Do or die for Rotorua United women

Rotorua United Women will welcome back Maddi Ollington (left) for their second leg play-off against Norhtland FC.

Football
History suggests there could be a goal feast at Neil Hunt Park tomorrow.Equally, it could be a frustrating game, with the visitors spending the whole game defending their goal.

Rotorua United's women' s team entertain Northland FC in the second leg of a playoff to decide which team will be offered a place in the Northern Women's League next season.

Both teams scored more than 70 goals in winning their respective leagues and the first leg last Sunday saw nine goals scored. But at 6-3 down from that game, on the face of it, Rotorua are up against it.

''We will focus on wining the game,'' said Rotorua coach Ron Cane. ''Strange things can happen in football and they scored six at their place, so why can't we score six at our place?''

Fatigue was a major factor in the first leg, with Northland running away with the game in the final quarter. Cane is blunt about the reasons.

''The score did flatter them a little bit. We were just knackered at the end.''

''We created some great chances, but lacking that sharpness of match play, we just couldn't finish them. But there's no reason why we can't create the same chances.''

Battered and bruised after last week's encounter, the roll call at training on Wednesday was encouraging for Cane.

''Those who were injured said 'we'll be there ', which is great. They have been very unified and I just hope they can last the game.''

While Northland, understandably, are likely to look to defend their lead, for Cane's team, attack is the only logical approach.

Back in the fold will be Maddi Ollington, who has been overseas, with Cane planning on a trio of attacking players.

''I am going to change the system and go with three up front. There's no point in us defending - we've got to go for it and give ourselves every chance.''

Ollington and Annaliese Heuvel will be joined up front by skipper Kim Maguire, who has had a midfield role in recent games.

The game will be Rotorua's last of the season, it's at home and the team is buzzing with the news that Maguire was named WaiBOP Women' Premiership player of the year earlier in the week.

These could just be the factors that make the improbable possible.

The game kicks off at noon tomorrow. Should the overall tie be all square at the end of 90 minutes, away goals will come into play.

Lotto NRFL playoff series fixtures

Sunday, September 18
Northland Football Club 6 Rotorua United 3 (1st leg, Whangarei.)

Sunday, September 25
Rotorua United v Northland Football Club, Neil Hunt Park, Rotorua, Kick-off 12pm.
*Rotorua United officially presented with the WaiBOP Premier League Division 1 Trophy after match.