Mark Johnston is under no illusion – every game is now a must win.
Despite beating Otago United 1-0, the New Zealand King Salmon Nelson Falcons are still trailing conference leaders Team Wellington by two points, and with only one Southern Conference team qualifying through to the ASB Youth League final, the Falcons captain believes a win against Canterbury United this weekend is vital.
“Yeah after the first round it was pretty obvious that it’s going to be Canterbury, Wellington and us fighting for that top spot. We’ve had our one slip up for the season, against Wellington away, so we’ve just got to take care of business and treat every game like it’s a cup final,” he says.
A second half goal to substitute Ashley Langbein kept Nelson’s unbeaten record at home alive, but it was a game the side had to win if it entertained any thought of meeting the top Northern side next month.
Canterbury are last year’s league champions and were dominant for the majority of the match when it traveled up to Nelson in round one – only to concede two goals in the final five minutes. But Mark says the team has more self belief after winning two of its last three matches and that Canterbury should be worried. “We’ve got nothing to fear now. The boys had a little bit of apprehension in the first match but all that is gone. I know they have to play a catch up game midweek, which helps us out, and we’re going to go there pretty confident. It’s a good surface at ASB Park, so we have no excuses.”
Concerning for the Falcons will be the sight of young defender Harry Tod-Smith going off with a leg injury midway through the second half on Sunday. The Nelson College student is the third centre-back to start alongside his skipper and he’s a player Mark rates as a future star. “He’s really impressed me. He’s only 16 years old and he’s so mature. I certainly think he’s got a big future ahead of him. When Dion [Keetley] came on that was the fourth [centre-back partner] I’ve had. But I think Harry will be the one, he just needs to get himself fit.”
Probably the most exciting player in the Falcons squad has been forward Omar Guardiola, who linked well with fellow Marlborough players Tore Waechter and Taine Swete. “Omar has really impressed me, not only in his natural ability but his tireless work ethic and you saw that today. He just runs even if it’s a lost cause. Those chances he misses, he’s created them himself so you can’t be angry at a guy like that who works so hard.”
Mark says everyone wrote the Falcons off before the start of the season and now that the league is at its halfway stage, teams will be more prepared. “That’s an advantage for them so we’re just going to have to lift to another level. We think we’re heading in the right direction so that’s a positive.”
The Falcons have just one more home match, against Team Wellington on March 9 at Trafalgar Park. The grand final is scheduled for March 17.
