SOCCER - Win this game, Force, and all will be forgiven

North Force's recent poor form will be regarded as a mere blip on a far-away horizon by their fans if they can win this weekend against a club who are experiencing troubles of their own.
Their away-game against North Shore United tomorrow is vital for both teams but the hosts may struggle to concentrate after bad news during the week.
The club were dumped from the Chatham Cup for fielding an ineligible player, ruining their run of four victories from five matches. Only University Mt Wellington has won the Chatham Cup more times than North Shore but that didn't stop NZ Football from reinstating the NZ Celtic Supporters Club to the competition after they were beaten 0-4 by North Shore two weeks ago.
North Force coach Dean Wheatley said the team was in good spirits after its tidy 3-1 league win over Hibiscus Coast at Kamo last Saturday.
The coach said the club's remaining matches were all must-win games as far as he was concerned.
"At the risk of sounding like a broken record, none of these bloody games are easy, so hopefully we can go down there and get a result. We've got to keep picking up points," he said.
North Force retains third spot on the table, three points clear of Western Oratia United and four points clear of Hibiscus Coast.
There is no doubt that Scott Burgess' return from suspension will give the side a big lift.
After stepping in so convincingly last week to replace Burgess, Alex Luiten is unavailable this week as the game clashes with his studies.
Burgess will again take over the central defender role, with Aaron Taylor up front and Mark Ruddell again playing wide on the left, while Jeremy Rintoul remains out of contention with a knee injury.
The return of Calvin Erick last week was one of the reasons behind the bright win, Wheatley said.
"I think he makes a bit of a difference to the side, his work-rate is very high and he has a good understanding with Sammy (Oso) as well," he said. The striker is fit to play despite a nagging knee injury.
After last weekend's close matches, it's getting tougher to pick Northland Premier football results.
This week, FC Whangarei host Kerikeri at Morningside Park, while Madhatters host Kaikohe at William Fraser Park with both games too close to pick. Second-placed Onerahi should beat Central Brown at the Airport, while Tikipunga host leaders Kamo in a tough challenge.