United set for tough clash

Football

The Central League football match between Wairarapa United and Western Suburbs in Wellington tomorrow should be a cliff-hanger.

Both teams have played the 12 matches to date, with Western Suburbs sitting third on the points table with 23 points from seven wins and two draws, and Wairarapa United one place behind on 21 from six wins and three draws. Western Suburbs have scored 28 goals and conceded 16, while Wairarapa United have scored 26 goals and also conceded 16.

In Wairarapa United's favour is the 2-0 win they recorded in their first round clash, but that was played at their "fortress" at Howard Booth Park in Carterton and can be countered by stats which show Western Suburbs are doubly difficult to beat when playing on their home turf.

Wairarapa United coach Phil Keinzley is well aware of the challenge confronting his side tomorrow. He rates Western Suburbs as a good all-round side and expects them to play a similar style to football to his own team.

"They like to move the ball around and so do we. It should be pretty entertaining stuff."

The fact both teams seem sure to place the emphasis on attack will, of course, mean the tightness of their defensive structures will have a big say in the result, and Wairarapa United will be looking to goalkeeper Matt Borren to continue the outstanding form he has shown over the past month or so. He has been ultra-safe in the air and on the ground, and has set up numerous counter-attacks through the accuracy of his distribution.

Also aiding the Wairarapa United cause defensively has been the willingness of their strikers to do more than their share of work there. Charles Mallman and Seule Soromon have been quick to lend a helping hand in threatening situations, with Mallman's contribution in that area in the 1-1 draw with Lower Hutt City being especially impressive.

Whatever the result of tomorrow's match, however, it is likely to have little effect on the Central League title race, which has developed into a battle between the front-runners, Miramar Rangers (33pts) and Wellington Olympic (29).