Football: Force revive promotion push

North Force reserves Kyle Levell (centre) and Josh Apeldoorn (right). Photo / Sharon Teh

A dazzling display of attacking football deepened the wound inflicted by North Force in their 5-3 win over Oratia United.

Coming off three back-to-back losses in their recent Lotto NRFL 2015 Division two matches, the northern side knew they had to pull their socks up in order to keep their hopes of promotion alive.

Earlier in the week, North Force captain Scott Burgess said his team needed to lift their game if they were to start playing proper football again.

After turning to the drawing board to decipher the team's winning-lapse, a lift in the combined mental effort of the team was apparent.

"[We've] put it down to a lack of intensity," Burgess said.

"We need individuals to go out there and step up."

Back from injury, and leading from the front, Burgess helped his side hone in on their desire to win as they dealt to Oratia.

With injury clouds hanging over the side in recent weeks, the dull weather parted at the Whangarei FC ground.

With dismal conditions playing a part in several of their recent matches, decent weather was a welcome change.

The sun shone upon the second half of the match, also adding a golden tinge to North Force's hopes of a golden ticket to promotion.

Strong performances from Steve Schimmel, Murray Wootten and Scott Burgess helped keep the velocity of their attack on song.

Now North Force need to cement their status as serious contenders for promotion.

But the golden ticket to Division One won't come unless they can continue to raise and maintain their level of intensity and composure during key phases.

Whether they can continue down the winning path will be seen this coming weekend when they travel to Auckland to play Te Atatu AFC.

Results:

North Force 5 Oratia United 3

North Force Reserves 4 Oratia United Reserves 1