Blunted Force trauma: We must win

STRETCHING DEFENCES: Kyle Levell (left), with 13 goals in five matches for the North Force reserve team, is one of several players to impress the selectors. PHOTO/SHARON TEH

North Force will be looking for a big game tomorrow in their Lotto NRFL 2015 Division 2 match against Oratia United.

After a 3-1 defeat to AFC Fury and a 1-0 loss against Albany at Anzac weekend, Force captain Scott Burgess said his side needed three points from a win over Oratia to stay amongst the division leaders.

They had to put in a better performance than the rubbish they produced at the weekend, he said, although the noun he used was rather more earthy than "rubbish".

After the first four rounds of competition, North Force have slumbered.

"We had a discussion on Tuesday and Wednesday [and] we're trying to fix what's going wrong.

"[We've] put it down to a lack of intensity. We need individuals to go out there and step up."

Heading into round eight, they sit fifth on the ladder. The reserves are second.

With Scott Burgess, Ben Porter and Steve Schimmel nearing full fitness after missing a few games, the Force will be without only Leon and Aaron Taylor tomorrow.

Burgess said the absence of key players "has made it hard" over the past weeks.

"One or two changes is not too bad. But when you've got to make three or four or five, it's not healthy."

Scoring goals and taking advantage of attacking opportunities will be crucial to climb back up the ladder again.

The North Force defence has been formidable this season in conceding the fewest goals in the league.

The reserves side are tracking along nicely after a 4-4 draw against Ellerslie on Monday.

That game saw a cracking hattrick to Darren Green and yet another goal from Kyle Levell, who is now on 13 goals from five games.

In defence, youngsters Jesse Mathews, Josh Apeldoorn and Bradley Douglas are improving every game and pushing at the first-team door.

North Force first team to play Oratia tomorrow:

Shane Stanners, Marcus Crum, Andrew Dunn, Nathan Steel, Murray Wootten, Mark Ruddell, Joe Luiten, Kyle Levell, Marcus Crum, Ben Porter, Craig Oldridge, Steve Schimmel, Kyle Levell, Jeremy Rintoul, Scott Burgess, Jason Teal, Jamie Burgess, Calvin Erick.

North Force Reserves:

Brad Sworn, Brett Plant, Josh Apeldoorn, Wayne Crowley, Sam Nimmo, Jesse Mathews, Darren Green, Thomas Fahey, Thomas Berry, Mitchell Hanmore, Joel Crawford, Gareth Blithe, Junior Kaiarake, Bradley Douglas, Josh Kiernan, Steve Crowley.