"We played like we had been partying all night."
That was the frank assessment from Wairarapa United coach Phil Keinzley after his team's 3-2 loss to Waterside-Karori in their Capital Soccer premier division match played at Howard Booth Park on Sunday.
All five goals, in what was a catch-up game organised after
Wairarapa United's scheduled match with Tawa on Saturday was postponed because of the effects of the wintery weather, were scored in the second half.
Wairarapa United went 1-0 up when Murray Burling netted from the penalty spot after Troy Burling had been brought down by a WK defender.
The visitors then equalised before Wairarapa United again took the lead, Sakeo Valevou heading the ball home from a penalty corner.
A poor clearance from Wairarapa United 'keeper Tony Jamieson led to WK's second goal and what was to be their winning strike was awarded close to fulltime despite the scorer appearing to be in an offside position.
Keinzley said his side had lacked resolve in practically all aspects of the game.
"We were below average all over the pitch. We defended poorly and we attacked poorly," he said.
"It was our worst performance of the season, no doubt about that."
Keinzley admits that WK's recent record which included a win over last year's finalists Marist Palmerston North in a Chatham Cup elimination match suggested they should give Wairarapa United a good run for their money but he said that was no excuse for the manner in which they lost
"They (WK) are a very useful side but we made them look a whole lot better than they are," he said.
"We just never fired up?we played like we had been partying all night."
Only Wairarapa United players to come out of the game with credit were James Oxtoby, Aaron Spierling and Troy Burling.
The loss virtually ends any slight hope Wairarapa United had of winning the premier division title this season but they are still in with a chance of finishing second behind Petone and therefore winning promotion to the central league for 2006.
But for that to happen their fate is no longer in their own hands as it will depend at the very least on Tawa, who currently hold second place, being beaten by both Petone and Wairarapa United.
