Football: United face tough task at weekend

Ngongotaha host Matamata on Saturday. Pictured is Ngongotaha player Jason Walker (left). Photo/Stephen Parker

Ngongotaha AFC and Rotorua United will both square off against Matamata Swifts this Easter.

Ngongotaha AFC will host Matamata on Saturday in the WaiBop Federation One competition before United travel to Matamata on Monday, after drawing them in the Chatham Cup. Matamata lost their opening two matches this season and will look to turn their form around this weekend.

However, it will be a tough test against Ngongotaha on Saturday who won their first home game this season 4-0, against Hukanui Rototuna.

Meanwhile, Rotorua United will turn their focus to the Chatham Cup on Monday when they play Matamata.

The knock-out competition has been running for 91 years in New Zealand and has seen only one Rotorua team make the final - Rotorua City in 1989 (Christchurch United won 7-1).

It would be a big ask for United to make the final this year but they will still look to go as far as possible in the prestigious competition.

United will also face a tough battle at Neil Hunt Park on Saturday in round three of the WaiBop Federation Two competition. They will play Papamoa who have won their opening two games. Ngongotaha AFC have a bye in the Chatham Cup preliminary round on Monday.

Waikato Bay of Plenty Football draw for Saturday:

Federation One (all games 2.45pm): Otumoetai v Hukanui Rototuna, Fergusson Park; Melville United v Tauranga Boys' College, Gower Park; Cambridge v Taupo, John Kerkhof Park; Tauranga City v Waikato Unicol, Links Ave; Ngongotaha v Matamata Swifts, Stembridge Rd; Tauranga Old Blues v AFC Fury, Wharepai Domain 1.

Federation Two: Rotorua United v Papamoa, Neil Hunt Park (2.45pm); Tauranga City United v Tokoroa, Links Ave; West Hamilton v Katikati, Bremworth Park; Te Awamutu v Tauranga Old Blues, Te Awamutu Stadium.