Match week four of the ISPS Handa Premiership takes place this weekend as we celebrate Heritage Week, check out what’s in store with the official preview.

Wellington Phoenix Reserves vs Waitakere United
Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Saturday 3 November, 4.45pm
#ISPSHandaPrem #WPvWU
Live on SKY Sport

Referee: C Berg
Assistant Referees: G Sheehan, T Pedley
Fourth Official: R Fleetham

Squads

Wellington Phoenix: 1. Zac Jones (GK), 2. Boyd Curry, 4. Liam Moore, 6. Gianni Stensness, 7. Callan Elliot, 8. Tacettin Kumsuz, 9. Calvin Harris, 10. Willem Ebbinge, 11. Sam Sutton, 12. Oliver Valentine, 13. Noah Tipene-Clegg, 16. Ronan Wynne, 17. Benjamin Waine, 19. Maximilian Batchelor, 20. Alexander Paulsen (GK), 21. Owen Smith
Coach: Paul Temple

Waitakere United: 1. Danyon Drake (GK), 2. Luke Jorgensen, 4. Ben Gordon, 5. Alec Solomons, 7. Oscar Browne, 9. Alex Connor-McClean, 10. Eder Franchini Pasten, 12. Matthew Conroy, 14. David Parkinson, 17. Jake Butler, 18. Lachlan McIsaac, 19. Bill Robertson, 20. Oliver Bassett, 21. Andrew Abba, 22. Nick Draper (GK)
Coach: Chris Milicich

Lowdown

These sides have emerged as the early contenders for the wooden spoon and their records are identical after two matches with both games lost, only one goal scored and six conceded. They will both see this as a good opportunity to kick-start their campaigns and it’s particularly important for Waitakere to get off the mark. The main purpose of the Phoenix competing in this league is player development so coach Paul Temple will not be unduly concerned by the points tally but it’s much different for Waitakere counterpart Chris Milicich. He is looking to mastermind a return to Waitakere’s glory days and that quest will need to begin immediately as the west Aucklanders are already six points off the play-off pace.

Quotes

Paul Temple (Wellington Phoenix coach): “Our key message this week has been maintaining possession better and how we can do things differently to dominate the opposition. Being at home will provide us with familiar surroundings, a great pitch to play on and that extra special feeling which will give us a lift and hopefully in turn we can register points on the board.”

Auckland City vs Hawke’s Bay United
Kiwitea Street, Auckland
Sunday 4 November, 2pm
#ISPSHandaPrem #ACvHB

Referee: CK Kawana-Waugh
Assistant Referees: S Merriman, C Tseng
Fourth Official: N Waldron

Squads

Auckland City: 1. Enaut Zubikarai (GK), 2. Danny McHenery, 3. Takuya Iwata, 4. Mario Bilen, 5. Angel Berlanga, 6. Brian Kaltak, 7. Cameron Howieson, 9. Javier Lopez, 10. Micah Lea’alafa, 14. Jordan Vale, 15. Daniel Morgan, 17. Reid Drake, 18. Ruben Parker (GK), 20. Te Atawhai Hudson-Wihongi, 21. Maro Bonsu-Maro, 23. Alfie Rogers
Coach: Ramon Tribulietx

Hawke’s Bay United: 1. Mackenzie Waite (GK), 2. Anders Eriksson, 3. Liam Schofield, 4. Cameron Lindsay, 5. Joseph Zupo, 6. Daniel Allan, 7. Cory Chettleburgh, 8. Paul Ifill, 9. Sam Mason-Smith, 10. Sho Goto, 11. Maxime Oliveri, 14. Birhanu Taye, 17. Jordan Lamb, 22. Karan Mandair, 23. Jorge Akers, 26. Alexander Britton (GK)
Coach: Brett Angell

Lowdown

Auckland City were denied the chance to retain their outright lead at the top of the table when last week’s clash with Southern was called off and they will hope that false start hasn’t disrupted the flow they had built up from posting two wins on the trot. With Eastern Suburbs and Hamilton Wanderers both showing improvement from last year and Canterbury also yet to lose, it looks like Auckland and Team Wellington could have more competition for the title than in recent years so the Navy Blues will be keen to get back into their stride quickly. Hawke’s Bay bounced back from a confidence-sapping 5-0 loss to Eastern Suburbs by drawing with Canterbury at home but beating Auckland on their own patch is one of the most difficult tasks in the league – not one team managed to pull it off last year.

Quotes

Brett Angell (Hawke’s Bay United coach): “Auckland have been the benchmark for every team at this national level and we’re under no illusions that this will be a very difficult game to get anything from and what we get will be very hard earned. But we’re going there with the intention of pushing our season forward by getting something from this game, ideally three points. I think the group is fully aware of what’s expected and are ready to compete and show their qualities.”

Canterbury United vs Eastern Suburbs
English Park, Christchurch
Sunday 4 November, 2pm
#ISPSHandaPrem #CUvES

Referee: A Riley
Assistant Referees: I Trevis, C Gruschow
Fourth Official: B O’Connell

Squads

Canterbury United: 1. Edward Ashton (GK), 2. Dan Terris, 3. Aaron Spain, 5. Tom Schwarz, 6. Gary Ogilvie, 7. George King, 8. Luke Tongue, 9. Maksym Kowal, 10. Adam Thurston, 11. James Pendrigh, 12. Reese Cox, 14. Sean Liddicoat, 16. Cory Mitchell, 17. Stephen Hoyle, 21. Seth Clark, 22. Conor Tracey (GK)
Coach: Willy Gerdsen

Eastern Suburbs: 1. Andrew Withers (GK), 2. Alex Clayton, 3. Kelvin Kalua, 4. Nando Pijnaker, 6. Harrison Edge, 7. Tim Payne, 10. Andre de Jong, 11. Mohamed Awad, 12. Kingsley Sinclair, 14. Elijah Just, 15. Dalton Wilkins, 16. Dominic Wooldridge, 19. Tinashe Marowa, 21. Justin Biega (GK), 23. Campbell Strong, 24. Jack Duncan
Coach: Danny Hay

Lowdown

Eastern Suburbs have announced themselves as a force to be reckoned with in these opening weeks, earning back-to-back victories, scoring seven times and becoming the only side yet to concede a goal. Both their matches have been at home against teams they would have expected to beat though and this trip to Christchurch will be the toughest challenge they have faced so far. The club certainly don’t have fond memories from their clashes with Canterbury last year, the Dragons winning 3-2 and 2-1. But hardly any players remain from the previous Suburbs squad and the promising youngsters that have come in will be full of confidence after making such a bright start to their national league careers.

Quotes

Willy Gerdsen (Canterbury United coach): “We were a bit unlucky with the late equaliser last week but we were otherwise happy with the team – a point away is always a good thing for us. Suburbs have a good coaching staff and a very talented team, they’re very technical. We have a lot of respect for them like we have for every opponent but we will play our style and hopefully we’ll be successful.”

Danny Hay (Eastern Suburbs coach): “We know it’s going to be a difficult fixture down there, Canterbury are always very good at home and English Park is a difficult place to go. We’re just trying to build on the momentum we’ve got at the moment, making sure there’s no complacency amongst the side, that they continue to do the simple things well and work hard. We’re in a good space at the moment but we know we’re only two games into it and there’s a heck of a long way to go.”

Team Wellington vs Tasman United
David Farrington Park, Wellington
Sunday 4 November, 2pm
#ISPSHandaPrem #TWvTU

Referee: M Conger
Assistant Referees: M Rule, E Cook
Fourth Official: R Fleetham

Squads

Team Wellington: 1. Scott Basalaj (GK), 2. Justin Gulley, 3. Scott Hilliar, 4. Mario Ilich, 5. Liam Wood, 6. Taylor Schrijvers, 8. Henry Cameron, 10. Nathanael Hailemariam, 11. Mario Barcia, 12. Andy Bevin, 14. Jack-Henry Sinclair, 16. Angus Kilkolly, 17. Alex Palezevic, 19. Ross Allen, 21. Hamish Watson, 22. Marcel Kampman (GK)
Coach: Jose Figueira

Tasman United: 1. Keegan Smith (GK), 2. Sam Ayers, 4. Thomas Hickey, 5. Fox Slotemaker, 6. Bertie Fish, 7. Corey Larsen, 8. Matt Tod-Smith, 10. Kiernan Hughes-Mason, 11. Alex Ridsdale, 12. Ahmed Othman, 13. Daniel McClay, 14. Ryan Worrall, 15. Max Winterton, 19. Chester Gaskin, 20. Nick Stanton, 21. Jordan Yong
Coach: Andy Hedge

Lowdown

After falling to a 4-3 loss to Auckland City on the opening day, Wellington have responded in impressive fashion with a pair of comprehensive wins. They have scored seven goals and conceded just one over those two victories, against the Phoenix and Waitakere, to build up a bit of momentum that will be difficult for Tasman to stop. Tasman have been handed a tough start to life under new boss Andy Hedge, facing defending champions Auckland, a resurgent Hamilton Wanderers and now last season’s runners-up in their first three games. But a run of appealing fixtures is on the horizon and Hedge will be seeking a positive performance against Wellington so his side can take some confidence into a period that will define their first half of the season.

Hamilton Wanderers vs Southern United
Porritt Stadium, Hamilton
Sunday 4 November, 4pm
#ISPSHandaPrem #HWvSU

Referee: AM Keighley
Assistant Referees: TBC, Ben Norman
Fourth Official: A Lamberth

Squads

Hamilton Wanderers: 1. Matt Oliver (GK), 2. James Hoyle, 3. Joe Nottage, 5. Stafford Dowling, 6. Agustin Contratti, 8. Brad Whitworth, 9. Martin Bueno, 10. Rhys Ruka, 11. Jordan Shaw, 13. Tommy Semmy, 14. Paul Clout, 15. Joseph Terry, 18. Steffano Riley, 20. Derek Tieku, 21. Will Stephen, 23. Jonathan Mannes (GK)
Coach: Ricki Herbert

Southern United: 1. Liam Little (GK), 2. Conor O’Keeffe, 3. Jared Grove, 4. Stephen Last, 5. Erik Panzer, 6. Danny Ledwith, 8. Tony Whitehead, 9. Garbhan Coughlan, 10. Abdulla Al-Kalisy, 11. Benjamin Wade, 12. Sam Pickering, 14. Rory Findlay, 15. Blake Weston, 16. Stewart Catto (GK), 17. Omar Guardiola, 18. Markus Fjortoft
Coach: Paul O’Reilly

Lowdown

After two seasons of struggle, Hamilton have finally emerged from the darkness to make a mark on the competition. They have begun with two successive victories – doubling their win tally from last season in the process – and will fancy their chances of keeping that run going this weekend. Southern have had a frustrating start to the season, falling to a narrow loss against Canterbury first-up before their match against Auckland City last weekend was called off due to a water-logged pitch. With a new-look line-up to mould together, coach Paul O’Reilly would have hoped to get more momentum going in the early weeks, especially as they do not have another home game until November 25.

Article added: Friday 02 November 2018