Waitakere look to avenge earlier loss

Waitakere United heads to Palmerston North to take on YoungHeart Manawatu in the NZFC this weekend, intent on maintaining their top of the table position but also with a view to a little revenge.



It was a similar scenario earlier in the season when Waitakere traveled to play Manawatu a week after defeating Auckland City, only to have Simon Eaddy sent off and the match lost 3-2.



Head Coach Chris Milicich is adamant his players will be focused on avoiding a repeat of that situation.



“It is critical now that we maintain our standards over the final three games of the round robin. Last week was a huge effort and great performance in patches but that was last week, anything less than three points on Sunday will undo all the hard work we have done to get to where we are now.



“Manawatu are no push over and we only need go back to our most recent visit here for a reminder. This week I am emphasising that personal responsibility to maintain concentration and standards throughout the 90 minutes.”



The only change to the side sees Neil Sykes sit the game out through suspension after picking up another yellow card in the win over Auckland; he is replaced by the experienced defender Graham Pearce.





YoungHeart Manawatu v Waitakere United

Date: Sunday 23rd March, 4pm KO

Venue: Memorial Park, Palmerston North

Round: Nineteen



Last five results: W W W W W

Last round result: Waitakere United 1, Auckland City 0

Position on table: 1st



Squad of 16 (list in chronological order): 1 Richard Gillespie, 2 Jonathan Perry, 5 Danny Hay, 6 Darren Bazeley, 7 Jason Hayne, 8 Commins Menapi, 9 Benjamin Totori, 10 Allan Pearce, 12 Roy Krishna, 13 Daniel Koprivcic, 15 Chris Bale, 16 Neil Emblen, 17 Jake Butler, 21 Graham Pearce, 22 Simon Eaddy, 33 Paul Seaman,