Composure will be a key word in the Wairarapa United strategy for their Capital Soccer premier division match with Lower Hutt City at Lower Hutt tomorrow.
Their shock 1-0 win over central league side Stop Out in a Chatham Cup second round match last weekend will see Wairarapa United installed as
firm favourites but team officials make no secret of their respect for a Lower Hutt City side which sits just three points below them on the premier division competition table.
And no wonder when you consider that two of their three wins this season have come against two of the higher-rated sides in Waterside Karori and Island Bay United.
The danger for Wairarapa United is they will be coerced by their opposition into playing a helter-skelter style of soccer.
That would suit Lower Hutt City who have a young and enthusiastic side who are at their best when the play becomes scrappy and unorganised.
"We need to play the game at our pace, composure will be crucial," Wairarapa United manager Phil Keinzley said. "We have to keep our structure otherwise we could be in big trouble."
Keinzley is hopeful his team's win over Stop Out will be a turning point of the 2007 season.
While he has always been adamant they have the potential to win the premier division title he has also been concerned that all too often they have played to the level of their opponents rather than showing their true potential.
"We've tended to play well against the better teams and average against those not so good?we need to get the situation where we are playing well all the time," he said.
Adding to the importance of success for Wairarapa United tomorrow is that the two teams above them on the premier division points table, Petone and Tawa, are drawn against each other and if leaders Petone win Wairarapa United could leap into a clear second in the championship.
