United's attacking game takes hit

Football

Pride will be at stake when Marquis Wairarapa United and Napier City Rovers do battle in a Central League football fixture at Howard Booth Park, Carterton, on Sunday.

Both teams are out of the running for the league title but so keen has their rivalry been over the years they will still be pulling out all stops on this occasion.

Adding spice to the match will be the controversy which saw Wairarapa United disqualified from the Chatham Cup competition earlier this season.

It was Napier City Rovers who first initiated the protest against Wairarapa United fielding an ineligible player after the latter had won their third round fixture 2-1.

Not that Napier City Rovers gained much from that success, losing to Palmerston North Marist next time up.

Missing from Wairarapa United on Sunday will be their French connection. Alssney Cissoko is suspended after receiving two yellow cards in the disappointing 5-3 loss to Western Suburbs last weekend and Charles Mallman has an hamstring injury.

Cissoko and Mallman have been two of United's most outstanding performers and their absence will weaken attack.

However, it will also provide an opportunity for coach Phil Keinzley to start Vanuatu international Brian Kalteck up front and to perhaps have promising youngsters Arnon Tapp and Jamie McMaster in the starting line-up.