Soccer: Waikato bring in teenager in only change for semi

Waikato FC have made just one change to their starting lineup for Sunday's New Zealand Football Championship playoff match with Waitakere United.

Melville United teenager David Samson will partner Sam Wilkinson and Cole Tinkler in the midfield, replacing Nathan Fry.

New Zealand under-20 midfielder Michael Mayne was not considered for selection due to the groin injury that kept him out of Friday night's 3-0 win over Napier City.

Football manager James Pamment has named an unchanged defence, with Mark Fulcher in goal, captain Che Bunce and Craig Flowerday in the central positions and L J Pijnenburg and Garry Board on the flanks. Waikato have not lost a match with Board, who began the season at striker, at right back.

On the injury front, Wilkinson and Tinkler, who both received painkilling injections last week to overcome ankle injuries, took full part in Tuesday night's practice and will play.

Defender Cameron Jones, who has missed the last two games, trained but will continue to have his hamstring injury assessed before Sunday, while Auckland-based striker Steve Callinan, who had knee surgery on January 21, was rested on Tuesday. Striking partner Brett Derry will play with a broken wrist suffered last week at his day job as a builder.

Pamment said last week's 3-0 win at Napier City to qualify for the playoffs gave his squad a useful taste of "finals football".

"The cup-tie nature of that match will stand us in good stead for the business end of the season," Pamment said.

Waikato FC: Mark Fulcher, Garry Board, Che Bunce, Craig Flowerday, L J Pijnenburg, David Samson, Sam Wilkinson, Cole Tinkler, Colin Gardyne, Brett Derry, Steve Callinan. Subs (from): Anees Khan, Cameron Jones, Adam Crump, Nathan Fry, Eddie Trubshoe, Brent Mayhew.

- NZPA