PREVIEW: UNDERGROUND v 2013 Orcas

An exciting match is instore - the victors will secure their first win of the season, while a loss will consign them to outright last in the Major League.

HEAD TO HEAD: Played 1, Underground 1, Orcas 0

LAST TIME: Underground 4 : Orcas 2

MISSING IN ACTION: Sam Foster, Charles Chu and Andrew Dunn are all unavailable for a second consecutive week but should return over the next few weeks to the imminent relief of captain Ryan Hodgson. Tim De Beer is also unavailable for the crucial clash, with brother Byron replacing him in the defensive role. Liam Winn returns for a second consecutive week and will help add some height to the defence.

FORM: Underground have made a typically rusty start to their 2013 Major League campaign. Having conceded eight goals in two games, the orange-and-blacks are sitting at the foot of the table on goal difference. Last week's result, a 1-3 loss to bitter rivals Hillsborough Re-United, was their second consecutive match where they scored the opening goal only to be overhauled and overtaken.

Orcas also lost to Hillsborough, but showed some resolve in their 2-3 loss. They backed it up a week later with a 0-3 loss to West City, an intriguing team who have won one, lost two so far in the NZCFA.

WE THINK: It will take some effort from Underground to secure victory, but with two weeks of experience under their belts it is certainly not out of the question. While their defence has been questionable, their attacking players have certainly created a number of opportunities only for poor finishing to get in their way.

With Byron de Beer at the back and the reliable Andy Speir in goal, you can expect to see another improved performance that could spell too much for the Orcas. They might have a number of new players and defeated Underground in a shootout as part of the seven-a-side competition, but that won't be any indication of Saturday's clash. Underground by 2.

Underground (4-5-1):

                              LONG

BEN                                                     ANTHONY
               LIAM                    ANDREW
                               RYAN

JONO                                                     CALEB
                BYRON           LIAM W

                               ANDY

Reserves: Nathan Dawson, Joseph Cottle, Matiu Workman.