Midfield mastery sees United advance

Player-coach Paul Ifill, who scored the winning goal for Wairarapa United in their Chatham Cup fixture against Western Suburbs. PHOTO/FILE

KEINZLEY Agvet Wairarapa United are through to the next round of the Chatham Cup.

In what player-coach Paul Ifill has described as the best display in his time as coach, United dispatched Western Suburbs 2-1 on Monday, with goals to Sam Mason-Smith and Ifill.

However, they had to come from behind again, with Western Suburbs opening the scoring in the first 10 minutes.

Mason-Smith continued his prolific goal-scoring form, with a volley from the edge of the box, evening the scores five minutes later.

Ifill slotted a penalty after 29 minutes to complete the goal scoring action.

Ifill was delighted with the result and singled out central defender Taylor Hall-Jones, who was a late injury replacement for the injured Martin Canales, and right-back Alex Cox as having outstanding games and marking the dangerous Noah Billinsgley out of the game.

Ifill said the platform was set by the midfield of Godwin Addai, Tim Fenton and Cory Chettleburgh, who were excellent and controlled the tempo throughout.

He believes the match could be the turning point in the season and if they can put together a run of wins they can challenge for the Chatham Cup and Central League.

United's next fixture is a home match against Stop Out, scheduled for Memorial Park at 3pm this Sunday.

Women's

Knockout CupThe gulf between the Women's Central League and the Capital Premier League was cruelly exposed in Wairarapa United's 7-0 loss to Palmerston North Marist on Monday.

United, who lead the Capital Premier League, held Marist, who are second in the Central League, to 3-0 until the final 10 minutes. Their lack of fitness was then exposed and Marist scored four late goals for what coach Phil Keinzley described as an embarrassing loss.

Although he said the scoreline wasn't a true reflection of the game, Keinzley was scathing of the United effort saying they "didn't turn up, froze, were overawed, didn't play football and lost composure".

He said "it was good wake-up call" with important games to come in the Capital Premier League, including two against one of the league favourites Petone, who defeated Palmerston North Marist in a playoff match last season.

Capital divisionsDouglas Villa slumped to bottom of Capital 2 with a 3-2 away loss to Waterside Karori Cougars on Saturday. They are three points adrift of Wellington United Reserves and Lower Hutt City.

The Wairarapa United seconds remain in third place in Capital 3, despite an understrength team going down 4-3 to Victoria University Stallions on Sunday.