Imports lift United strike power

Wairarapa United have significantly increased their strike power for their upcoming 2011 Central League football campaign with the naming of three "imports" all of whom are prolific goal scorers.
Fijian Valerio Nawatu, Somalian Faisal Salad and Kiwi Dale Higham will add considerable spark to an attack which already boasts the talents of former All White Campbell Banks and Vanuatu international Seule Soromon Nawatu's signing came after he was watched by Wairarapa United coach Phil Keinzley at the Fiji Cup tournament in Auckland where he was playing for Lautoka. One newspaper report of his efforts there labelled him a "scoring sensation" after he averaged two goals a game.
"He is a very clever player who can not only score goals but create them for others. He is also strong on the ball, he doesn't give away possession easily," said Keinzley.
Salad is a striker who has been playing in the Waikato area for about seven years. His athleticism is such he has won renown for his ability to score goals with the "bicycle kick" and he has the same build as Banks, being tall and lean.
Highham is an 18-year-old from Palmerston North who has played for the New Zealand under-20s and is a member of YoungHeart Manawatu's national league line-up. He normally plays at striker but appeals to Keinzley as a player who could be useful anywhere down the right flank.
"He's got the skills to play at fullback or midfield too, so again it's a matter of giving us extra options. We can move him around and know he will do a decent job."
Wairarapa United had more good news when Chilean Pablo Moya, who played for them last season, indicated he will again be on deck.
Plans to have at least three players come from Scotland to join Wairarapa United for their 2011 season are still in the pipeline.
A former club member, Scotsman Kevin Murray, is scouting for Keinzley in his homeland and while there have been numerous inquiries from players nothing has been confirmed.
"He [Murray] knows what we want and it's just a matter of the right type of players being available," Keinzley said.
Seven of Wairarapa United's home games in 2011, excluding the Chatham Cup fixtures, will be played at Queen Elizabeth Park Oval in Masterton this year after what Keinzley described as "very helpful" discussions with the Masterton District Council, who have allowed the Oval to be used by them up until the end of June. All other home matches will be staged at the Pugh Sports Bowl.
This Sunday United continue their participation in the popular pre-season Hilton Petone Cup tournament in Petone against fellow Central League-aspirant Tawa.