Football
A United win tomorrow would strike a positive note on two chords.An invigorated Wairarapa United squad should give Miramar Rangers a whale of a game in their Central League match at Dave Farrington Park, Miramar, tomorrow.
Not only have Wairarapa United spirits been given a timely boost by their 3-1 win over defending league champions Napier City Rovers at Napier last weekend but news they have leapfrogged from fifth to third on the points table, after being awarded the maximum three points from their 3-3 draw with Western Suburbs three weeks back, has also added a spring to their step.
The decision was made after Wests were found to have fielded an unregistered player and means Wairarapa United now sit on 10 points, equal with Wests and behind the two unbeaten sides, Wellington Olympic (18) and Miramar Rangers (16). The difference between the leading pair is that Olympic have won six from six while Miramar Rangers have had five wins and a draw.
More good news for Wairarapa United is that the injury clouds which were over two of their better performers this season, fullback Esava Nqeleca and midfielder Miroslav Tvaroh, have lifted and they seem likely to take their places in the starting line-up.
Nqeleca and Tvaroh have well-deserved reputations for the aggressiveness of their defence, and against a Miramar Rangers combination who have been in good scoring form this season - thanks in the main to an ex-Wairarapa United player in Paul Ryder - their hard-nosed attitude is likely to be required in big doses.
Ryder is not the only player in the Miramar Rangers team who wore the Wairarapa United colours last season.
Fullback Tim Schaeffers and goalkeeper Phil Imray also did. Imray, in particular, promises to be a thorn in their side tomorrow.
He is a custodian of the highest quality, although it has to be said Wairarapa United have a proven performer in Mark Borren in that vital role, as well.
Tactically, it is extremely likely that Wairarapa United will look to utilise the short-passing game which served them so well against Napier City Rovers to break open the Miramar Rangers defence and allow talented front runners such as Charles Mann, Seule Soromon and George Jermy to cut loose on a regular basis.
Mann scored a couple of excellent goals in the fixture against Napier and his ability to be in the right place at the right time complements the natural flair the other two possess.
A Wairarapa United win tomorrow would strike a positive note on two chords, first it would enhance their chances of a first Central League title and, secondly, it would give them a psychological edge over Miramar Rangers going into their Chatham Cup elimination match, also at Dave Farrington Park, on Queen's Birthday Monday.