Football: United step on path to pro future for Adams

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Waitakere United skipper Luke Adams is excited about the start of the ASB Premiership season, but playing domestically is not where he really wants to be.

The 22-year-old centreback spent the past two years playing professionally at Derby County and Wellington Phoenix but after two unsuccessful stints has returned home to Auckland, and now plans to use the national league as a stepping stone back to the big stage.

The new chapter starts today as Waitakere host New Zealand under-20 outfit Wanderers SC in their home opener at Fred Taylor Park.

Adams will form an experienced Waitakere spine this season along with goalkeeper Danny Robinson and former Auckland City duo Chris Bale and Adam Dickinson.

"It's been three years since I last played for Waitakere and a lot has changed," Adams said. "Different coach, different players, in fact I think the only two people that are still here are the manager Graham Routledge and Robbo [Robinson].

"Getting Dicko [Dickinson] and Balo [Bale] across from Auckland has been really big for the club, but we also have a lot of young talent and have recruited well from overseas."

In previous years, Waitakere have succeeded by using a dynamic frontline full of pace and tricks, but this year Adams points to the backline as their key strength.

"With a midfield of Bale, Tom Biss and David Mulligan we also have guys who are very comfortable on the ball and we have pace in behind with guys like Harshae Raniga and George Curry," Adams said.

Adams is just too old to be eligible for Wanderers SC who are preparing for the under-20 World Cup in New Zealand next year, but still has his sights set on a playing professionally.

"I definitely still have that drive to be a pro. I believe if I keep working hard my time will come."

Waitakere are looking to bounce back from a forgettable 2012/13 season where they finished fourth in the league and missed out on qualifying for the O-League for the first time in the history of the competition.

In today's other match, Canterbury host WaiBOP and tomorrow Hawkes Bay travel to Kiwitea St to face Auckland while the Wellington Phoenix Reserves play Team Wellington at David Farrington Park.

Fixtures
Today 14:00 Waitakere United v Wanderers SC, Fred Taylor Park
Today 14:00 Canterbury United v WaiBOP United, ASB Football Park
Tomorrow 14:00 Auckland City v Hawkes Bay United, Kiwitea St
Tomorrow 15:00 Team Wellington v Wellington Phoenix, David Farrington Park