Football: Leaders Ngongotaha look to stretch flawless run

Ngongotaha's Alan Ferguson, left and Josh Haua, right look to help their side remain unbeaten in the WaiBOP Premiership tomorrow.

Ngongotaha AFC are in search of their ninth win in a row when they take on Waikato Unicol AFC.

The unbeaten side in the WaiBOP Premiership top the table on 24 points - five points clear of nearest rivals Melville United with two games in hand.

Ngongotaha are full of confidence going into tomorrow's match after beating fourth-placed Cambridge FC 2-0 at home last Saturday.

But captain Dave Haua is taking nothing for granted as the club has the painful memory of missing out on promotion by a single point last season.

"It was heart-breaking to be so close last year and so our aim was always to finish top of the table and make amends," he said. "We have the same squad as last season but importantly more experience. And I have already seen that make a difference. To reach our aim we have to take each game as it comes and each three points is a milestone closer to the big goal."

Ngongotaha have the best defensive and attacking records in the premiership - conceding only five goals whilst scoring 45.

Waikato Unicol AFC are 11 points behind the leaders with three wins, three loses and four draws to their name.

But they do go into the game on the back of a 1-0 hard-fought win over Katikati FC Ambria last Saturday.

"We won't take any game as a given win, even though we are flying right now. Our head is on the line so it's us that has everything to lose," said Haua.

"Waikato will raise their game I'm sure and we have to be prepared for that."

Elsewhere, sixth-placed Rotorua United will look to get their first win in five games as they take on ninth-placed Old Blues away.

Tomorrow's draw:

WaiBOP Premiership (kick-off 2.45pm)

Waikato Unicol AFC Prem v Ngongotaha AFC, Old Blues Prem v Rotorua United, Wharepai Domain 1; SGS Papamoa Premiership v Otumoetai FC First Credit Union, Gordon Spratt Park 6; Melville United Prem v Tauranga Boys' College 1st XI, Gower Park 5; Cambridge FC Prem v Matamata Swifts Prem, John Kerkhof Park 1; Tauranga City Premiership v Katikati FC Ambria Premiership, Links Ave 1.

WaiBOP Championship (kick-off 12.30)

Waikato Unicol AFC Reserves v Ngongotaha Champ, Waikato Uni 2; Cambridge FC Champ v Matamata Swifts Reserve, John Kerkhof Park 2; Old Blues Champ v Hamilton Wanderers Champ, Wharepai Domain 1; Taupo AFC Champ v Tokoroa AFC Champ, Crown Park 1; Whakatane Town Champ v Te Awamutu Edmond Judd Champ, Rex Morpeth Park 1; West Hamilton Champ v Otumoetai FC Mens, Weka St 1.