Force benefits from weekend off

Holidays make a whole lot of sense - even for entire football teams.
Last weekend's lack of a fixture has solved some of North Force's injury problems allowing player-coach Scott Burgess the luxury of making some selections ahead of Sunday's game against Takapuna.
A lack of depth in the squad has been a reason the team is struggling in the Northern Region Football League's first division and a win against Takapuna should change their fortunes and see them comfortably back in the middle of the league table.
"A big positive for us is that I've got a full squad to choose from for a change. I think for the first time this year, so that's going to give me some [selection] headaches but that's not a bad thing," Burgess said.
The team has switched some of their home games to Sunday in an effort to get more supporters.
"It's an opportunity to get some of the players along to watch from the local teams who play at the same time as we do on Saturday, they don't get the chance to see us too often, so we're trying to cater for them," he said.
A decent crowd should make things easier against Takapuna.
"It always makes it easier when you've got more people cheering you on along the sideline and it definitely makes it harder for the visiting side."
Takapuna are five points ahead of North Force but Burgess is expecting a close game if they can start well. He knows Takapuna coaches Danny Donovan and Stu Robinson will bring a well-prepared side and a good start will be vital.
"They're quite a young side who'll try and play football but they won't be a team we should fear by any means. They'll work hard and we'll have to match them in intensity if we want to pick up three points," Burgess said.
Being clinical with their finish could be an important factor. The team has squandered chances in the past and Burgess hopes the side will take their chances.
Meanwhile, league football takes a break in Northland with the first round of the Stafford Choat Cup competition scheduled.
Northland Premier Division teams get a bye through the first round of the competition and instead will play the first round of their premier division knockout cup.
North Force women move their important league fixture against Waitakere an hour forward to noon so they can support the men's team on Sunday. The rest of the women's league programme is unchanged except for the Hora Hora versus Kerikeri High School game, which is postponed to allow Kerikeri to play Oratia United away in the qualification round of the New Zealand Knockout Cup.