Waitakere United head to the North Shore

Waitakere United has been forced into a move to new surroundings for at least a couple of home games in the NZFC with Fred Taylor Park undergoing some emergency work to repair damage caused by the hot and dry summer months.



Despite the best intentions of council staff, the grass cover at Fred Taylor Park has for the most part died away, resulting in the ground being under sown with a view to being nurtured back to full health for the end of the season.



Waitakere will play their next two home matches on the outer oval at North Harbour Stadium, beginning this Saturday with the match against visitors Waikato FC.



Waitakere Executive Chairman Rex Dawkins says while the situation is not ideal no one will suffer unduly.



“This is not a ‘blame’ situation, it is simply a series of events that have led to the need to find a new ground for a couple of games. It is despite the best intentions of everyone at the council and the club that we are forced to move but it is only a short term measure. The outer oval at North Harbour Stadium will offer a superb playing surface and is easily accessible for spectators and media.”



Meanwhile Waitakere United heads into the business end of the season with a few new names and the departure of some long term injured ones as the NZFC and the O-League loom large over the West Auckland football franchise.



The biggest of the signings is young Fijian international Roy Krishna. The teenage Fijian sensation has signed for the remainder of the NZFC season and will add further depth to Waitakere’s strike power.



Krishna was an impressive performer at the 2007 U20 World Cup qualifying tournament in Auckland, finishing as the tournament leading scorer. He brings pace and a natural eye for goal and can play in an out and out striking role or as an attacking midfielder.



Waitakere United Head Coach Chris Milicich is pleased to be adding such a player at such an important time of the season.



“The schedule for the remainder of the season is quite intense and we will need as much depth as we can muster. Roy will compliment those we already have in the squad but will also put pressure on the incumbents to continue to perform at a high level. It is that competition within the squad that will see us lift our standards further.”



Scott Woodford has earned promotion to the NZFC squad from the Academy squad as has young Denver MacDonald who is now available for both the NZFC and O-League matches.



Departing various squads are Shane Pascoe (long term knee injury) and Matt Cunneen who leaves the NZFC squad but remains available for O-League fixtures