Another tough road trip awaits Falcons in Auckland

Nelson Marlborough Falcons coach Mark Johnston has handed late signing Omar Guardiola his first start of the season as the defending champions look to make it two-from-two in the ASB Youth League.

The Nelson Suburbs winger’s inclusion is the only change to the starting 11 for Sunday’s round two clash with Auckland City at the Croatian Club in Auckland, with Matt Tod-Smith dropping back into the playmaker role next to Riley Haymes and Max Winterton shifting to the bench. The only other change in the match-day squad sees Nelson College centreback Samuel Parker join the bench in place of former captain Joshua Sansom, who is still based in Palmerston North.

Johnston said it was a no brainer to introduce Guardiola, who played for Heartland Wairarapa last year, into the fold as they look to continue their perfect start to the season.

‘‘I didn’t risk starting him last week, I thought we’d just give him half the game but now we are ready to unleash him and I have faith in him to play the full 90,’’ Johnston said. ‘‘Not much has changed since we’ve been playing for Suburbs and I’ve always been impressed by him from when he was previously in the Falcons.’’

Auckland City, whose senior side is traditionally the benchmark in the domestic football scene, lost their opening match 3-2 to Southern United and Johnston is expecting to meet a team desperate to make amends for that defeat.

‘‘I saw their team list last week and they didn’t have their best players available for whatever reason but if they can get their top 16 players ready to play then they’ve got guys who have played ASB Premiership last year with Wanderers and Auckland City.’’

Away trips to WaiBOP United and Auckland City is a difficult way to start the new season and Johnston sees the next clash as ‘‘season defining’’.

‘‘If we get the win then we will know we are a serious contender but if they get the win then we will know it’s going to be tough, so it’s a massive, massive game for us on the weekend. It was always going to be these two games that would define our season going forward so it’d be good to get them out of the way, hopefully with two wins.’’

In their last meeting, Nelson Marlborough beat Auckland City 4-1 at Trafalgar Park, while Auck- land City won their only previous encounter 3-0 in the early 2014 season final.

Auckland City are coached by former New Zealand under-17 coach Jose Figuera who was controversially replaced ahead of the world cup and Johnston said he would relish the opportunity to come up against one of the league’s most astute tacticians.

‘‘You look at his credentials; he’s been in professional environments, he’s won this youth league before with Auckland City and he’s coached Central United. He’s an incredible coach and he’s probably the most qualified coach in this league, so for me personally it’s a big ask and a big battle but I’m confident in what I’m doing and I’m sure he is too.’’

Sunday’s match kicks off at the Croatian Club in Auckland at 2pm.