Soccer: Waitakere bring in new striker

Waitakere United have wasted no time in rushing new signing Allan Pearce into action.

Pearce, 21, will join leading goal-grabber Keryn Jordan in their two-pronged attack for Waitakere in the New Zealand Football Championship clash with Canterbury United at Trusts Stadium tomorrow.

A product of Kevin Fallon's Mt Albert Grammar School academy after playing his early football in Wellington, Pearce will be playing club football in New Zealand for the first time since he left for England in 1999 at the age of 16.

"It was both worthwhile and frustrating," said Pearce of his time in England, where he played at Barnsley and Lincoln City before a brief stint with non-league Bradford Park Avenue.

"I would not change much except maybe choosing a different club. Football there did not suit my style. A bit of luck would also have helped.

"It can be pretty tough over there even to get a trial. In some respects I feel I'm a better player, but in others I might have lost something."

Pearce, who has been back for a few days, is looking forward to playing with his new club.

"The game in England is about passing the ball. You don't get time on the ball and the game is certainly not about flair."

Pearce scored one of the two goals netted by New Zealand in their win over Poland in the 1999 under-17 World Championships at North Harbour Stadium. That victory remains New Zealand's only triumph in a Fifa finals tournament.

He joined New Zealand under-17 captain Jeremy Christie and under-17 team-mate David Mulligan as apprentices at Barnsley, but they lost their way when the club was placed in administration.

Not required at under-20 level, Pearce returned to the international stage with the under-23 team for this year's Olympic qualifiers, and got as far as the substitute's bench for the All Whites against Iran.

He comes into the starting lineup for tomorrow's game at the expense of Stuart Hogg, who is not required by coach Chris Milicich after last Saturday's petulant display when Hogg was substituted late in their game with Auckland City.

Canterbury drew 0-0 with United in their earlier clash and sit just outside the top three ahead of tomorrow's game. Auckland City are away to Team Wellington.

ALLAN PEARCE

* Born: April 7, 1983, Wellington.

* Position: Striker.

* Height: 1.78m.

* Weight: 74kg.

* Clubs: Western Suburbs, MAGS, Barnsley, Lincoln City, Bradford Park Ave.

* International honours: NZ under-17 (1999), under-23 (2004).