Ngongotaha AFC take on bottom team Papatoetoe

AIRBORNE: Ngongotaha's Harlem Simiona in action against Papatoetoe during a 1-0 loss earlier this season. Ngongotaha will be out for revenge when the sides meet this afternoon. PHOTO/FILE

After a disappointing end to their Chatham Cup run Ngongotaha are hopeful of bouncing back with a third successive Division 2 win.

They couldn't ask for a better opportunity as they take on bottom-of-the-table Papatoetoe tomorrow, although previous experience has taught Ngongotaha to take nothing for granted.

When the sides met in the first round of the competition Ngongotaha were dominant but failed to score a goal and Papatoetoe stole the win with a converted penalty.

Ngongotaha manager Stephen Towers said, despite losing, his side "played Papatoetoe off the park" in their previous meeting and would be out for redemption this weekend.

"We did everything but put the ball in the back of the net - they had two shots, one of which was a penalty, and beat us 2-0.

"It's the only points they've picked up all season.

"All going to plan we shouldn't have any problems with them, but we thought that at the start of the season too, we can't take it for granted," Towers said.

Scoring goals has not been an issue for Ngongotaha in their last two Division 2 outings, picking up 6-2 and 4-2 wins over Onehunga Mangere AFC and Te Atatu AFC respectively.

Towers said the team was looking forward to putting a 12-0 drubbing at the hands of Three Kings United in the Chatham Cup behind them.

"They were pretty embarrassed and they want to make up for that, they want to turn that round and we want to try and emulate the way Three Kings played."

However, they did have injury concerns to deal with.

"We've got a few injuries and lads that can't play this weekend, but we do have a new player who has just signed up with the team.

"His name's George Watson, he's from Rotorua and he will debut in the midfield. He's a good player and a fit lad, so he'll fit straight in," Towers said.

The game, which is being played at Papatoetoe, kicks off at 3pm.