Ellerslie’s Ponies turning out to be dark horses of the Lotto NRFL first division

posted in: Lotto NRFL, News |

By Jonno Ross

Ellerslie have turned out to be the surprise package in the men’s Lotto NRFL first division and they get an excellent chance to boost their league standing this week.

Here’s our preview of games for the weekend of April 9-10, highlighting those we think will provide top entertainment for the neutral spectator in search of exciting football.

Saturday

Mount Albert Ponsonby (4th) v Ellerslie (2nd)
Anderson Park, Auckland
3pm kick-off

MAP go into this match on the back of a 3-3 thriller with East Coast Bays where half the goals were scored in a crazy last few minutes.

They now face an Ellerslie side that has surprised many league watchers with two wins from two outings.

Many were predicting that Ellerslie would be fighting for their place in the league by late season. Instead, they are fighting this weekend to go top of the league against a Mount Albert team with a dodgy defence.

The Ponies will want to split away from the rest of the herd with another upset and three more points.

Waitemata (8th) v Manurewa (11th)
McLeod Park, Auckland
3pm kick-off

Waitemata will hope to get back to winning ways this weekend after losing last weekend to Ellerslie.

Their aim this week will surely be to tighten their defence which has shipped six goals in two games.

This could be their hardest test yet against pre-season league favourites Manurewa whose league placing does not reflect the quality of players on their team sheet.

Rewa will be eager to find the right team chemistry and hope their new signings will click into form so they can find their first three-pointer this weekend. This game will certainly be interesting to watch.