Soccer: Uphill battle for Ranges men

In four clashes with cross-town rivals Auckland City, Waitakere United have finished second. Sunday's first meeting in this year's championship shapes as being no different.

United have home advantage at Trusts Stadium but that might not be enough to get them across the line in the replay of last year's final.

Even before a ball was kicked this season, the West Aucklanders were on the back foot with South African striker Keryn Jordan switching camps after apparently initially agreeing to a second season with United.

Kris Bright was then seen as the likely target-man in the Waitakere attack. After one game he was gone, off to find fame and fortune with the New Zealand Knights. Later attempts to get Jeremy Christie back from the Knights, where he was seeing little game time, were stymied when the Knights signed him to a full contract for the remainder of the season.

Pablo Cardozo was heralded as a key signing from across the Tasman but missed early action through injury.

Fellow Sydneysider Shannon Cole showed plenty in his first couple of outings but has spent the past five weeks on the injured list and, like injured defender Sean Douglas, will not be back until after Christmas.

They are set to be joined by former United midfielder/striker Stu Hogg, who is poised to rejoin the club in next month's transfer window after switching to Waikato FC in the off-season.

The problems have been further compounded with Cardozo being sent off for a second bookable offence - a hand of God effort against Canterbury United on Sunday - and will sit out this week's action.

"Nothing has gone our way," admitted coach Steve Cain. "But you have to hope over a season things will balance out. We knew it was always going to be hard with six of our first nine games away from home.

"We always felt if we could stay within a couple of games of the leaders we would still be in with a chance after the break."

Cain is under no illusions that it will not be easy to snap his team's losing streak against the current champions.

"They have two strikers [Grant Young and Jordan] who can hurt anyone," said Cain. "Of these, Young is the danger man. They play to an established pattern and are always difficult to beat."

On a positive note, United defender George Suri, back from injury, has picked up man of the match awards in his last two outings. Cain is confident Suri can continue that good form in this key battle.

Most other interest will centre on The Arena in Palmerston North where YoungHeart Manawatu battle Otago United who travel north one place, and three points, behind Manawatu in third place.

Manawatu have won their last four games 2-1 and go into Sunday's game having conceded just six goals.

Canterbury United will be without goalkeeper James Bannatyne for their away game against Waikato FC after he was sent off last weekend. His place is taken by Simon Roberts.

Team Wellington, who promised so much against Auckland City at Kiwitea St last Saturday before coming up empty, should win their home game against Hawkes Bay United.

All seventh-round games will be played on Sunday.