Oxtoby joins 100 club

The number of squad members who have played 100 or more matches for Wairarapa United's premier football side has increased to four.

Defender James Oxtoby reached the three-figure mark in the central league match with Western Suburbs on Anzac Day, a milestone previously attained by Carl Shailer, Aaron Spierling and Pita Rabo.

Wairarapa United coach Phil Keinzley said Oxtoby was one of those players who seldom grabbed the headlines but could always be relied on to give 100 per cent.

"He's never been a flashy player but he's as tough as they come, he never takes a backward step."

A hamstring injury suffered in that Wests game had Oxtoby listed as a doubtful starter against Petone last weekend but he took the field and came through with flying colours in a 2-0 win which took Wairarapa United to a clear lead on the central league points table.

Chances are he will be in the starting line-up again when Wairarapa United meet Tawa in Tawa on Saturday although the arrival of Team Wellington's Tim Schaeffers does complicate the selection process to some extent. He, too, is a specialist defender and will be competing for a starting spot with regulars Oxtoby, Nathan Cooksley and Waisake Sabatu.

Whether midfielder Miroslav Tvaroh will be fit for the Tawa match after injuring an ankle against Petone is unclear. He took no part in Tuesday night's training session and if he is rested it is likely either Cooksley or Spierling will move into his role.

The success of the premier side has had a positive effect on the number of players seeking places in United's seconds team which contests the Capital fourth division competition. Keinzley said it was now normal for 19 to 20 players to turn up for training, a huge improvement on previous years.