SOCCER: North Force snatch 2-0 win over Albany

North Force lived up to their coaches' predictions by outclassing mid-table Albany 2-0 at Tikipunga to continue their rise up the Northern League Division One table.

Coach Bruce Plunkett predicted a victory midweek, saying his side had turned a corner in the competition. He had set them a goal of finishing the competition in fifth place.

"You've got to have goals, don't you, and after our terrible start to the season we've got to be realistic," he said.

"Our immediate goal is to move into mid-table, but once we're settled there we want to prove what we're capable of and take down some of the top teams, so fifth isn't out of the question."

Goals in the 63rd and 71st minute by midfielder Mark Ruddell made sure of the points that Plunkett believed they were never in doubt of earning.

"We had enough chances to be 3-0 up at halftime. To be honest, I was never worried they would beat us. We were the better quality side today."

North Force dominated the match from the start and finally recorded their first clean sheet of the season. It is a far cry from the team who were winless and held up the bottom of the table just rounds ago.

"I couldn't be happier with them. The lads did exactly what I asked them to and more and they deserved their win," he said.

The North Force reserves went down by the same 2-0 margin but at least played well enough to bury the memory of an 11-2 drubbing by Albany last season.