Missed penalty kick costs United the match

Vanuatu international Seule Soromon experienced football's high and lows in Wairarapa United's 2-1 loss to Lower Hutt City in the Central League match played at Queen Elizabeth Park Oval in Masterton on Sunday.
First came the highs. Wairarapa United were trailing 1-0 in the first half when Soromon latched on to a loose ball about 30 metres out and his shot for goal saw the ball curl into the top right-hand corner of the net.
The lows came in the dying stages of play when Wairarapa United had again fallen behind on the scoreboard. Lower Hutt City were 2-1 up when they conceded a penalty in a goalmouth melee.
Up stepped Soromon for what should have been the equaliser but to the mortification of his team and the crowd, his penalty attempt hit the bar and rebounded into play where the ball was cleared by the Lower Hutt City defence. Just 30 seconds later the final whistle sounded.
It wasn't the first time a penalty had been missed during the match as ex-Wairarapa United player Andrew Abba did likewise for Lower Hutt City. His weak first half strike, which would have given his team a 2-0 lead had it been successful, posed few problems for keeper Matt Borren, who had a fine game overall.
Abba and another member of last season's Wairarapa United squad, George Barbarouses, had a big say in the end result as they scored for a Lower Hutt City side which came to Masterton as one of the early favourites for the Central League title after their victory in the Hilton Petone Cup pre-season tournament.
His darting runs down the right flank and ability to evade tackles made Abba one of the star performers in a game which produced a high standard of football for a first-round fixture.
Indications beforehand were Wairarapa United could struggle to be competitive because of a preparation hindered by several of their key players being unavailable because of national league and other commitments but, as it happened, they deserved to at least share the spoils.
There were occasions, especially in the first half, where passes did not find their target, as much as a result of unfamiliarity as anything else, but they still managed to worry the Lower Hutt City defence with an approach which was always positive in intent.
Wairarapa United newcomer Nathan Cooksley was one of their most impressive individuals. He was a tireless worker on attack and defence and his work ethic was complemented by an aggressive mindset, an asset shared by midfielder Miroslav Tvaroh who stalled Lower Hutt City attacks with his tackling.
Up front Campbell Banks managed to make room for himself through tricky footwork and excellent ball control and a recruit from Lower Hutt in Argentinian Martin Pareyra made a favourable impression when he joined the action late in the game. Pareyra came to New Zealand to play for the Kings in the A-League and did enough on Sunday to suggest he will add considerable sting to the Wairarapa United attack as the season progresses.
Coach Phil Keinzley was "happy enough" with the Wairarapa United effort but quick to emphasise they would need to become a lot more accurate with their passing if they were to make a decent run for the Central League title.
"We gave away possession too easily and we weren't tight enough on defence. There is still plenty of scope for improvement," he said.
Keinzley won't be in the coaching role for the next few weeks as a holiday beckons. Sharing the position will be players Adam Cowan, who missed Sunday's game because of a two-match suspension given at the end of last season, and Pita Rabo.