Rotorua's Kim Maguire playing for Loaded WaiBOP. PHOTO/ GRAEME BLAKE.
Rotorua's Kim Maguire playing for Loaded WaiBOP. PHOTO/ GRAEME BLAKE.
Loaded WaiBOP are back in action this Sunday after the round two bye, with the team set to head south to play Central Football at Palmerston North's Memorial Park.
After a promising start to their campaign with a draw against Capital and a couple more weeks to workwith the team, coach Barry Gardiner is confident of a good performance this weekend.
"We're looking forward to getting back into action after having the bye week," said Gardiner.
"This week we have been focusing on our individual game plan, which we will try to implement against Central, as well as working on our playing style.
"This will be a tough place to go away from home and Central will be smarting after losing their opening two games. That will make them difficult opposition. It will be key that we go into the match with the same attitude and work rate as our first game against Capital.
"If we do this and are composed and purposeful in possession then we will be in with a good chance of a positive result."
Gardiner is looking forward to having Helen Arjomandi, Sarah Krystman and Kate Williams back in contention for the Central game.
"Helen, Sarah and Kate are quality players and this will make selecting the squad difficult. After our solid first up effort, we'll end up having more competition for starting positions as well," said Gardiner.
"As a coach, though, that's what you want. The only disappointing news is around the injuries to Maxine Rawnsley and Hannah Reid who both performed well on their debuts against Capital."
A repeat of the 2015 result would provide an exciting contest. In that match, also played at Memorial Park, WaiBOP were 3-0 up inside 20 minutes thanks to a Tayla Christensen double and a goal from Kate Loye.
Rose Morton pulled a goal back for Central midway through the first half but Loye's second, with five minutes left, ensured WaiBOP headed home with a 4-1 victory in the bank.
In other games on Sunday, Southern United play host to 2015 champions, Northern, on Saturday, while unbeaten Capital travel north on Sunday to play Auckland.
