Wairarapa United down Rovers

An impressive first-half effort was the catalyst to Wairarapa United scoring an important 3-1 win over defending champions Napier City Rovers in their Central League football match at Park Island, Napier, on Sunday.

Their 2-1 advantage at halftime did not do justice to Wairarapa United's superiority over the first 45 minutes, with coach Phil Keinzley delighted with the clinical manner in which they built their attacks.

"We had talked a lot about holding on to the ball for long periods and we did that," Keinzley said. "And we worked hard off the ball too, we had guys constantly running into space and keeping their defenders guessing. We had plenty of shots at goal ... their keeper was kept very busy and actually did a good job. We finished the half with two goals, but probably should have had four or five on the run of play."

The second half saw Napier City Rovers push more players forward as they sought to take the momentum away from Wairarapa United and while the only goal of that spell was scored by Wairarapa United with just a few minute remaining their tactics did even up the exchanges.

"They certainly lifted their performance and there were times when we were under pressure, but we managed to hang in there," Keinzley said. "It's always hard to get points at Napier so we're pretty happy with the end result."

Two of the Wairarapa United goals were scored by one of their new recruits, striker Charles Mann who always looked dangerous in attacking situations, with George Jermy netting the other.

New Zealand under-20 rep Dale Higham was another Wairarapa United player to shine, often using his pace to cause panic stations in the Napier City Rovers defence, while Adam Cowan and Nathan Cooksley had strong games as well. The versatile Cowan was played at centre back and was not only safe on defence but linked well with his midfield in attacking forays.

Wairarapa United now sit fifth-equal on the Central league points table. Up front are unbeaten Wellington Olympic on 18 points then Miramar Rangers 16, Western Suburbs 11, Petone 9, Wairarapa United and Upper Hutt City 8, Napier City Rovers 7, Lower Hutt City 5 and Wellington United and Tawa, 1.

The next two weeks will very much decide how Wairarapa United's 2013 season will be rated.

They face Miramar Rangers at Miramar in a Central League match on Saturday and then at Queen's Birthday Weekend will play Wellington Olympic in a league game at Howard Booth Park on the Saturday and Miramar Rangers in a Chatham Cup elimination match - at Miramar - on the Monday.