Wairarapa United come close to toppling Stop Out

Keinzley Agvet Wairarapa United played above expectations in their 2-1 loss to Stop Out when the annual Hilton Petone pre-season soccer tournament got under way in Petone on Sunday.
With Wairarapa United very much in experimental mode and up against a side which plays one tier above them at central league level a comfortable Stop Out victory seemed on the cards but, in the end, they were somewhat fortunate to even win by the one goal.
"We could easily have won ourselves, that's how competitive we were," Wairarapa United spokesman Phil Keinzley said.
Wairarapa United dominated the early stages but despite having a number of shots on goal it was Stop Out who opened the scoring when they found the net from a well-taken free kick.
However, just two minutes later Wairarapa United drew level when new player-coach Pita Rabo scored a brilliant individual goal and at halftime it was still 1-1.
The only goal in the second half came when Wairarapa United 'keeper Tony Jamieson was sent from the field for allegedly fouling an opposition player, the incident occurring when the ball was actually at the opposite end of the field.
Stop Out scored from the resultant penalty but despite Wairarapa United having to move one of their most dangerous attackers, Lai Gataurua, into goalkeeper and having just the 10 men on the paddock Stop Out were unable to increase their lead.
Keinzley was most impressed by the flair and combination of a Wairarapa United attack which had little preparation for the match because most of the pre-season training to date had centred on defensive plays.
"We hadn't done a lot of work with the midfield or the forward line so for them to play so well against such quality opposition was very encouraging,' he said. "I wouldn't know exactly how many shots at goal we had but it seemed like as many as we had for practically the whole of last season!"
Rabo led by example for Wairarapa United. Playing in the midfield he set up most of their most dangerous attacks and his goal was a cracker by any standards.
Fellow Fijians Sakeo Valevou , Petero Dauniseka and Gataurua also stood out with Valevou and Dauniseka working hard and effectively on both attack and defence and Gataurua demonstrating his versatility with a sound performance in goal.
This coming Sunday will see Wairarapa United continue their Hilton Petone programme with a match against Miramar Rangers, and Keinzley said the side was looking forward to playing one of the strongest sides in the country.
"Obviously noone will be expecting us to win but you couldn't get much better from a learning viewpoint, and that's the object at this stage of the season," he said.