We have a quick turnaround as we prepare for a vital ASB Premiership trip to face Waitakere United, a perennial power-house and serial championship winner.
The lads have been quick to get over the disappointment of Wednesday’s home defeat by leaders Auckland City. We’re realistic enough to know that it’s the games against the likes of Waitakere, along with the encounters to follow, that will determine our play-off fate.
Head coach, Peter Smith, had his side back in to training on the night after the Auckland game to prepare for the trip to Fred Taylor Park. “Yeah, we had the lads in and we addressed a few things from the Auckland game and now we look ahead,” he said. “The match at Waitakere will be huge for both teams as three points for either of us will go a long, long way to helping secure that all important play-off spot.”
Asked whether the mid-week match will have affected his preparation, Smith didn’t seem overly concerned. “Nah, it’s about playing football. The lads are fit and strong and we’ll be ready to go,” he said. “I’ll be asking them to put in the same sort of effort they do every week and the incentive is certainly there, so we’ll be fine.”
We haven’t beaten Waitakere United in the ASB Premiership yet. The game at Fred Taylor Park last season finished 3-0 to the West Aucklanders, while the last two encounters have been drawn 1-1.
The match kicks off at Fred Taylor Park, Whenuapai, at 2pm on Saturday February 21.
