Soccer: Waitakere have advantage

Allan Pearce. Photo / Sarah Ivey

In their two ASB Premiership away games this season Waitakere United have scored comprehensive wins over Otago United and Waikato FC.

Tomorrow's third trip promises to be tighter with Team Wellington a tougher prospect than their record might suggest.

In their two home games, Wellington, under new coach Matt Calcott, have claimed a win and a draw and on their away at Auckland City they showed some useful signs despite going down 2-0. They did even better last time out in the premiership, losing just 1-0 away to Canterbury.

Team Wellington striker Dakota Lucas is likely to receive special attention from his former Waitakere teammates in the game to be played at David Farrington Park.

In the corresponding fixture last season Waitakere got home 2-1 with Lucas joining Roy Krishna as goalscorers.

More recently, Lucas bagged a hat-trick in last weekend's White Ribbon Cup win over Canterbury United.

Neil Emblen, who has been wearing his other hat as New Zealand under-23 coach at a training camp in Wellington this week, will probably put out the same team who scored a crucial 1-0 win over Mont-Dore in Noumea last weekend.

Waitakere have a big advantage based on previous results - winning 13 of 21 previous encounters with four drawn and four lost although the last four match-ups have been split two each.

Waitakere will be keen to add to the 14 goals they have scored so far. It is the chance for Krishna and last season's golden boot Allan Pearce to add to the three they have netted in the opening four rounds.

Team Wellington have lost a couple of young defenders for tomorrow's game which will make life more difficult.

Nick Branch misses out as he recovers from concussion while James Musa serves a week's suspension after being red-carded in the loss to Canterbury United.

The bottom-of-the-table scrap in Palmerston North promises plenty with Waikato FC heading south in search of their first league win and encouraged by their White Ribbon Cup triumph over Hawkes Bay a week ago.

In their only victory last season, YoungHeart Manawatu beat Waikato FC 5-2.

The South Island derby promises to be close. Separated by two points in third and fourth place, Otago United, with home advantage, have the chance to leapfrog Canterbury United if they secure three points.

This game gives import George Slefendorfas a chance to consolidate his Golden Boot lead.

ASB Premiership

Team Wellington v Waitakere United
David Farrington Park
Tomorrow 2pm

YoungHeart Manawatu v Waikato FC
Memorial Park
Tomorrow 2pm

ASB Youth League Semifinals

Auckland City v Canterbury United
Kiwitea St
Today 1pm

Team Wellington v Waitakere United
David Farrington Park
Tomorrow 4.30pm