Keinzley demands double win

Pivotal matches in two competitions will be played by Wairarapa United's premier football side over Queen's Birthday weekend, and, by the quirks of the draw, the opposition will be the same on both occasions.
On Saturday, they will play Lower Hutt City in a central league fixture at Bell Park, and they will be back at the same venue on Monday to play Lower Hutt City again but this time in a Chatham Cup elimination game.
Wairarapa United coach Phil Keinzley says the importance of the two matches cannot be underestimated.
Victory in the Chatham Cup fixture is absolutely essential if Wairarapa United are to progress in that competition, while a loss in the central league match will make it "near impossible" to overhaul current leaders Miramar Rangers, if Rangers win on the same day.
Under the latter scenario, Rangers will be six points (or two wins) ahead of them on the points table and a team of their calibre are hardly likely to falter with that sort of start.
"Yes, they are both pivotal matches, we simply have to come away with two wins," Keinzley said. "Anything less won't be good enough."
Keinzley is aware too that Lower Hutt City will be brimming with confidence after deservedly beating Wairarapa United 2-1 in a first round central league match at Queen Elizabeth Park oval in Masterton back in April, and "absolutely thrashing" them in their Bell Park clash last season.
"I'd say they will be fancying their own chances of picking up two wins and why wouldn't they? They've had the better of us lately."
Two of the key players in the Lower Hutt City squad, George Barbarouses and Andrew Abba, actually played for Wairarapa United last year. Barbarouses, especially, was a standout last time they met, constantly testing his former teammates with his darting runs and clever ball skills.
Keinzley is optimistic, however, that Barbarouses will have less an influence on this weekend's matches as Wairarapa United's defensive structures are now among the best in the central league, as evidenced by them having conceded the second lowest number of goals in the 10-team competition.
Goalkeeper Matt Borren has been a rock under pressure and fullbacks Carl Shailer, Waisake Sabatu, Pabla Moya and, particularly, Nathan Cooksley have all performed consistently well too.
"Quite honestly, I think our defence has become our greatest strength. We've had the odd hiccup but, generally, we've coped really well there."
Unfortunately, however, the attacking play has lacked the same consistency, with the 2-1 loss to Miramar Rangers a fortnight ago and last weekend's 1-1 draw with Maycenvale United both being marred by some poor finishing work.
"We have to be a lot more clinical in the way we finish. We have to forget the flashy stuff and just focus on putting the ball in the back of the net,"Keinzley said.
The only injury worry in the Wairarapa United camp is the hamstring strain suffered by Japanese utility Nobuyishi Ishi.