By Kelvin Wescombe www.asbpremiership.co.nz

PALMERSTON NORTH – The search for points gets tougher for YoungHeart Manawatu as unbeaten defending champions Waitakere United roll into Palmerston North eager for another victory this Sunday.

Waitakere United are red-hot favourites with three wins from three matches and an undefeated record in the OFC Champions League.

Neil Emblen’s team also comes into the match after a morale-boosting 3-1 derby win over cross-city rivals Auckland City but may struggle without the vastly experiencedmidfielder Martin Bullock.                                                                     
With Bullock injured, all eyes will be on veteran Waitakere United midfielder Neil Sykes, who will clock up his 100th career appearance in the ASB Premiership.

The former Auckland City midfielder has endured a stop-start beginning to the new season due to injury and suspension, but is on target to join Adam Cowan, Chad Coombes and Grant Young as members of an elite ‘100 cap’ club.

With Sykes looking to celebrate a personal milestone with a win, YoungHeart Manawatu is still chasing its first points of the season.

An inexperienced YoungHeart Manawatu although not outclassed in their two outings, still remain rooted to the bottom of the table goalless and without a point.

Coach Bob Sova will be looking to build off a strong defensive performance against second placed Canterbury last week and hope that handing debuts to a clutch of youngsters yields points sooner rather than later.

One player who stood out last week was goalkeeper Matt Borren, the former number two to Chris Marsh and Ross Nicholson, underlining his readiness for the step up in status.

YoungHeart’s own ASB Premiership centurion Adam Cowan and the vastly experienced Jason Hayne will again be vital to the home side’s hopes of taking something tangible from the match.

The action gets underway at Memorial Park, Palmerston North, on Sunday 21 November, 2010, at 2pm.