All bets are off at Park Island

What happened last season will very much become part of past history when Wairarapa United and Napier City Rovers meet in a Chatham Cup football match at Park Island, Napier, on Sunday

These were the two sides which battled out the cup final in 2011 with Wairarapa United earning themselves a memorable 2-1 win but for one of them this game will signal the end of their 2012 campaign.

The fact they have had the "wood" on Napier City Rovers in Chatham Cup and Central League matches during the past couple of years might suggest Wairarapa United will start a firm favourite but circumstances during the past week have changed all that.

News the experienced and skilful Adam Cowan is definitely a non-starter because of a work commitment was, in itself, enough to bring the two sides back to level pegging and if, as expected, the pacy Dale Higham is also ruled out by illness then a good case could be made for Napier City Rovers as favourites.

After all, the home team have a former All White in Cole Peverly spearheading their challenge and an attacking line-up with the potential to be about as potent as any in the country.

But Wairarapa United can take confidence from the fact they often produce their best football when the chips are down. Right through last season's Chatham Cup programme, for instance, they won plaudits for their character and resolve so the absence of Cowan, and probably Higham, might be a blessing in disguise.

Coach Phil Keinzley has hinted that even without two of his stars the Wairarapa United approach will be to take the game to their opposition from the word go. In striker Seule Soromon he has a proven finisher with all the flair and agility to create headaches for the tightest of defence systems and his partner in crime, Paul Ryder, also possesses many of the same qualities.

Wairarapa United will be keen for Pita Rabo to make an impact on attack. It was Rabo who scored the winning goal in last year's cup final and he will do his team a great service if he manages to get on the scorecard here as well.