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Borren looking to restore pride

Keeping goals conceded to a minimum will be the aim of YoungHeart Manawatu goalkeeper Matt Borren if his team want to restore respectability against Canterbury United in the national league at Christchurch tomorrow.

 

Manawatu were thrashed 7-2 at home by Waitakere United last week, so they need to turn their form around if they don't want a repeat of their 4-0 first-round loss to Canterbury.

 

Borren wants an all-round improvement on the Waitakere effort.

 

"After the game it's pretty disappointing when people ask you how you've gone and you know personally that you let in seven goals against Waitakere," he said. "It's hard."

 

He said this weekend was a good chance to restore some pride.

 

"That's probably one of our main goals; going out there after Christmas and getting a few points on the board."

 

He played every game for YoungHeart last year but missed the first game this season when Rhyss Keane was given the nod. Borren has since made the position his own and has had some busy moments in front of goal keeping shots out.

 

"I'm pretty happy with where I'm at. Everything's sweet, those sorts of things. During practice we do quite a lot of point-blank saves and reactions."

 

He said they would be doing their best in Christchurch, but it would be tough.

 

"We need to play for a full 90 minutes, no lapses and try not to give the ball away."

 

Manawatu haven't kept a clean sheet this season, conceding 26 goals, including the seven against Waitakere, but it hasn't just been Borren's fault. The team too often give the ball away in key areas on the pitch.

 

YoungHeart coach Stu Jacobs expected Canterbury to play a physical game and said they knew what to expect after their first game in October.

 

"We kind of know what they've got and they've had some good results themselves," he said. "They're never an easy side to play and to have to play them on an artificial pitch, that's going to add another thing in their favour."

 

Jacobs said they had to go in with a positive attitude and hope things would change.

 

Manawatu will field a similar side to last week's, but Stu Lawrie may not be available due to a groin strain, and Matt Kennedy has a family commitment.

 

For Canterbury, Dan Terris and Jeremy Wild are injured, Antony Cibilich has been replaced, Nick Wortelboer is unavailable and Cole Peverley is suspended.

 

Canterbury are unbeaten in their past four games against Manawatu with three wins and a draw. YoungHeart's last win in Christchurch was a 1-0 win in 2008.