SOCCER - Coaching mates go into premier battle

Friends will become foes tomorrow when North Force Men play Birkenhead away in Auckland for round 10 of the US1 Football Premiership.
North Force coach Dean Wheatley said Birkenhead's coach Malcolm McPherson, a fellow Englishman, was one of his best mates.
"Malcolm came to work at US1 Football a couple of years ago and we've taken national academy teams together," he said.
"We're great mates but I guess tomorrow we'll be foes," joked the coach of North Force, who are currently eighth on the ladder with three wins from seven games.
Birkenhead are just in front - in seventh spot.
"They are always a decent side that do reasonably well," Wheatley said.
The northern men snatched a 1-0 win away last year against the North Shore outfit, and will be looking for a similar result.
If North Force can secure three points from their weekend effort, it would put them well in the mix - depending on other results in the round, of course, Wheatley said.
During North Force's 2-1 loss to front-runners East Coast Bays last week, Mike Crowley was forced to leave the pitch with a strained groin muscle, and a question mark hovered over whether he would be fit for tomorrow's match. A decision on Crowley's availability would be made today Wheatley said.
Otherwise, North Force were injury-free and set to make their ascent up the ladder.
A somewhat dejected-looking team left the field last week after falling to East Coast Bays, but the coach said he was pleased with how his team were performing - competitive and up there with the best in the country - and they would not be changing game plans or tactics at this stage.
North Force skipper Bruce Plunkett reiterated the need to win this weekend.
"We played well last weekend but got nothing out of it - we can't not back a performance like that with a win, or go on not getting anything from the games we play," he said.
North Force women were due to play at home against Glenfield Rovers on Sunday, however, their match has been postponed as Glenfield are scheduled to meet Oratia in the New Zealand Knockout Cup at the same time.
Meanwhile, on Sunday from 1pm at Baysport Waipapa, Kerikeri FC's women will go head-to-head with Waitakere City in the national competition.
In the Northland Men's Premiership, 2008 premiers and Stafford Choat knock-out competition winners Kamo take on FC Whangarei tomorrow in the knockout first round. Kamo have not lost a game since late 2007, and are aiming for their 40th consecutive win tomorrow.
Team manager Brad Flower admitted it would not be an easy task when the two rivals meet at Morningside.
"It will be a big grudge match ... let's just hope FC Whangarei don't come and spoil the party," he said.
Kick-off is at 2pm.