PORT United midfielder Jake Avery has been a standout performer for the side so far in 2016.
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He’s regularly been one of the best on the park for coach Chris Walsh.
Again he will be important to the Green Bloods’ success when they clash with Port FC on Saturday.
Avery has been pulling the strings for United in the middle of the field and his battle with Troy Hearfield will be the key to the match at Dixie Park.
Whoever wins that battle could go a long way to determining the outcome.
“He has the best touch out of anyone in our side and gets through a mile of work,” Walsh said.
When the two sides last met at Tuffins Lane, FC registered a comprehensive 4-1 victory, but Walsh won’t use that as motivation.
“I believe that result was a product of the wind on the day because they used it to their advantage and we didn’t,” he said.
With the exception of Connor Hughes who is out suspended after receiving a red card for swearing at the referee last week and the holidaying Brendan Prince, Walsh will have a full squad at his disposal.
That will help United as they aim to convert their good performances into points on the board.
“We need to win every game from here before it starts becoming a mathematical equation,” Walsh said.
Port FC coach Mick Brown wants a similar performance from his side to the one he got on Saturday.
He was pleased with the way his side bounced back after they conceded 15 goals in two games.
“We tried a couple of different players and there were a few changes in position,” he said.
In a further positive for the side, Lance Dekker returns from suspension to bolster the midfield.
Brown won’t make wholesale changes.
“The team that played for us last week was good, so we won’t look to make too many changes,” he said.
“We want much of the same from them this week.”
The FC coach remained confident of making it two from two against United.
“If we don’t give away penalties like we did last week it certainly helps,” he said.
“We need to get as many points as possible.”