Soccer: Kingz fired up to end losing streak

By TERRY MADDAFORD

The Football Kingz intend to shrug off their three-week break in a positive fashion when they meet middle-of-the-table Northern Spirit this afternoon.

Team manager Barry Williams, on behalf of indisposed coach Ken Dugdale, said yesterday that the Kingz go into the match at Ericsson Stadium determined to snap a five-game losing streak.

"There is a good team spirit and the resolve to get things started and mount a real challenge for the top six," Williams said.

"Playing at 4.30pm is a heck of a lot better than the 12.15 starts we have had for our three previous home games."

With Michael Utting still at least a week away from returning to the side, the steady Ross Nicholson will again be in goal.

In the only changes from the team who lost 2-1 to the Melbourne Knights last month, Jeff Campbell and Mark Burton will start in place of Jason Rowley and Brad Scott.

Chris Jackson and Mauro Donoso complete the midfield, with a defensive trio of John Tambouras, Glen Collins and Espen Schjerven.

The team's leading goalscorer, Harry Ngata, will share the attacking duties with Paul Harries and Aleksander Midtsian.

Jeremy Christie and Campbell Banks are sidelined by injury, and flu-struck David Rayner and Mark Beldham were not considered.

Northern Spirit beat Wollongong Wolves 3-0 at home last weekend to take their third win (in seven outings) and seventh place on the league table.