Football
Wairarapa United coach Phil Keinzley was not mincing words after his team's 5-3 loss to Western Suburbs in their Central League fixture in Wellington on Saturday.
The defeat ruined any chance Wairarapa United might have had of making a late run for the league title and Keinzley said they only had themselves to blame for that situation.
"We let ourselves down, the discipline was shocking. We got into a winning position and blew it. There can be absolutely no excuse for that sort of thing, none at all."
Western Suburbs, who now sit a clear third on the points table with 26 points, five ahead of fourth-placed Wairarapa United, went out to a 2-0 lead courtesy of some sloppy defensive play by the visitors but Wairarapa United got one back to trail 2-1 at the interval. And with Western Suburbs having had a player sent off just before half-time the tide seemed to be turning in their favour.
Keinzley said both sides had been guilty of constantly "chipping" the match officials and each other during the opening 45 minutes and the message to his side during the break was to focus on playing football.
"We had the winning of the game, it was just a matter of staying composed and keeping the mouths shut. Discipline was the key."
From 2-1 down Wairarapa United rocketed out to a 3-2 lead in the second spell and, even though they lost the services of Alssney Cissoko when he picked up his second yellow card of the match, victory was theirs for the taking. Unfortunately, however, the message to keep their cool was not heeded and a mix of ill discipline and more shoddy defensive work allowed Western Suburbs to add three further goals to their tally without reply.
"Quite honestly the on-field behaviour was embarrassing ... and that was from both teams," Keinzley said. "It was petulant stuff, the officials actually did a good job and didn't deserve half of what they got."
Nathan Cooksley and Miroslav Tvaroh were about the only Wairarapa United players to come through the game with their reputations unscathed. Goal scorers were Seule Soromon, Brian Kalteck and Dale Higham.
Central league competition points are: Miramar Rangers 34, Wellington Olympic 32, Western Suburbs 26, Wairarapa United 21, Lower Hutt City 19, Petone 19, Napier City Rovers 19, Upper Hutt City 15, Wellington United 4 and Tawa 1.
Meanwhile, the Wairarapa United seconds have regained the lead in the Capital third division competition after their 2-1 win over NW Inglorious White Socks on Sunday and, what's more, they have played one game less than their nearest rivals Victoria University.
Points are: Wairarapa United 32, Petone Armanis 31, Victoria University 30, Waterside Karori Cougars 26, Petone 19, Gardner Electrical Masterton 16, White Swan Greytown 12, Marist 11, Wainuiomata 9 and NW Inglorious White Socks 8.