One of ?best ever? for United

Phil Keinzley has coached and managed Wairarapa United soccer teams for more years than he would care to remember so when he talks about any performance as "possibly the best ever" you know it's been something special.
And that's how Keinzley labelled Wairarapa United's shock 1-0 win over Stop Out in a second round Chatham Cup elimination match played at Hutt Park on Saturday.
"It would possibly be the best ever win I've seen from a Wairarapa United side?certainly in the top three," he said.
Keinzley's enthusiasm is easy to understand.
Firstly, Stop Out, who are coached by former All White Grant Turner, play in the central league competition, one tier above that of Wairarapa United, which currently lies third in Capital Soccer's premier division series.
Secondly, in form Wairarapa United striker Andy Robertson was forced to move back into the fullback position to cover for star Fijian Sakeo Valevou who was a late withdrawl through injury.
Thirdly, another Fijian Lai Gataurua was called in to replace Robertson and was having his first full game since recovering from a major operation.
Fourthly, talented young substitute Anton Ross rolled an ankle in the warm-ups for the game and was unable to take any active part in proceedings.
And then there was the refereeing. Keinzley, who manages Wairarapa United, has been "ticked off" by officialdom already for this season for daring to publicly criticise the man with the whistle.
But you can read between the lines when he says, "I've been told that if you can't say anything good about the referee then say nothing at all? I'll leave it at that," he said.
While Wairarapa United's win was due to a magnificent team effort nothing impressed more than the tightness of their defence, an area of their game which had a huge question mark over it going into this match.
With Stop Out probably having 60 per cent of possession the onus was on the Wairarapa United defensive unit to lift their effort several notches and Keinzley was delighted with the way they responded to that challenge.
"They (Stop Out) were pushing more and more players up front to try and get the equaliser in the second half but our defence was so tight they hardly had a decent shot on goal all game," Keinzley said.
"We tackled our hearts out and there was no sign of panic, everybody was just so cool, calm and collected."
Wairarapa United by contrast had at least eight prime scoring opportunities through the course of the game and the one which produced what was to be the winning goal came about 30 minutes into the first spell.
Mireck Tvaroh sent a well-judged cross from about halfway to the always alert Pita Rabo and he finished off in fine style.
Tvaroh and Guiseppe Cagliari were towers of strength in midfield for Wairarapa United despite being on the receiving end of some questionable tactics by the Stop Out defence.
"They got hacked several times but they stuck at it, they didn't flinch, Keinzley said.
Robertson also had an outstanding game at fullback and if goalkeeper Tony Jamieson didn't have to make any major saves his distribution skills were excellent.
But as Phil Keinzley says this was a match where all players deserved plaudits for their efforts
"We've been saying all season that potentially this is probably the strongest Wairarapa United men's team yet and so it was great to see them play to that potential," he said.
"It was an oustanding performance?just outstanding.".
The Wairarapa United starting XI was: Tony Jamieson, Carl Shailer, Andy Robertson, Petero Dauniseka, James Oxtoby, Niki Keinzley, Mireck Tvaroh, Guiseppe Cagliari, Aaron Spierling, Pita Rabo, Lai Gataurua.
Just who Wairarapa United will meet in the next round of the Chatham Cup, and where that game would be played, was expected to be known later today.