Seventh-placed Ngongotaha AFC travel to Mangere Utd

GOAL SCORER: Ngongotaha's Jacob Davis celebrates scoring against Claudelands last weekend. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER

After 15 games in Division 2 Ngongotaha AFC sit in seventh place with five wins, five losses and five draws.

Todaythey have an away game against fourth-placed Mangere United.

Coach Shane Davis said it would be a tough away trip - when the sides met in round seven they drew 5-all.

"They've got a striker from Auckland City this year who has been scoring all their goals . . . we'll hopefully close him down and go on attack in the other direction," Davis said.

Last weekend Ngongotaha drew 2-all with Claudelands and Davis was pleased with his side's performance.

"They've just got to carry that on this week, our defence played really well.

"We're hoping for a good defensive effort, then hit the back of the net up the other end and we should be right."

That game was the last for one of the side's top midfielders Alexis Pinto, who has returned to France, so a lot of the focus this week has been on who will take his place in the starting line-up.

"We need to fill that gap, we're juggling players around at the moment."

Davis said his side's record so far summed up their season.

"It's been pretty up and down.

"We'd probably like to achieve another nine points this season, possibly more, to make sure we stay in this division for next year.

"It's been a big experience, the travelling and playing hard teams week in and week out," Davis said.