By David Gearey / www.asbpremiership.co.nz

NAPIER - Hawke's Bay United and Team Wellington will look to springboard out of reach of their play-off rivals when the two teams meet in the ASB Premiership at Bluewater Stadium on Sunday.

The home side haven’t lost since the opening round and will look to continue that form when they host Team Wellington.

Hawke's Bay's Matt Chandler would have welcomed the weekend off last week to let some key players recover from niggling injuries that has forced him to use 20 players in his match day squads since the start of the season.

Team Wellington however would have preferred continuous games as they have come into some goal scoring form of late with back to back wins over Waikato and Otago respectively. 

They found the net six times in those matches and they are now hitting their straps prior to the end of the year break with striker John Sutherland in red hot form.

Karl Whalen, Captain of Team Wellington  notched up his 100 ASB Premiership appearance against Otago and he knows how important it is for his side to continue their form heading into the short break.

“This league is very tight and if we really want to be in the top few teams, we must earn the right to be up there by getting some consistency in our results” 

“But to be fair we are a very new squad compared to the 'TW' of old. Just like a Mainland cheese, good things take time."

“Now it’s about us trusting our style of play and putting the hard work in, to ensure we continue to improve” , Whalen said. 

Hawke's Bay will again be without key players like Leon Birnie who is awaiting scan results on an injured foot and American import Dan O'Brien underwent surgery during the week to remove his appendix.  The return to full fitness of Jarrod Smith however will be seen as a great advantage for the Bay side.

One player that has been consistently in form for Hawke's Bay is centre back Bill Robertson.  He has been dominant in and around his defensive zone and his side are still to concede on the road.  The former Canterbury captain knows clean sheets now need to be obtained on home soil.

“I always try to perform consistently, and as a central defender I believe it’s essential for the team that I do so”

“Our defensive record away from home has been excellent, and in order to achieve a top four finish it is vital we start to keep those clean sheets at home and make Bluewater Stadium a difficult place for opponents to score goals and pick up points," Robertson said.

With Park Island's Bluewater Stadium continuing its trend the forecast for this weekend is for sun, goals and action aplenty. Kick off on Sunday is at the earlier time of 1pm.