YoungHeart counting on leaks

WARWICK SMITH/The Manawatu Standard

ON THE RUN: YoungHeart Manawatu midfielder Corey Chettleburgh in action last week against Waitakere United.

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Youngheart Manawatu will be hoping Waikato FC's defensive frailties continue when they meet at Centennial Park in Ngaruawahia tomorrow.

Waikato have let in nine goals in three outings this season, including five to Auckland City in the opening game.

YoungHeart Manawatu coach Bob Sova played down Waikato's issues across the back and said they were a tough opponent.

"On paper their defence looks leaky but their ground is quite a small ground. If you look at their form on their home ground they get some good results but are poor away from home," he said.

YoungHeart banged in four goals on opening day when they brushed Team Wellington aside 4-0 but struggled at home last week when they lost 1-0 to Waitakere United.

Waikato are no slouches on defence with former All White Che Bunce leading the side, Englishman Jason Chewins at left back, tall centre back Richard Beard and David Samson, who has played more than 50 games for Waikato, at right back.

With Ngaruawahia's narrow pitch, most attacking will be done through the centre of the park so golden boot leader Seule Soromon will need good service.

Sova said he had confidence in his strike force doing the business tomorrow.

"He [Soromon] has been looking pretty good at training so if we can get some good ball to Campbell Banks and good lay-offs to Seule I think we'll cause them problems."

YoungHeart have their own problems to navigate just to get to the ground.

They are being forced to fly into Auckland on Sunday morning instead of Hamilton and have to take two minivans instead of a team bus.

Sova said it wasn't an ideal spot but the team would have to deal with it as best they could.

Waikato FC's form has been up and down this season and player-coach Bunce said they are aiming to become more consistent.

"We struggle away from home. That's been the biggest problem for us," he said.

"We are lacking a bit of consistency you could say."

The former New Zealand Knights defender said marking Soromon would be a tough ask.

"He's pretty potent isn't he?

"I played alongside him at Hawke's Bay so I know what he can do. He's lively."

Bunce said Youngheart represented a challenge for his side despite their record of a win and a loss this year.

"On paper they've got a very strong side and I'll be surprised if they're not knocking on the top two or top four this season."

Kick-off is at 2pm, while in other action Canterbury host Hawke's Bay, Otago travel to Wellington and Auckland are at home to Waitakere.

YoungHeart Manawatu: (from) Ross Nicholson, Nobuyoshi Ishi, Colin Falvey, Matt Kennedy, James Thomas, Nathan Cooksley, Seule Soromon, Adam Cowan, Scott Robson, Marco Paracchini, Takayuki Omi, Matt Borren, Jimmy Haidakis, Cory Chettleburgh, Daniel Benson, Campbell Banks.

Waikato FC: (from) Sean Dowling, Che Bunce, Richard Beard, Charlie Hoyle, Joe Simpkins, Jason Chewins, David Samson, Mikael Munday, Sam Wilkinson, Shaun Van Rooyen (captain), Dan Peat, Paul Stewart, Corey Hitchens, Alex Barlow, Maurie Wasi, Scott Robinson.

- © Fairfax NZ News