Fun focus for United

The result will be of secondary importance when Wairarapa United complete their 2011 Central League campaign at Petone on Saturday.

With Miramar Rangers already guaranteed the league title, the best Wairarapa can do is finish runners-up by beating Petone and hoping Napier City Rovers lose to Lower Hutt City on the same day.

Otherwise it will be third for Wairarapa United, their highest league finish but one which pales into insignificance after their Chatham Cup final success last Sunday.

So coach Phil Keinzley has decided to promote into the starting line-up the players who have spent much of the year on the bench and to encourage his squad to forget about the result.

"You always prefer to win but this is a no-pressure game and the guys can go out there and have some fun, they deserve that."

One of the stars of the Chatham Cup final, defender Scott Robson, who was awarded the Jack Batty Memorial Trophy for player of the match, won't feature against Petone, having left for trials with a couple of Brisbane clubs.

If successful, Robson will miss the national summer league here but Keinzley has received inquiries from throughout the country about the availability of virtually every other member of his Wairarapa United squad.

"The phone has been red hot, especially since the Chatham Cup win," Keinzley said. "I'm picking our guys are going to be spread all over the place."

So to the class of 2011, the players behind a season which has had Wairarapa United hogging headlines from Whangarei to Invercargill (not to mention Fiji and Vanuatu), our report card is:

CAMPBELL BANKS: Provides the perfect example of the depth in the Wairarapa squad, having been a sub through the latter part of the season despite having the ability to create goals or slot the ball into the net himself. He also uses his height well when competing for balls in the air.

MATT BORREN: His feats between the sticks have made him one of the special members of this squad. He shows no fear when competing for ball in the air and has the athleticism to dive quickly to the right or left whenever the opposition threatens to strike. The length of his kicks are legendary and from one of them, Pita Rabo got the header which produced the winning goal in the Chatham Cup final. A class act in every respect.

NATHAN COOKSLEY: Could not have made a more favourable impression in his debut season for Wairarapa. He has been a standout player with his never-say-die attitude, especially on defence, where his aggressiveness in the tackle often sees him win possession against all odds. His positional play at fullback or in midfield has been outstanding and his distribution skills have improved as the season has progressed. A worthy contender for any player of the season award.

ADAM COWAN: Ask any opposition coach who they rate highly in the Wairarapa squad and Cowan's name is invariably at, or near, the top of the list. The fact he can slot in anywhere from attack to defence is a huge plus, as is his creativeness, win-at-all-costs mentality, lively turn of pace and ability to score when others around him are struggling to find the net. And if you need any more pluses, how about his leadership?

DALE HIGHAM: If you ever wanted convincing of Higham's potential on attack, watch a replay of the Chatham Cup final. He used an exceptional turn of pace to make numerous stirring runs down his wing and his crosses into the penalty box were invariably well executed. Scott Robson was deservedly player of the match but Higham would have been a close second. National recognition is certainly not beyond him.

NOBUYISHI ISHI: Every team needs a workaholic and Ishi has filled that role for Wairarapa. He covered huge territory on attack and defence in the Chatham Cup final, belying his small stature in the manner in which he competed for possession. His goal in the somewhat unlucky loss to Miramar the week before would have to rank among the best individual efforts over the whole 2011 season.

ADAM MILNE: Was the most interesting of the newcomers this season, if only because he had debuted for the Black Caps as a fast bowler during summer and little was known of his footballing talents. He didn't take long to show he was no mug at that code either, often earning plaudits for his no-nonsense style of play. He made a big impact off the bench in the Chatham Cup decider, enough to suggest he will pushing hard for a regular starting spot in 2012.

PABLO MOYA: Was relegated to the bench for the important games later in the season, not because of any drop in form but simply because of keen competition for places in the starting line-up. He seldom put a foot wrong when played in defence, often winning the ball with well-timed tackles.

JAMES OXTOBY: Was a late starter for Wairarapa this season but didn't take long to command a regular starting position at fullback. As his fitness levels improved, so did his contribution to the team and, by the Chatham Cup final, he had become an important member of the defence, both for his reliability and temperament for the big occasion.

PITA RABO: How appropriate this likeable Fijian should score the winning goal in the Chatham Cup final. He has been a wonderful servant for Wairarapa for several seasons and continues to play to a consistently high standard, now usually in midfield where his composure and inventiveness in the option-taking department are always readily apparent. He also retains enough speed to be a threat whenever he pushes forward.

SCOTT ROBSON: Joined the Wairarapa squad at the start of the season and has been a revelation with his ability to do the right thing at the right time, seemingly without raising a sweat. He can play equally well at fullback or midfield and while best known for the sureness of his defence, he is no mug on the counter-attack either. His contribution to the Chatham Cup final win was immense and he was a popular winner of the Jack Batty Memorial Trophy for player of the match.

WAISAKE SABATU: If you wanted a nickname for Sabatu based on his footballing abilities, it would have to be Mr Cool. No matter how intense the pressure, the big defender never seems bothered, a point illustrated by the fact his Chatham Cup performance was probably his best of the 2011 campaign. He used his height and bulk to win plenty of possession in the air and on the ground and often created dangerous counter-attacks with his well-timed passes.

CARL SHAILER: Flashiness is not his style but, in many ways, Shailer could be labelled the pin-up boy of the Wairarapa squad. He is the absolute home product, having now played about 175 games for the club's premier side and, amazingly, the more games he plays, the better he seems to get. His strong runs down the wing have been a profitable attacking option all season and the two goals he scored in the Chatham Cup quarter-final win over Waitakere City were crucial to the side's cup run.

SEULE SOROMON: Every team needs a player who quickens the pulse whenever he has the chance to cut loose and Soromon fits the bill perfectly for Wairarapa. He has it all in an attacking sense: speed off the mark, flair and the bravery to push and shove his way past defenders if that is what is required. He can create - and score - goals out of virtually nothing. And he is also prepared to add extra numbers on defence.

MIROSLAV TVAROH: Like Banks, spent more time on the bench than would be expected for a player of his calibre, simply because of the depth of talent in the Wairarapa United squad. If you need a hard-nosed defender who won't give an inch, he is your man, but he also has the distribution skills to be a potent force on attack.