SOCCER - Classy form in front of goal has Force coasting

Classy finishing gave North Force a near perfect start to their season with a 5-1 demolition of Hibiscus Coast at Kamo.
After a fairly lacklustre first spell, North Force were clearly the better side in the second period of the United Premier League match, to score four unanswered goals.
Goals to Sammy Oso, Calvin Erick, Scott Burgess and a double to Steve Schimmel distanced North Force from the visitors, who seemed more intent on doing damage to the flora behind the goals than spoiling the first-team debut of stand-in keeper Mark Stevensen.
Stevensen was beaten only once in the match after Dan Bungard made the most of an early penalty awarded against Matthew Ward for a foul in the penalty area.
North Force coach Dean Wheatley said: "In the end, it was a very pleasing result for us, especially after starting slow and going 0-1 down. Even though we got ourselves 2-1 up at the break, I had to have a bit of a go at the boys at half time."
Wheatley said the second half was a better indication of how the team wanted to play.
"I thought we were much better and it was a convincing win in the end and good to see Steve Schimmel come off the bench and score twice," he said.
North Force scored most of their goals by getting in behind the Hibiscus Coast defence and using a square ball to find a spare striker to score.
It was a successful tactic and one likely to find favour with the fans, with all four second half goals well executed team goals.
Schimmel's entry into the game was one of a number of changes Wheatley made after the side was reduced to 10-men.
Defender Mike Crowley was given his marching orders midway through the second spell for two yellow card offences.
Crowley was a little unfortunate to get the first booking when he clattered into his opposite number after committing to a tackle but, when he hacked down another of the visitors a minute or two later, he left the referee no choice. "It was disappointing to see him sent off because he'd had a great game up until then, but he's got to learn - the second one meant he had to go," Wheatley said.
Rather than panic when reduced to 10 men, North Force almost played a better game, and added two more late goals to complete the scoring. Jason Teal and Kyle Mac were good in the midfield, Burgess was- the best forward, while Ward recovered after giving away the penalty, to be the stand-out defender.
The reserves also overcame a shaky first spell to win their first match of the season. They won 2-1, with both goals scored by Murray Wooten after the score was tied 1-1 at the break.
• US1 Football Premiership results: Albany United 0 Forrest Hill Milford 3 (Sheldon Pillay, Kelly Escolme 2); Birkenhead United 6 (Mauri Wasi 2, Carl Franklin, Sam Clark, James Lawson, Ian Lathwood) North Shore United 1 (Enzamael); Glenfield Rovers 6 (Mike Gwyther 3, Nick Farac 2, Mark Foster) Waitakere City 2 (Blair Konik 2); North Force 5 (Steve Schimmel 2, Scott Burgess, Sammy Oso, Calvin Erick) Hibiscus Coast 1 (Daniel Bungard); Oratia United 0, Takapuna 4 (Dimas Da Silva 2, Brendon Dearon, Barry Donoghie).