Soccer: Home team are game favourites

North Force sit third on the table and have their last home game until July 12 tomorrow in Kamo. Pictured is striker Steve Schimmel taking to the air during his side's 2-1 win over Oratia at home. Photo / Michael Cunningham

It could be a while between drinks for North Force fans as tomorrow's game at fortress Kamo against Albany United is the last one for over a month.

Tomorrow's match, which kicks off at 3pm, is the last home game until July 12 with North Force having a bye and three away games.

North Force coach Russell Baddeley hopes that will be fair enough reason to see a good turnout to help the side continue their winning ways.

After 10 games the Northland representative football team have won seven, something which has been credited to the home crowd.

Of the 10 games played, six have been in Kamo and five of those have been victories - prompting Baddeley to label the Kamo Sports Park as a fortress.

"Of all the teams we've played we easily have the best supporters," he commented. " They're really starting to get behind the team which really helps."

Baddeley hopes there will be another strong showing tomorrow, despite conditions forecast to be moist.

While Albany are sitting bottom of the table, North Force would not be taking the side lightly after Albany's respectable 2-2 draw with Papakura City.

"Confidence is high [but] we've got to certainly maintain a high level of respect for them," Baddeley said.

"I just think it's time we really try and turn it on at home and play to that high performance level."

Even though Baddeley wanted to see his side put away a fair few goals tomorrow, he was aware of his side trying too hard as they did against Onehunga Mangere which ended in a closer fashion than he hoped.

For North Force, who currently sit third, it has been a whirlwind season which has seen them achieve higher results than thought possible. Even Baddeley is surprised.

"Our expectations at the start of the season were to get the side competitive and see if we can give a promotion spot a nudge.

"Our expectation now is to achieve promotion and if we can win on Saturday and the three away games then we're in with a shot at winning the league."

Meanwhile, in other North Force news, the under-16 team have leaped to the top of the AFF boys' 16th grade Metro championship ladder for the first time with a convincing 3-0 win over Western Springs at Tikipunga last Sunday.

Noteworthy was Dylan Rogers playing in goal and keeping his first clean sheet of the season against the competition's front runners.

This Sunday sees the North Force travel to play Eastern Suburbs who currently sit bottom of the standings.