SOCCER - Hatters ready to take Kamo

The odds may be stacked against Madhatters but don't expect them to sit back and defend when they play Kamo in the Stafford-Choat final this Saturday.
Coach Grant Snelgar said the side had been written off by most neutrals as a chance to win the season final but that had only strengthened their resolve to stop Kamo in their tracks. "We're very much like Kamo, we're an attacking side so you can expect a fairly lively game and probably plenty of goals."
Kamo have been dominant in club competition this year and will go into the match, to be played at William Fraser Park, unbeaten. The senior team are looking to add a fifth trophy to their collection, which includes the Northland Premier League title, in what they are already calling their "grand slam" achievement.
Madhatters' strength is in going forward, with brothers Charlton and Cody Lacour always dangerous near goal. Another pair of siblings that might help their cause are former Central Brown brothers Jake and Heath Mabbett, but a torn hamstring has ruled Heath out, so it will be up to Leon Stirling to find the net.
Madhatters have lost both of their matches against Kamo this season by large margins - 6-1 and 5-1 respectively.
"The first game we played badly and deservedly got our butts kicked, but the second time around, we played pretty well but they still scored five goals against us ... we felt we were unlucky and we want to make amends for that game this weekend," Snelgar said.
He said the back line had been reshaped during the season and it would be up to Dwayne Ellis and Matthew Payne to stop Kamo strikers Steve Schimmel and Sammy Oso.
Kamo coach Russell Baddeley said his side was stronger this week with David Healey available and Keegan Baddeley back from suspension and some of players who had been carrying injuries in recent weeks beginning to come good.
"It will be hard for Madhatters to come up with a game plan to contain our front five ... but they've got some good players and we're wary of their strike force. If they can be at their best, they could do it," he said.
But Kamo won't be changing their gameplan either and will come out firing. The match is scheduled to start at 2pm.