SOCCER - Big changes to format afoot?

If the whispers are to be believed then North Force's last Northern Federation League encounter of the season against Metro on Saturday could well be their final hurrah in the league.
The rumour in recent weeks is that the combined Federation One, Two and Three elite competition could be well be on its last legs.
Talk of a new Federation One premier league has reached the ears of Cowley's North Force coach Paul Cross, who says it appears the current format could be superceded by a single federation premier league = as early as next season.
"This is all just talk at the moment and no firm decisions have been made but, from what I've been hearing, a lot of the powers-that-be want it to happen but there is still some opposition.
"It sounds like a bit of a power game is being played right now but, for us, it could be good. For one, it'll be cheaper and secondly there could well be a better standard of competition," Cross said.
A Federation One premier division would probably include six or so current NFL Premier teams as well as two or three first-division clubs and possibly two or three second-division clubs.
The competition at the top of NFL division one has been extremely tight this season but the performances at the other end of the table, by South Auckland Rangers, who were kicked out of the competition, and Papakura, who weren't much better, have cheapened it slightly.
"If they do disband the Northern League and go with a (Northern and Western) super club competition then that will be a great things for us ... and from what I hear decisions are just a matter of days away," Cross said.
For the coach however, the prospect of playing the talented Metro side at Kamo tomorrow is foremost in his mind.
Plenty is riding on the match. Metro are currently in fourth place in the league and need a win to move into third, while North Force will also move up a place on the table, to fifth if they win. Cross said that would be a fitting way to end a good season.
"I think we've played better football than we did last season and we've got a lot more points on the board than at the same stage in previous years but our position on the table doesn't necessarily suggest that," he said.
Metro are certainly a reasonable target after North Force stunned them with a 4-3 away win in the first round - something that Cross would like to see be repeated for what could be the franchise's finale in the competition.
In Northland Premier League action, leaders Domino's Pizza FC Whangarei host Madhatters at Morningside Park at 2.45pm, with the match doubling up as a Northland Knockout Cup plate final.
Onerahi host Kaikohe in what could be the clash of the round, while Central Brown host Mico Kamo at Otaika Park and Tikipunga host Kerikeri at Tikipunga Park.
First and second division teams will play the first round of the Stafford Choat competition while United Federation league leaders Blue Revolution North Force women are away to Hibiscus Coast at Stanmore Bay on Sunday.