Cyclone Cook cancels out Ngongotaha AFC in Northern League Division Two

Ngongotaha AFC's Alexis Pinto (right) and his side are out of action this Easter weeekend. Photo/Stephen Parker

KEY POINTS:

• Cyclone Cook could be a blessing in disguise for Ngongotaha AFC in the Northern League.

Cyclone Cook may just be a blessing in disguise for Ngongotaha AFC.

The local side were set for a busy Easter weekend - travelling to take on Waiheke United tomorrow followed by a match against Northland FC just 72 hours later, in Northern League Division 2.

But both games have been cancelled - the local side unable to make the ferry crossing from Auckland to Waiheke due to Cyclone Cook sweeping the country and the Northland fixture postponed due to accommodation unavailability for the opposition.

Despite the bare weekend ahead for Ngongotaha, coach Shane Davis said it wasn't too much of a blow after picking up several injuries in the first three games, including midfielder Alan Ferguson and striker Yamil Casas, plus the unavailability of several players over the holiday period.

"We would have been struggling a bit for players because of injuries and other issues so it could play to our advantage. It's likely we would have had to have a change of formation, especially against Waiheke," he said. "Maybe it's a blessing in disguise."

Davis added he will head over to watch his team's next tough opponents - Claudelands Rovers AFC when they play Papakura City at Galloway Park 1 on the weekend.

The Villagers have had a difficult start to life in the Northern League - picking up just one point from their opening three matches, and they suffered a 3-0 loss against Te Atatu AFC in their last fixture.

"As a club we are now looking forward," Davis said. "Everyone is back on board and we will be concentrating on tightening up all over the park. I want to have a look at Claudelands and see their style of play - we want to be ready for them."

Meanwhile, across town, weather permitting, Rotorua United AFC go in hunt of their second win in the Loaded WaiBOP Premiership.

United, in seventh, take on third placed Otumoetai FC at Neil Hunt Park on Saturday in the third round of the competition on the back of a 2-1 win over Tauranga Old Blues Premiership last Saturday.

It's set to be a close contest - Otumoetai unbeaten this season - including a hard fought 2-all draw against Judd Te Awamutu in their previous fixture.

United coach Ian Walker said he was wary of an experienced opposition.

"Otumoetai are always tough - they finished fourth last year and we won and lost a game against them," he said. "Our last result has given us a boost and it was good for the team but we now have to look at the next game.

"It will be a very hard game - Otumoetai are very strong in defence and midfield so we have to win the battles there. They have a very senior squad so everyone here has to step up."

Northern League, Division Two fixtures:
*All fixtures subject to change due to weather

Friday, kick-off 3pm

Albany Utd v Mangere Utd, QBE Stadium 4 FT.
Claudelands Rovers v Papakura City, Galloway Park 1.
Onehunga Mangere v Northland FC, Mangere Domain 1.
Papatoetoe AFC v Fencibles Utd, Murdoch Park 1.
Te Atatu AFC v Takapuna AFC, Te Atatu Peninsula Park 1.
Waiheke Utd AFC v Ngongotaha AFC, Onetangi Sports Complex 2, kick-0ff 2.45pm (match postponed).

Monday, kick-off 3pm
Mangere Utd v Waiheke Utd AFC, Centre Park 1.
Claudelands Rovers v Papatoetoe AFC, Galloway Park 1.
Papakura City v Te Atatu AFC, McLennan Park 1.
Fencibles Utd v Onehunga Mangere, Riverhills Park 1.
Takapuna AFC v Albany Utd, Taharoto Park 1.
Ngongotaha AFC v Northland FC, Neil Hunt Park, Kick-off 2.45pm (match postponed).

Loaded WaiBOP Championship fixtures:

Saturday, kick-off 2.45pm

Rotorua United AFC v Otumoetai FC, Neil Hunt Park 1.
Papamoa Football Club v Taupo AFC, Gordon Spratt Park 6.
Waikato Unicol Premiers v Tauranga Old Blues, Jansen Park 1.
Matamata Swifts v West Hamilton United, Matamata Dom 1.
Tauranga Boys' College 1st XI v Melville, Southey 1.
Edmonds Judd Te Awamutu v Cambridge FC, The Stadium.