A sizzling second half goal by striker Seule Soromon gave Wairarapa United a deserved 1-0 win over Napier City Rovers in a feisty Central League football match played at Howard Booth Park, Carterton on Saturday.
Soromon looked blocked for space when he received the ball about 30m out but somehow worked into the clear and his powerful shot rocketed high into the back of the net.
It was a goal worthy of a game which lined up last year's Chatham Cup grand finalists in Palmerston North again. And on that occasion, Wairarapa United prevailed too, that time 2-1.
The similarities didn't end there either as Soromon also scored his team's first then too.
The two matches were similar in that while Wairarapa United were on top and created the greater number of scoring opportunities, Napier City Rovers were always competitive enough to harbour hopes of victory themselves.
The visitors, obviously hurting from the previous weekend's loss to Petone, were certainly up for the challenge.
They adopted a physical approach both on and off the ball, and with Wairarapa United being prepared to fight with fire, tempers did get rather frayed at times.
Fortunately, it never quite got to boiling point and the standard of play was remarkably high for so early in the season. Neither team troubled the scorers in the first half but both had golden opportunities to do so, Wairarapa United more so than Napier City Rovers.
Twice Soromon found acres of space with the defence fully stretched and each time Napier City Rovers held him out through the astute covering of skipper Bill Robertson, who was a prime contender for the player of the match award.
Soromon also provided the perfect through ball for fellow striker Paul Ryder to test the capabilities of Napier City Rovers goalkeeper Shaun Peta and he was equal to the task.
Napier City Rovers, for their part, had the misfortune of hitting the woodwork, while another attack ended with Wairarapa United goalkeeper Richard Gillespie diving and stopping the ball right on the line.
While Soromon's magnificent effort was the only goal of the second half, both teams again had their share of scoring chances.
However, a combination of rushed shooting and desperate defence saw no further addition to the scoreline.
Outstanding for Wairarapa United were Pita Rabo and Nathan Cooksley, both of whom got through huge work in attack and defence, while Adam Cowan made up for a relatively quiet first half by making several penetrating runs in the second.
There was a lot to admire too about the surety of Gillespie and Waisake Sabatu in tight defensive situations and the opportunism of Soromon up front.
Robertson was clearly the standout for Napier City Rovers.
Wairarapa United now have a draw and win from their opening two games and continue their Central League programme against Western Suburbs at Whitby on Wednesday.