Early Wairarapa strikes earn memorable win

Wairarapa United scored their first-ever win over Western Suburbs at premier grade level when they won their central league football fixture 2-0 at Whitby on Saturday.
Making the victory even sweeter was that it meant Wairarapa United became the holders of the Tony De Haas Trophy, named after one of their most loyal supporters who is battling ill health.
Wairarapa United had the better of the first half but Western suburbs dominated the second.
Both Wairarapa United goals came within the first 25 minutes with Andrew Abba scoring from a well-taken set move and fellow striker Seule Soromon from the penalty spot after he had been brought down by a Wests defender.
Coach Phil Keinzley was delighted with the strong start made by Wairarapa United with Wests being kept on the back foot through most of the first half.
''We executed our attacks well and often had them in trouble, we were pretty good value for our two goals,'' he said.
The second spell was, however, an entirely different story with a desperate Wests launching attack after attack and being constantly held at bay by a doughty Wairarapa United defence spearheaded by fullbacks Adam Cowan and Pita Rabo and goalkeeper Richard Gillespie.
A highlight of that spell was a brilliant diving save made by Gillespie despite the fact he was being troubled by a leg injury which was clearly affecting his movements.
''The defensive effort in the second half was outstanding, everybody did their bit,'' Keinzley said. ''They (Wests) were always trying to hurry things up and we were more intent on slowing things down, it was a real battle of tactics out there.''
Saturday's win took Wairarapa United to a clear third on the central league points table, two points ahead of Wests and with a game in hand. The top two sides, Olympic and Miramar Rangers, cannot, however, be overhauled.
In a Capital third division match Douglas Villa and Lower Hutt City drew 2-2.