Football: United looking to climb table

Rotorua United are chasing a fourth straight win this weekend. Pictured is United player Shadley Petersen, right. Photo / Stephen Parker

After a slow start, Rotorua United have started to fire in the WaiBOP Premiership and will look to record their fourth straight win this weekend. After winning just one match in their opening six games, United have bounced back by winning their past three outings in the premiership.

United coach Rich Barter said their change in form had not come as a surprise as they had been involved in tight matches all season.

"Collective belief has been key," Barter said. "We were never far away and it was important we didn't hit the panic button.

"Working hard and coming back determined to achieve is what has got this group through a difficult start."

United have only conceded one goal in their past three games, thanks in part to moving one of their strikers back to centre back.

"Edouard [Komon] is as good a striker as you'll see, but he's dropped to centre back and has been phenomenal."

United play Tauranga Old Blues away tomorrow at Wharepai Domain. If United win the match they will leap-frog fifth-placed Old Blues.

Meanwhile, Ngongotaha AFC will play away at bottom-of-the-table Tauranga Boys' College tomorrow.

Ngongotaha are in third spot.

Cambridge lead the competition by seven points, ahead of second-placed Melville.

Premiership table: Cambridge 25, Melville United 18, Ngongotaha 17, Papamoa 16, Tauranga Old Blues 15, Matamata 13, Katikati 13, Rotorua United 12, Waikato Unicol 11, Otumoetai 8, Tauranga City 8, Tauranga Boys' College 4.