Wairarapa United now sit on 10 points, the same as Western Suburbs but Wairarapa shade them on goal difference. Ahead of them are Wellington Olympic on 18 and Miramar Rangers on 16 while below them are Petone 9, Upper Hutt City 8, Napier City Rovers 7, Lower Hutt 5 and cellar-dwellers Wellington United and Tawa, with one.
Wairarapa United coach Phil Keinzley said the extra two points for his side were a huge assist in their bid for their first Central League title.
"Obviously, we still have quite a bit of ground to make up on the two leaders but they are definitely not yet out of sight ... it's clearly given us a better chance of pulling them back," he said. "It's all about stringing wins together, that's the test for us now."
This Saturday gives Wairarapa United a royal opportunity to enhance their league title prospects even further as they take on second-placed Miramar Rangers at Dave Farrington Park.
With Miramar Rangers having won five of their matches to date, and drawn the other, and having an excellent record on their home ground they will start firm favourites but that doesn't worry Keinzley, who believes his side is capable of an upset if they can replicate their first-half form over the full 90 minutes from the 3-1 win over Napier City Rovers last weekend.
"That first half was outstanding but we did drop off a bit in the second and we will be history if we do that against a team like Miramar - we have to go full steam the whole way," Keinzley said.
The return from injury of Esava Naqeleca is a boost for Wairarapa United and he will be competing for a place in the starting line-up with two regular defenders Josh Margretts and Waisake Sabutu. Further good news is that Miroslav Tvaroh, who would be a strong contender for any player of the season award thus far, is back to full fitness and seems sure to start in midfield.
