Coach confident in side
The race to avoid relegation to division two of the northern football league just got sticker for Papakura City.
Franklin United’s shock 1-0 over Mt Albert Ponsonby in the catch-up round last Saturday has for the moment consigned Papakura City into 10th place in the standings.
Fortunately for Papakura City there are two more rounds to play because if the league were to be decided today they will drop back to division two with Mangere United.
Mangere’s only escape appears to rest on their appeal to the New Zealand Sports Tribunal to have the 14 points deducted for playing an unregistered play reinstated.
That leaves Papakura City, Franklin United and Oratia, who face champions-in-waiting Waitakere City in their last game of their season on Saturday racing to avoid finishing in the drop zone.
Despite the closeness of the contest, Papakura City coach Jason Heather remains optimistic about his side’s prospects.
‘‘Franklin’s win didn’t help us at all but I still think we can play our way out of trouble.
‘‘We’re two points behind them in the standings
‘‘If we win both our last matches, even one, we should overtake them.’’
Heather says his team’s composure in the lead up to their final two matches of the season is vital.