Waitakere look for happy homecoming

past week has proven tougher than anyone expected for Waitakere United with a loss and a draw against lowly Manawatu and Otago and with it a loss of the lead in the New Zealand Football Championship.

Hence the return home this Saturday for the clash with Hawkes Bay United assumes greater importance as Chris Milicich’s side look to get their season back on an even keel.

It is not as though it is a disaster though, that return of one point in two matches has seen Waitakere slip to the depths of second place on the table, three points behind leaders Auckland City.

Milicich is far from pushing any panic buttons.

“Credit to Otago on Wednesday, they defended superbly well and took their goal well which then put pressure on us to come back, which we did with a well taken goal to Danko (Korprivcic).

“The return home will be a nice one for the players and obviously we must put the past two games behind us and enjoy the comforts of Fred Taylor Park and our supporters.

“Our record this season is such that we are far from a panic situation; we are still one result away from the top of the table. However we must get back to winning ways on Saturday with a busy month in front of us.”

Simon Eaddy returns to the squad after his one match suspension while Commins Menapi is missing, likely to be out for 4 to 5 weeks with a serious groin strain.

Date: Saturday 9th February, 4pm KO

Venue: Fred Taylor Park

Round: Thirteen

Squad of 16 (list in chronological order): 1 Richard Gillespie, 2 Jonathan Perry, 5 Danny Hay, 6 Darren Bazeley, 7 Jason Hayne, 9 Benjamin Totori, 10 Allan Pearce, 11 Neil Sykes, 13 Daniel Koprivcic, 14 Hoani Edwards, 15 Chris Bale, 16 Neil Emblen, 17 Jake Butler, 21 Jason Rowley, 22 Simon Eaddy, 33 Paul Seaman