North Force wary ahead of Mangere challenge

A well-rested North Force  host Mangere United tomorrow at Kamo Sports Park  against the side proving to be a bit of a dark horse.
North Force are on top of the table, with six matches remaining before playoffs in the Northern Region Division One competition and the team have high hopes to maintain pole position.
Although Mangere United sit down the table in 12th spot, North Force skipper Scott Burgess said his side would not be taking the visitors lightly.
"Mangere drew 1-1 with Ellerslie, who were in second place two weeks ago, so they won't be mugs," he said.
No matches were played in the division one competition last weekend due to a Chatham Cup round, which gave most of the North Force players a well-earned break.
The focus for North Force in tomorrow's game will be to keep playing the way the team has been up until this point. They have won seven and drawn two games in what has been a long nine weeks, Burgess said.
"We had a good first training back on Tuesday night, after the week off.
"We want to continue our form and pick up those three points this weekend."
North Force currently lead the table with 23 points, while a second-placed Ellerslie have 20 points, and will play the bottom-placed Pukekohe side this weekend.
Further down the table on 15 points is Mt Albert Ponsonby and Western Springs.
There has been no drastic changes to the line-up to face Mangere but North Force gained a few extra bodies over the past week, Burgess said.
Steve Schimmel  could play tomorrow but the team is waiting on a doctor's certificate to give him the all-clear after he broke his wrist.
Charlton Lacour is available to play following his absence in round nine due to work commitments.
Mark Ruddell has returned to training after several weeks off due to an ankle injury and, while he won't play this weekend, he should be at full fitness in the near future, the skipper said.
North Force kick off against Mangere at Kamo Sports Park at 3.15pm, tomorrow.
Meanwhile, North Force women play Hibiscus Coast in the United Soccer 1 Women's Championship on Sunday, kicking off at 11am, at Kamo and the seventh placed FC Whangarei take on top of the table Ranui Swanson in the US1 Men's Championship, at Starling Park, tomorrow.