Wairarapa United were always likely to find Lower Hutt City a handful in their Central League football match at Howard Booth Park in Carterton on Sunday, and their task has just become harder.
Earlier this week, Lower Hutt City scored a shock 3-1 win over competition leaders Wellington Olympicin a catch-up game and will travel over the Rimutakas full of confidence.
Not that confidence was likely to be any problem for them - the last time they played Wairarapa United they came away 5-1 victors.
"They (LHC) will be tough, very tough," Wairarapa United coach Phil Keinzley said yesterday. "They seem to enjoy playing us and that win over Olympic will have them buzzing. It's set to be a cracker."
Keinzley was pleased with the all-round effort of Wairarapa United in their 4-2 beating of Wellington United last weekend but was quick to emphasise their defensive structure, in particular, will be more seriously tested on Sunday.
"Wellington United had their moments but we can expect Lower Hutt to be a lot more clinical in their finishing. We have to be in their faces all the way through."
The superb form shown by goalkeeper Matt Borren is a huge plus for Wairarapa United. He was the star in the 2-1 win over Napier City Rovers in the Chatham Cup third round and just as impressive against Wellington United.
The assertiveness of skipper Adam Cowan and Nathan Cooksley on defence has also been a bonus for Wairarapa United while others to shine in that area include Carl Shailer, Alssney Cissoko, Miroslav Tvaroh and newcomer Brian Kalteck, whose versatility could again see him play at fullback and striker during the course of Sunday's match.
Wairarapa United will be relying on pacy pair Seule Soromon and Charles Francois Mallman to keep Lower Hutt's defence on their toes. Soromon seems back to his best and has been scoring goals regularly while Mallman is the ideal foil, being just as effective with his distribution skills as his ability to find the back of the net.
