Wairarapa United soccer coach Phil Keinzley wants a big and vocal crowd to cheer home his side in their final Capital premier division match of the season against Marist at the Pugh Sports Bowl in Masterton on Saturday.
Victory will not only guarantee Wairarapa United the premier division title but also the chance to take part in a playoff series which could lead to them playing at central league level next season.
But, conversely, a loss would open the door for second-placed Tawa, who have two games in hand, to grab the premier division spoils from under their noses.
Keinzley said his team was "absolutely rapt" to be playing the last of their competition games at home and that with so much hinging on the result they were hopeful of the Wairarapa sporting community turning out in large numbers to support them.
"Having the crowd behind you can often mean the difference between success and defeat so it would be nice to think that people will make the effort to get along and help us out for such an important game," he said.
"It's history in the making for us, they don't come much bigger than this."
Keinzley is adamant Marist will be an awkward proposition for Wairarapa United despite their 4-2 loss when the two teams met in Wellington on Sunday.
He said that scoreline did not reflect the toughness of the battle on that occasion and with possible relegation staring them in the face Marist would be even more determined this time round. "They have everything to gain and nothing to lose, teams are always likely to produce something special when that's the case," he said.
The loss of Andy Robertson through suspension after he was sent off early in the second half of Sunday's match doesn't help the Wairarapa United cause either.
Robertson has been one of the big success stories of the premier division squad this season with his ability to perform well practically anywhere on the park.
He was to play at right fullback this coming weekend and that role will now be filled by Sakeo Valevou with promising youngster Kote Maeno likely to take Valevou's spot in the midfield.
History in the making beckons United
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