Wairarapa United could be excused for wondering what Island Bay team is going to turn up for their Capital Soccer premier division match at Howard Booth Park, Carterton tomorrow.
Just two weeks ago Island Bay inflicted the first defeat on competition leaders Petone while last weekend they lost to bottom placed
Hutt Valley.
Wairarapa United coach Phil Keinzley is not being fooled by the latter result however, believing that the victory over Petone was more an indication of the challenge likely to be offered by Island Bay tomorrow.
"They are a good side and that Hutt Valley loss was probably due to them being too confident after the Petone win," he said. "They'll be back to earth now and keen to get back on track."
For Keinzley the most difficult task leading into this game is the selection of his starting X1, with the problem being not so much who to include but who to leave out.All members of his squad are in good form and whoever is on the bench is going to be unlucky.
One player who won't be there is youngster Aaron Spierling who has performed so well in recent matches that Keinzley will definitely have him in the starting line-up
"Right now Aaron would be the form player of the whole team," he said. "He does the hard yards in training and it shows."
Hayden Spierling, Aaron's brother, has also been impressing lately, and the choice at right half will come down to him or the equally talented Troy Burling
Experienced campaigner Robbie Bull has been battling injury, but is available for tomorrow's game and must be a strong chance to be at the middle of a defensive unit also likely to include Petero Dauniseka and Andy Robertson.
Keinzley said winning tomorrow's game was an absolute must for Wairarapa United if they were to stay in contention for competition honours
They currently sit third on the table, 5pts behind Petone and 1pt adrift of Tawa, and can't afford to lose any ground in that respect as the second round gets under way.
"The competition is there for the taking, but it won't happen unless we keep winning ourselves," he said.
