Wairarapa United are just one step away from winning Capital Soccer's premier division title after their 4-2 win over Marist in Wellington yesterday. The local side completes their premier division programme with another match against Marist at home next weekend and a win here will there not only make them premierdivision champions but also give them a shot at qualifying to play in the central league series next season. Should Wairarapa United not pick up any competition points in their return fixture with Marist though they could find themselves overtaken by Tawa who still have three matches to complete and who trail them by eight points. Wins to Tawa in all three of those games would take them to 38 points, one more than Wairarapa United's current tally of 37pts. The decisiveness of the Wairarapa United victory yesterday does suggest, however, that Marist's prospects of beating them at home next weekend are slim at best although Wairarapa United coach Phil Keinzley was quick to say his side would be taking nothing for granted. He said a win to Marist then would keep them out of relegation, something they would be desperate to avoid. "They've got as much to play for as we have so we can't start thinking we are homed and hosed," he said. Keinzley said yesterday's result did not, in fact, reflect the toughness of the battle with Marist making Wairarapa United work hard for everything they got. The physicality of the play was evidenced by Wairarapa United having Andy Robertson sent off for a dangerous tackle 10 minutes into the second half and at least three other players yellow carded. Territorially Marist dominated the early action in the first half but once Wairarapa United settled into their rhythm they started to take at least a semblance of control and went to the halftime break 2-0 up thanks to goals to Sakeo Valevou and Seule Soromon. That lead was increased to 3-0 when Soromon scored again and then Marist opened their account before substitute Kote Maeno netted number four for Wairarapa United. Marist got a consolation goal almost on fulltime but by then the bird had flown. Midfielder Miriek Tvaroh was player of the match for Wairarapa United while others to shine were Waisake Sabutu, Sakeo Valevou and Seule Soromon.
