SOCCER - Scotty helps to beam up warp-speed Force

We were holding on in the end but we done all right, we're bigger and stronger this year, and I think you might have seen us collapse in a situation like that last year.Bruce PlunkettTHERE was a touch of science fiction to North Force's perfect start in the new United Soccer 1 Premier League on Saturday.
Not only did they post an unlikely 2-1 victory over Glenfield Rovers, who played a division above their hosts at Tikipunga Park last season, but it was achieved by the extraordinary actions of Captain Kirk and Scotty.
In this case Kirk's role was played by skipper Bruce Plunkett, while Scott Burgess played himself but in the slightly surreal position of central defender.
Any doubts about the decision by coach Dean Wheatley to combine the two in the centre of defence were quickly dispelled with the win. It was a great team effort but the three points were a result of solid defence. At no time was that more obvious than in the final frantic 15 minutes when Glenfield stormed forward looking for an equaliser.
The new squad members impressed and have added a solidity to the team. Combined with the survivors in the team from last season, they gave the impression of being a stouter, more effective outfit and that augurs well for the season ahead, Plunkett believes.
"We were holding on in the end but we done all right, we're bigger and stronger this year, and I think you might have seen us collapse in a situation like that last year.
"I am so stoked. It might not have been as pretty as last year but it was better," he said.
"I think Scotty's speed in defence was the biggest difference today over last season, when there was only an old donkey like me back there," he said.
The team were less formidable going forward but managed to fashion as many clear scoring chances as Glenfield during the match.
At least three-quarters of them were from long throws, corners and freekicks, and were a result, Plunkett said, of the squad's hard work at practice.
Burgess was often the man on the ball, while the skipper acted as the target man to link with the late-running finisher.
Both North Force's goals came from set-pieces.
The first followed a fiercely whipped in Burgess corner that took everyone by surprise in the 25th minute. Steve Crowley was the quickest to react of the players in the goalmouth and he scored the first goal of the season.
A long-range effort by Glenfield's Tom Edwards, following a half-cleared corner, got the Northern League Premier champions of two years ago back into the game and the two sides went to the break at level at 1-1.
Second half substitute Calvin Erick scored the winner with a well measured header midway through the second spell. Plunkett had once again found space at the near post to nod a long throw-in over a ring of defenders to find the Solomon Islander unmarked.
Kyle Mack was a revelation in his first game for the club.
He worked hard in midfield, disrupting the Glenfield passing game and distributed the ball simply but effectively.
Another new midfielder, Jeremy Rintoul, showed plenty of promise especially on attack, while Burgess' brother Jamie, Adam Sharp and Mark Ruddell were particularly solid in defence. Leon Taylor had a fairly quiet time in goal but looked solid, particularly under the high ball.
When Mack went off with a knock, North Force lost shape but still hung tough - a promising sign, the coach believed.
"We're delighted with the win because we know we are a good side. There was a grit about them today and a bit of character that was probably missing a bit last year. It was a great result, a great three points and something of a famous victory," Wheatley said,
A stellar performance and certainly a powerful one by a side that started the season at full warp speed.