Wairarapa United have kicked their habit of being slow starters in the central league football competition.
Their 3-1 win over previously unbeaten Western Suburbs at Endeavour Park, Whitby, on Wednesday gave them a share of the lead with Olympic, the team with which they drew 3-3 in their opening game of the 2012 season.
This is a far cry from the usual trend of having to make up lost ground after indifferent form in early-season games.
But while coach Phil Keinzley admits that being at the right end of the points table is a nice change, he is quick to dismiss the thought that their first league title is any closer.
"We've got something like 15 games to go so it's far too soon to be getting too carried away ... every team has their bad results and how often we avoid that happening will dictate what happens in the end."
Keinzley said the win over Wests was not all plain sailing. The teams were level at 1-1 at halftime thanks to a late Wairarapa United goal by striker Seule Soromon, which was similar in kind to his spectacular 30m effort in the 1-0 win over Napier City Rovers last Saturday.
But it was Wests who had created the greater number of scoring opportunities.
"They should have been at least two goals up, they missed a couple of really easy chances," Keinzley said.
The second half was a different story with Wairarapa United taking control and dominating territory and possession. Paul Ryder made it 2-1 when he swooped on a loose pass and Soromon sealed the victory with his second goal 10 minutes later.
The Wairarapa United starting line-up was the same that took the field against NCR with the exception of Miroslav Tvaroh replacing Aaron Spierling in midfield.
That was a big call considering Spierling had impressed in previous matches. But Tvaroh, who was returning from suspension, rose to the challenge and was one of his side's best performers with Pita Rabo, James Oxtoby, Adam Cowan, Carl Shailer and Nathan Cooksley.
Oxtoby was replaced in defence during the second half by Pablo Moya because of a hamstring strain but is expected to take the field in the next league match against Petone at Howard Booth Park in Carterton tomorrow.
Petone suffered their first loss of the 2012 season when they were beaten 1-0 by Olympic on Anzac Day and Keinzley is anticipating them playing their usual hustle-bustle style of football.
"They are usually a pretty physical bunch who like to get in your face and make life difficult for you," he said. "They don't hold anything back."