A United win would secure the title

Wairarapa United won't be leaving anything to chance in their Capital Soccer premier division match with Marist at the Pugh Sports Bowl, Masterton tomorrow.
Victory will absolutely guarantee them the premier division title and, just as importantly, a shot at earning promotion to central league for next season, and they will be aiming to achieve it in emphatic style.
That much is evident from pre-match comments made by coach Phil Keinzley who says any thought of Wairarapa United taking a more cautious approach than usual, especially if they happen to get a goal or two up early in the piece, can be forgotten
Keinzley believes safety-first tactics simply don't suit the make-up of his side, and therefore they will be continuing to adopt the policy of attack being the best form of defence.
"Some teams are quite comfortable sitting on leads but that's not us," Keinzley said. "We are at our best when we are taking the game to the opposition so that's what we will be looking to do."
Vanuatu international Seule Soroman will, as usual, be the spearhead of the Wairarapa United attack and he will be keen to repeat last weekend's effort when he scored two of the goals in the 4-2 win secured over the same Marist line-up they will meet tomorrow.
Soromon is now level pegging with Scotsman Kevin Murray for the most goals scored by Wairarapa United in any one season, 25, so that will give him an extra incentive to find the net on this particular occasion.
Skipper Pita Rabo has also been a regular scorer for Wairarapa United .He provides the ideal foil to Soromon in that his quite remarkable elevation makes him a huge danger when the ball in his air while Soromon is more lethal when passes or crosses are kept closer to ground level.
Aiding to the Wairarapa United cause too is that most of their players are capable of turning scoring chances into goals when the opportunity arises, something illustrated by the fact they have currently scored the most goals, 46, of any premier division side
"The more players you have willing to have shots at goal the harder it is for the opposition to contain you," Keinzley said. "We encourage everyone to think that way, no matter what position they play.".
Defensively too Wairarapa United have been going a grand job. They have conceded just 18 goals in 17 matches, again a better record than any of the other premier division teams.
Goalkeeper Matt Borren has been a standout with his sound positional play, athleticism and lengthy clearing kicks while fullbacks Carl Shailer and James Oxtoby have been a couple of the unsung heroes; players who might not be spectacular in their playing style but who can generally be relied on to do the right thing at the right time.
Keinzley expects Marist, who are staring the spectre of relegation in the face, to also place the emphasis on attack and he doesn't need reminding of the problems they caused Wairarapa United at various stage of last weekend's clash through their personnel constantly inter-changing their positions.
"It's important we close them down quickly and that's where the midfield comes in," Keinzley said " The more they reduce their space and their time on the ball the better for us."
The loss through suspension of Andy Robertson is a blow to Wairarapa United because of his competitive nature, especially in defensive situations, but Keinzley is confident that experienced campaigners such as Miriek Tvaroh, Waisake Sabutu and Sakeo Valevou will show similar assertiveness in their play.
Robertson's absence does, however, leave Wairarapa United rather thin on the ground in terms of playing resources with Anton Ross being the only reserve named.
A loss to the home team here would not, of course, mean the end of their title aspirations.The only team able to haul them in on the points table is Tawa and for that to happen they would not only need Wairarapa United to lose but for themselves to beat Kapiti Coast United tomorrow and Waterside-Karori and Lower Hutt City in catch-up matches scheduled for next weekend.
Keinzley is adamant, however, that equations of that kind won't play any part of Wairarapa United's build-up for tomorrow's match, which kicks off at 2.30pm.
"We have our destiny in our own hands and that's we are thinking about," he said. "Win and nothing else matters, that's the only thing on our minds.".
The Wairarapa United squad is: Matt Borren, James Oxtoby, Carl Shailer, Waisake Sabutu, Sakeo Valevou, Kote Maeno, Miriek Tvaroh, Paul Gregory, Aaron Spierling, Pita Rabo, Seule Soromon.Reserve: Anton Ross.