINALS
Today (1pm, home team first)
* Eastern Suburbs v Claudelands Rovers
* Three Kings v Glenfield Rovers
Joel Mathews (left) during a match against Tauranga City United last season. Photo / APN
Home advantage might be the only thing in their favour but Three Kings United coach Paul Marshall is confident his team can overcome the odds when they line up against East Coast Bays in the key fourth-round Chatham Cup tie at Keith Hay Park this afternoon.
"We will have to
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