Late goal leaves United to rue lost opportunity

Football

Wairarapa United coach Phil Keinzley was a somewhat frustrated character after his side's 2-1 loss to Upper Hutt on Saturday.

"We did everything we could to get a result but things just didn't go our way," Keinzley said. "This was a way better performance than last weekend but in the end a few decisions and a very late goal cost us."

United took an early lead when Dale Higham slotted home a penalty but then had another goal disallowed after a marginal offside decision.

Upper Hutt equalised early in the second half, also from the penalty spot, before heading home the winning goal in the last seconds of the game from a corner kick.

United's two centre backs Waisake Sabatu and Esava Naqeleca had strong games as well as midfielders Miroslav Travoh and Dale Higham but the team effort was disrupted through injuries to newcomers and key members of the team. Jorge De La Torre suffered a season-threatening injury to his collarbone and shoulder and playmaker George Jermy left the field with a leg injury.

Keinzley was left to rue what might have been in the game as well as the five-point lead table-toppers Miramar Rangers and Wellington Olympic have already opened up at the top of the Central League.

Meanwhile in the Capital Two league, Douglas Villa bounced back from last week's loss to thump Upper Hutt City 6-2 at Chanel College on Saturday. Villa went a goal down early in the game but from then on made the most of their attacking opportunities to run out comfortable winners.

The teams went to the break at 2-2 but then Villa took control and ran in four unanswered goals.

"We had a serious team talk at half time because we knew this game could be ours," said Villa coach Troy Burling. "The final result was awesome, fully deserved and pushes us up to fourth on the table."

The Capital Three table has a healthy look about it as far as Wairarapa teams are concerned. White Swan Greytown top the division with four points from two games after their 2-2 away draw at North Wellington while Gardner Electrical Masterton lie second on the table, also with four points, after drawing 2-2 with Wainuiomata at Hullena Park.