Ngongotaha look to shake 'bogey' team

Sean Kim (left) with teammates Josh O'Sullivan and Harlem Simiona hope Ngongotaha AFC will be the winning side today when they take on Matamata Swifts.

Ngongotaha AFC will aim to remain at the top of the league and unbeaten in the competition when the team travel to play Matamata Swifts.

The in-form side have won all of their seven games so far in the WaiBOP Premiership, topping the table on 21 points - five points ahead of today's opponents with a game in hand.

And Ngongotaha go into the match on the back of a colossal 19-0 victory over Tauranga City last Saturday.

However coach Shane Davis has warned that Matamata are a "bogey team" as Ngongotaha have failed to win at their ground in the last three seasons.

"Of course we would love a win but we just seem to struggle against them," he said.
"It's very odd because we can beat them well at our ground but as soon as we go there, we just can't seal a win.

"I think it's because their field isn't as wide as ours, so we can't play to our strengths out wide and they can be very defensive.

"We do have a stronger side but we always find it hard to play them. Hopefully this time round we can grab a couple of early goals and push on from there."

So far this season Ngongotaha have scored an impressive 43 goals in total - the best in the division.

And they have the joint best defensive record with Cambridge FC after conceding only five goals.

"I think our power up front could be the edge against Matamata," said Davis.

"We do struggle on their pitch but this season we are really gelling on and off the pitch so finally I think we can get that win.

"Every game is crucial for us now if we want to stay on top."

Ngongotaha will be strengthened by the return of centre-back Eamon O'Donaghue and Cuban midfielder Yamile Cassas however Josh Haua, brother of captain Dave Haua, is still out due to injury.

Matamata Swifts go into the game looking for a result after a 4-0 defeat to Otumoetai FC First Credit Union.

Davis does not believe the outcome of today's game will define Ngongotaha's season but is targeting Cambridge FC as the "real threats" in the title race.

Cambridge are currently in third place in the table on 15 points, but have a game in hand.
"This is a very long competition so even if we didn't get the result we wanted it won't knock us off track for the title," he said.

"Matamata are a difficult side and they will be up there come crunch time in the season, but the really dangerous team is Cambridge.

"I know they are also targeting top spot so we have to make sure we use the early advantage we have.

"The atmosphere in the team camp is very positive at the moment. We are just going to get our heads down and keep playing the attractive style of football that has been winning us games."

Meanwhile fourth-placed Rotorua United will travel to play Waikato Unicol AFC who are seventh and out to bounce back from their three recent defeats.

Today's draw:

WaiBOP Premiership
(kick-off 2.45pm)
Matamata Swifts Prem v Ngongotaha AFC, Matamata Dom 1
SGS Papamoa Premiership v Tauranga Boys' College 1st XI, Gordan Spratt Park 6
Cambridge FC v Otumoetai FC First Credit Union, John Kerkhof, Park 1
Tauranga City Premiership v Melville United Prem, Links Ave 1
Waikato Unicol AFC Prem v Rotorua United, Waikato Uni 1
Old Blues Prem v Katikati FC Ambria Premiership, Wharepai Domain 1

WaiBOP Championship
(kick-off 12.30)
Matamata Swifts Reserve v Ngongotaha Champ, Matamata Dom 1
Cambridge FC Champ v Otumoetai FC Mens, John Kerkhof Park 2
Waikato Unicol AFC Reserves v Hamilton Wanderers Champ, Waikato Uni 2
Old Blues Champ v Tokoroa AFC Champ, Wharepai Domain 1
Taupo AFC Champ v Whakatane Town Champ, Crown Park 1
West Hamilton Champ v Te Awamutu Edmond Judd Champ , Weka St 1