Ngongotaha taking on premiers in Chatham Cup

Ngongotaha AFC players will be hoping for further reason to celebrate when they take on Three Kings United in the third round of the Chatham Cup. PHOTO/FILE

After being knocked out at the same stage last year Ngongotaha AFC are looking to go one better when they take on Three Kings United in the third round of the Chatham Cup.Despite comfortably beating Beachlands Maraetai 5-1 in the second round, victory today won't come easy against a side who play in the premier division of the Northern Region Football League.

Ngongotaha coach Shane Davis said coming up against a team who played two divisions higher than themselves would be a valuable experience for his team.

"It's really good, they'll be pushed right to the limit which helps them find out where they are lacking.

"On paper Three Kings should take it out but in a Chatham Cup game anything can happen and our players should be up for it.

"The only difference between the two levels is the speed of the game is a bit quicker and their match fitness will probably be superior.

"We've tried different things during the week to speed our game up," said Davis.

Ngongotaha's preparations had not been ideal with players out with injury and wet weather disrupting trainings.

"We've still got three or four out but we've actually got a lot more depth than we've had in past years.

"I can rely on a lot of the younger ones and they actually do a great job.

"It's really up to each individual to come out with the right mental attitude.

"They're fully capable of taking points off any team," he said.

• In the WaiBOP Premiership, Rotorua Utd will play Tauranga Old Blues in Tauranga. Rotorua sit ninth on the table with four wins and a draw from 10 games. Tauranga are second with seven wins from 11 games.