"Massive" Chatham Cup assignment for unbeaten villagers
Havelock North Wanderers footballers have every right to be buzzing after an unbeaten nine-game run at the start of the season.
That's six wins and one draw in Federation League play and two wins in their first two Chatham Cup outings. In Federation League play Wanderers have scored the most goals, 26, and conceded the least - six.
Ask Wanderers Golden Boot leader Bjorn Christensen (pictured above), who has scored eight goals in the seven Federation League games, what the secret to the side's success is and you get a quick reply:
"It's the culture we have got. We are all working hard with the aim of winning the league so we qualify for next year's Central League."
An electrician, Christensen, 26, started playing for Wanderers when he was 18 and has played every season since apart from one. The former Hawke's Bay United representative and St John's College old boy was optimistic as the team prepared for Monday's Chatham Cup clash against Miramar Rangers at David Farrington Park in the capital.
"If we take the right mindset we could tip them up. It's a quick turnaround for them and we have nothing to lose," Christensen said.
Wanderers head coach Chris Greatholder agreed his troops were in the luxurious position of not having to play today while Miramar Rangers have a 10th round Central League match against Western Suburbs to focus on before turning their attention to the Havelock North lads.
"Rangers also don't have any footage or knowledge about us. They don't know how we are going to play but we have footage from their game against Napier City Rovers in Napier a fortnight ago which we have studied," Greatholder explained.
"At the same time, this is a great opportunity for us. The rangers are probably the best side in the country but we have a free shot at something.
"They are a great outfit who play a relentless style of football. It's going to be a massive ask and I'm sure there will be lots of lessons for our lads," Greatholder added.
The full Wanderers squad for Monday is:
Thomas Hooper (GK), Vince Mackirdy, Oli Chapman, Jerome Groot (captain), Bjorn Christensen, Joshua Stewart, Dakota Lucas, Jack Albertini, Jarvis Alatise, Stefan Kitching-Nicholson, Jackson Ralph, James McPeake (GK), Chris Greatholder, Alexander Eaglestone, Bradley Perks, Joshua Lawson.
