Little wonder Wairarapa United coach Phil Keinzley is wary of predicting victory for his side in their Capital Soccer premier division match with Western Suburbs to be played under lights in Porirua tonight.
Keinzley has coached Wairarapa United teams in several matches against Western Suburbs over the years, and has yet
to experience a win over them in that role.
Last season, for example, they met twice in Capital division one games for two draws, and four years ago when Wairarapa United were playing in the premier division, Western Suburbs were the only team they did not beat on at least one occasion.
It's not as if Western Suburbs have not been playing well this season either. Currently they sit fourth on the premier division table, two spots behind Wairarapa United.
Then there is match preparation. With basically all of their home games being played under lights on Friday nights, Western Suburbs are used of coping with the different conditions prevalent then.
But for Wairarapa United there will be the added hassle of players having to get off work early, changing their eating habits and, of course, getting accustomed to the lighing at the Porirua grounds.
Despite these concerns Keinzley is confident his side have the character and resolve to rise above them, and come up with the win which will keep them well in contention for competition honours.
The starting line-up had not been confirmed at the time these notes were penned but Keinzley was pleased to report that problems over Guiseppe Cagliari's eligibility to play for his side had been overcome, with Soccer New Zealand ruling that he was not an "import" player.
Cagliari has been one of the stars for Wairarapa United this season, but he has rib injuries and may be used off the bench this weekend.
Another player who could be spelled because of injury is experienced defender Robbie Bull, who suffered a broken toe in his team's unlucky 1-0 loss to Petone in a Chatham Cup elimination game.
The good news for Wairarapa United is that prolific goal scorer Lai Gataurua is available for selection, after missing the Petone game through suspension, and there is a chance too that promising youngster Aaron Spierling,who was on the bench in the Petone game, will start this time, probably at left fullback.
