Premiership football comes to Manawatu¯
Hawke’s Bay United have a chance to make Palmerston North a fortress when they take on Eastern Suburbs in their National League match on Sunday.
The Napier side are making their annual pilgrimage to Memorial Park, thanks largely to the club’s association with Central Football.
With Youngheart Manawatu¯ , now known as Manawatu¯ United, left without a team in the league since 2013, the match is the sole chance for locals to catch an ISPS Handa Premiership match without travelling.
Hawke’s Bay will be hoping to find the same success at Memorial Park as they had last year when they beat Tasman United 3-2 last year.
It has not been a good year for the Brett Angell-coached side, which has claimed just three wins this season. They need to win their remaining six matches if they want a spot in the playoffs.
Hawke’s Bay has a trio of new faces to roll out after a healthy showing at the end of the transfer window.
Tinashe Marowa, who played for Tasman United last year and trialled for the Wellington Phoenix, will be worth keeping an eye on.
The 21-year-old wing has a habit of finding the back of the net and is a handy pick-up considering the injury to star striker Samuel Adjei last week.
Marowa is no stranger to Memorial Park. He netted both Tasman’s goals at the venue last year.
Hawke’s Bay also added 21-year-old former Waitakere United youth squad player Jordan Lamb and returning veteran Danny Wilson.
The likes of Manawatu¯ expats Sean Liddicoat (Canterbury United) and Fin Milne (travelling overseas) have moved on from the club, but they still have defender Graham Craven on deck.
They will face a hungry Eastern Suburbs side. A 2-0 loss to Auckland United on Wednesday cost them a share of the competition lead.
Before that match they were riding a wave of a six-match unbeaten streak. They sit third on goal differential behind Auckland and Team Wellington.
The key for coach Danny Hay will be motivating his young guns after the disappointing result. Max Mata will be key up front, while All White Moses Dyer is a classy operator in the midfield.