No complacency for Petone game

Football

Marquis Wairarapa United coach Phil Keinzley says history should guarantee his side have no problems with complacency in their Central League match with Petone at Petone this Saturday.

Wins over the previously unbeaten Wellington Olympic and Miramar Rangers over Queen's Birthday Weekend had Wairarapa United on a high. But Keinzley believes he will have no trouble getting them back to earth at training this week.

"We only need to reflect on what has happened over the past couple of years to rate Petone as a threat ... and I'll be reminding them of that," Keinzley said yesterday.

In 2011 Wairarapa United played Petone - currently four places behind Wairarapa United - just after their memorable Chatham Cup success and the 1-1 draw deprived them of a valuable two points in their hunt for their first Central League title and exactly the same scenario occurred last year when another draw robbed Wairarapa United of vital points at a crucial part of the season.

"They [Petone] have a habit of lifting their effort against us, especially at home," Keinzley said. "They'll come out firing, we know that."

The loss of Dale Higham, who will be on duty with a Junior All Whites preparing for the Under-20 World Cup, will be a blow for Wairarapa United as he has been in outstanding form. But the addition of a new face in Vanuatu international Brian Kalteck has to be a plus.

Higham's place in midfield is likely to be taken by Aaron Spierling while Kalteck will be challenging for a defensive role with the likes of Waisake Sabatu, Josh Margretts and Esava Nqueleca.