Waitakere give youngsters chance to perform

Waitakere United Head Coach Chris Milicich has included a number of youngsters from his squad in the 16 to face Canterbury United at North Harbour Stadium on Saturday.



In the absence of Neil Emblen, Hoani Edwards, Paul Seaman and Danny Hay for a variety of reasons, Milicich has chosen to put his faith in a number of up and coming players at the club.



“We have nine players missing for various reasons but that is life in any football championship. At this time of the year you can be expected to face a number of injury and suspension issues, there is no point in complaining about it, that’s the situation we have to deal with. The young players we have introduced are all their on merit and will have jobs to do and every expectation that they can do them.”



Waitakere will this weekend miss Paul Seaman and Hoani Edwards in midfield, both through suspension while Neil Emblen (unavailable) and Danny Hay (injured) are also off the team list. In come youngsters Matt Wallace, Tim Myers, Denver MacDonald and Scott Woodford.



Milicich has no doubt that the players are up to the task, either off the bench or in the starting eleven.



“To win a championship is a test of your depth and the ability of players coming in at times like this. We have good young players at the club and I have every faith in their ability to step up when required.”



Squad of 16 (list in chronological order): 1 Richard Gillespie, 2 Jonathan Perry, 6 Darren Bazeley, 8 Commins Menapi, 10 Allan Pearce, 11 Neil Sykes, 13 Daniel Koprivcic, 15 Chris Bale, 17 Jake Butler, 22 Simon Eaddy, 29 Denver MacDonald, 24 Tim Myers, 25 Scott Woodford, 32 Matt Wallace 



Waitakere United v Canterbury United

North Harbour Stadium Outer Oval

Saturday 8th March

4pm KO



Curtain Raiser

National Youth League

Waitakere United v Waikato FC

Outer Oval

1pm KO