Odds stacked against Wairarapa United

Football

Wairarapa United's record of not having lost a game at their home venue of Howard Booth Park in Carterton for more than a year will be in jeopardy when they meet Petone in a Central League football match there on Sunday.

After all the crushing 8-0 defeat suffered at the feet of Wellington Olympic last weekend will not have done a lot for confidence, and neither will the knowledge that the last time these two teams met, Petone ran out comfortable 3-0 winners.

And then there is the admission by Wairarapa United coach Phil Keinzley he wants to use this game and the season's finale against Upper Hutt City seven days later to give further experience of playing at the higher level to some of the up-and-comers in the Wairarapa seconds team which has already won the Capital third division title. It's an understandable approach but shouldn't that also make the task easier for Petone?

For Keinzley, however, the outlook is anything but all doom and gloom.

He believes the Olympic result might work in his team's favour on Sunday in that it was first-hand proof for Wairarapa United of what can happen when the attitude isn't up to scratch.

"I suppose you could say it was the perfect storm. We played poorly and they played well," Keinzley said. "They wanted it a whole lot more than us and it showed. It's a good lesson"

Keinzley is also optimistic the enthusiasm of the younger players will rub off on those around them.

Whether Wairarapa United will have the services of star striker Seule Soromon won't be decided for another 48 hours or so as he is battling a hamstring injury.

If Soromon is out it is likely youngster Thomas Hemi will join Dale Higham up front while Arnon Tapp will be competing for a midfield berth with Nathan Cooksley, Miroslav Tvaroh and Aaron Speirling. Backs in contention for a starting spot are Carl Shailer, Adam Cowan, Josh Margetts, Bryan Kalteck and Waisake Sabatu.