Self belief the key for United

Self belief will be the key words for Wairarapa United when they play Lower Hutt City in a crucial Capital Soccer premier division match tomorrow.
The venue was originally scheduled to be the Pugh Sports Bowl in Masterton but the recent spell of inclement weather will almost certainly see it transferred from there to Howard Booth Park in Carterton.
Wairarapa United go into the game with a three point lead on the competition table but a loss tomorrow could see Tawa level with them and be better placed to take the title on the basis they would have three matches left to play while Wairarapa United would have just two.
Ordinarily a win over Lower Hutt City would almost be a matter of course for Wairarapa United but with them staring relegation in the face they are sure to pull out all stops, including having a number of their highly-ranked central league squad in tomorrow's line-up. Just as Western Suburbs did last weekend when they beat Wairarapa United 1-0.
Not surprisingly Wairarapa United fans are unhappy at that prospect but, unfortunately, it is something the rules allow and as coach Phil Keinzley says they can't afford to dwell on the situation.
"Obviously it's not ideal for us but nothing is going to change so we have to focus on beating whoever they put up against us," he said. "We can't be defeatist, that's the last thing we need."
Even allowing the unavailability of midfielder Anton Ross means Wairarapa United will just have one player on the reserve bench and soft ground conditions will severely test the fitness of his
team, Keinzley is adamant they can beat Lower Hutt City, providing they show self belief in the way they play. He said there were instances in the match with Western Suburbs where some players went into their shells and failed to back themselves to outmanoeuvre their opposition.
"In games like this you have to rely on your own skill levels to do the business, you can't afford to worry about what could happen if you make a mistake," he said. "We are actually a very skilful team and we shouldn't be bothered at all about losing anything in that respect."
The loss to Ross means Aaron Spierling will replace in the midfield and Keinzley doesn't imagine that having an adverse affect on the overall performance. In fact, he suggests the exact opposite could well occur with Spierling keen to show he deserves a permanent berth in the starting line-up. "He (Spierling) is very useful on attack and defence, he's done a good job for us before and I am sure he will again," Keinzley said.
The Wairarapa United coach is also hopeful of a decent-sized crowd for tomorrow's game, recalling how that has helped his team achieve some good results in previous home matches this season.
"I always reckon having a big and vocal crowd behind you can be worth at least one goal and that might be all it takes to win this one," he said.