13th grade team wins age group promotion

Wairarapa United's 13th grade boys team won the right to play in Capital Soccer's highest grade for their age group when they beat Waikanae in a tense and exciting match at Upper Hutt on Saturday.
The two teams were locked at 1-1 at the end of both ordinary time and extra time and Wairarapa United took the spoils by having a 2-1 edge in a penalty shootout.Bill Crump and Mitchell Ellicook did the business for Wairarapa United there after their earlier goal had been scored by Jacob Buchan.
It was the strength of their defence which served Wairarapa United best against a Waikanae side used of playing at a higher level.
"It wasn't pretty in that we concentrated on keeping their front runners in check but we knew that was our best chance of getting a positive result", Phil Keinzley, who coached the Wairarapa United side in combinatyon with John Antcliff, said. "It was hard going but we got there."
Players of the day for Wairarapa United were goalkeeper Matt Hammond, who made a number of fine saves, and hard-working striker Jamie McMaster.
Keinzley said the benefits of playing in Capital Soccer's premier 13 th grade league would be huge for Wairarapa United even if the standard would be higher than they had experienced before.
"It's going to take them out of their comfort zone and that's got to be good in terms of improving their skills," Keinzley said. "And obviously it also gives them a better chance to be noticed for higher honours and that's a big plus too."
Keinzley is also optimistic the team's latest performance will make it easier for Wairarapa United to find a permanent coach for the side as Keinzley and Antcliff have busy seasons ahead of them, Keinzley as coach of Wairarapa United's premier men's team and Antcliff as coach of their senior seconds side.
"We know there are many people around who could do a good job in the coaching role and hopefully this result will encourage them to get involved," Keinzley said.