A blistering second half performance saw Wairarapa United secure a crucial 3-0 win over Tawa in their Central League football match played at Howard Booth Park, Carterton, on Saturday.
Needing a victory to keep their hopes of taking out the league title for the very first time intact, Wairarapa United cannot have been on good terms with themselves when they they went to the halftime break level pegging at 0-0.
To say it was a lacklustre first 45 minutes from Wairarapa United would be an understatement. Yes, they did have an edge in territory and possession but passes all too often went astray and a couple of prime scoring opportunities were "bombed".
And while Tawa too were struggling to get any fluency into their game they did look dangerous enough on the counter attack to suggest success was anything but a foregone conclusion for the home side.
Fortunately for Wairarapa United, however, they significantly upped the ante in the second half and were excellent value for the three splendid goals they scored.
In fact, so precise were they in both their attacking and defensive play there were times when Tawa must have wished they could bring a second ball on to the field just so they could get a feel of it.
The first Wairarapa United goal came when striker Pita Rabo latched on to a high cross and headed the ball expertly into the back of the net. Minutes later he did exactly the same, only for that goal to be disallowed for offside play.
Moving Adam Cowan from the midfield to striker in the second half paid rich dividends for Wairarapa United. He scored goal number two when he found himself in open space in front of the Tawa goal and calmly slotted the ball past the 'keeper and then added another when he went aerial to head home a well-judged high pass from James Oxtoby.
Cowan's influence on attack must have provided food for thought for Wairarapa United coach Phil Keinzley. He constantly troubled the Tawa defence with his deceptive turn of speed and clever ball skills and there was an impressive efficiency about his finishing work.
Cowan was, however, by no means the only Wairarapa United player to make a positive impact on attack in that memorable second half. Fellow striker Rabo was all cut and thrust as well and once again demonstrated his remarkable elevation when constantly winning ball in the air.
There were numerous strong surging runs from both Dale Higham and Carl Shailer on the flanks and the more the game progressed the more Nathan Cooksley and Miroslav Tvaroh pressed forward from the midfield, giving the attack extra impetus as a consequence.
The debut effort of Fijian international Esava Naqeleca in a defensive role for Wairarapa United was always going to attract special interest and he did not disappoint. His distribution skills were always evident, as was his ability to be at the right place at the right time whenever Tawa threatened. Throw in his willingness to contest strongly for high ball and his was an encouraging first appearance in Wairarapa United colours.
Douglas Villa caused an upset in Capital second division play when they beat higher-placed Stop Out 2-1 to move to fifth-equal on the points table, while in Capital third division Gardner Electrical Masterton lost 4-0 to Petone.