United hold on for draw

Sam Mason-Smith (left) hammers home Wairarapa United's second goal. PHOTO/CHRIS KILFORD.

WAIRARAPA United had only themselves to blame for not picking up the maximum three points from their Central League football match with Wellington Olympic at Memorial Park, Masterton on Sunday.

A 3-all draw might seem an acceptable result against such formidable opposition but that was not the case here.

The old adage of "game of two halves" certainly rang true in this one. While it could hardly be said that Wairarapa United dominated the first 45 minutes because territory and possession were about evenly shared, their finishing was so much better than that of Olympic they fully deserved their 3-1 advantage.

Their first two goals, in particular, were spectacular affairs.

Number one came from a movement which swept at least half the length of the field and involved some smart inter-play between Callum Elliott, Adam Cowan and Sam Mason-Smith, with the latter's header providing the perfect final touch.

Number two was a brilliant strike from all of 20 metres out by Mason-Smith.

The third goal wasn't too bad either, Elliott being adjudged the scorer after a melee in front of the Olympic goal.

It came on the end of some impressive attacking play by Wairarapa United, featuring a couple of the latest recruits to their squad, Tam DiMario and Godwin Addai.

The brittleness of the Olympic defence suggested the obvious tactic for Wairarapa United in the second half was to place the emphasis on attack with the idea of building an unassailable advantage on the scoreboard.

As it happened, however, they seemed content to allow the visitors to control possession for long periods and whether it was by design or not they paid a heavy price for it, Wellington Olympic scoring two goals to level the score, and going mighty close to another couple of others as well.

In the absence of player-coach Paul Ifill, who was sidelined with injury, the onus fell on Mason-Smith to provide most of the thrust up front and he responded splendidly to that challenge.

It was just a pity that he was not given more opportunities to demonstrate his skills in the second half, and the same could be said of DiMario who constantly bemused and confused the Olympic defence with the cleverness of his ball skills in the first spell but had precious little chance to do the same in the second.

Youngster Elliott also made a favourable impression with his willingness to do the hard yards on attack and defence and while Cory Chettleburgh blotted his copybook by being red carded in the closing minutes his work rate was probably without equal in this particular game.

In other Central League games played over the weekend, the previously unbeaten Stop Out were upset 2-1 by Miramar Rangers, Western Suburbs hammered Wellington United 6-1, Napier City Rovers beat Petone 4-0, and Palmerston North Marist drew 3-all with Lower Hutt City.