Soccer: Mason's first task to beat old rivals

New University-Mt Wellington coach Tommy Mason could not have a much tougher introduction to his national league career than the first assignment against old rivals North Shore.

Appointed to take over from Clive Campbell, who was sensationally dumped after leading the club to a record-equalling sixth Chatham Cup triumph last September, Mason puts out a new-look Mount side at Bill McKinlay Park tomorrow afternoon.

Making it even tougher for Mason, five former Mount players have switched camps and will turn out for North Shore in one of the most enduring national league rivalries.

Captain Paul Bunbury has remained loyal to the Bill McKinlay faithful, but has few of his old team-mates around him.

Willie Osborne, one of the better players at Metro last season, where he teamed with Mason, has switched to Uni-Mount, but there remains a question mark over the strength of the team chasing their seventh league title, but their first since 1986.

North Shore have stuck with coach Micky Byrne, who won promotion after success in last year's premier league, and have Kevin Hagan back as his assistant.

Goalkeeper Simon Eaddy is among those to make the cross-town switch and will play a key role at Allen Hill Stadium.

Central United seem the best bet of the four Auckland clubs in the revamped Southern Trust-sponsored league.

Defending champions after last year's dramatic come-from-behind grand final victory over favourites Miramar Rangers, Central have many of last season's squad back as they kick off the season with an away game against Waitakere City today.

New player-coach Michael Ridenton will be coach only for today's first-up meeting at Fred Taylor Park, after being sidelined with a calf strain. He has some interesting new players, including Chilean Aaron Silva, who is back in Auckland after being shoved on to the not-wanted list by the Football Kingz.

Waitakere, last year's pre-season pick, could not have had a tougher start.

Games between them and Central have always been hard-fought, but Waitakere, without veterans Ryan Dawkins (hip injury) and Thomas Edge (unavailable for the first three rounds), will have to be at their very best to test Central.

There will be some interest in the efforts of Steven Turner and James Pritchett, who will play under Ron Armstrong at Waitakere after trials in Britain.

Waitakere's only advantage might be in playing at home.

Tauranga City will not find it easy. They have lost last season's leading goalscorer Dion Bartosh - now in Wellington for business reasons - and might struggle to fill that void.

A first-up trip to play Dunedin Technical gives the Bay of Plenty side the opportunity to ease themselves in.

Technical, again coached by Roger Brooks, have retained many of last season's squad, but still lack the big-name players needed to make an impact.

Miramar Rangers fell only at the last hurdle last year, but have many of those players back to make amends this time.

Coach Stu Jacobs is intent on attack and will put out a three-man strikeforce in their home game with Manawatu United tomorrow if Rupert Ryan is cleared in time.

Manawatu have a young squad - Mark Tesar, at 25, is the oldest. Coach Colin Tuaa will need to get the best from his players if they are to be competitive.

Napier City Rovers, at home to Canterbury United this afternoon, will be the team to beat.

Coach Charlie Howe is back but veteran striker Martin Akers is not.

The team is not short on strikers though - new signings Shane Smeltz and Brad Scott are set to take up those reins.

In defence, All White Jonathan Taylor will lead the way with support from veterans Andy Rennie and Warren Gilbertson and last season's international young player of the year, Peter Howe.

Canterbury United, in for Christchurch City, still have Danny Halligan as coach, but he and his players know there are no easy points in Napier.

The first round draw (with TAB predictions of the likely finishing order in brackets). -

Today: Waitakere City (8th) v Central United (1st), Napier City Rovers (2nd) v Canterbury United (7th).

Tomorrow: Dunedin Technical (9th) v Tauranga City (10th), Miramar Rangers (4th) v Manawatu AFC (6th), University Mt Wellington (5th) v North Shore United (3rd).