Stars kept waiting

It was the question which the hardy bunch of Marquis Wairarapa United supporters who watched their team battle to a 3-1 central league win over Wellington United at a wet and windy Howard Booth Park in Carterton on Saturday wanted asked.

What on earth motivated coach Phil Keinzley to remove star striker Seule Soromon from the starting line-up, along with two of his high-profile Team Wellington recruits Tim Schaeffers and Darren Cheriton?

After all, Wellington United went into the game second only to Wairarapa United on the points table and in a position to move within one point of them with a victory in this match, a situation which cried out for Keinzley to field his strongest possible side right from the outset.

For Keinzley himself, however, it was simply a matter of following team rules. Players had been warned that missing even one of the two training sessions leading into each central league game would see them automatically relegated to the reserve bench - good excuse or not - and Soromon, Schaeffers and Cheriton had failed this test.

"They all missed one training last week so really I had no option, rules are rules, if you make them you have to abide by them," Keinzley said. "Yes, I have to admit I was bit worried it could backfire on us but as I say there was no alternative, none at all."

As it happened Soromon, Schaeffers and Cheriton did still play their part in what was a solid Wairarapa United performance, Soromon entering the fray late in the first half and Schaeffers and Cheriton both in the second half.

And it was Soromon who put his side 2-1 ahead after they had gone to the break at 1-1, their first goal coming very early in the opening spell courtesy of Adam Cowan.

Victory was sealed for Wairarapa United late in the second half with a superb individual effort by Paul Ryder, who somehow got the ball into the back of the net despite being surrounded by a wall of defenders.

The strong cross wind and persistent rain did test the accuracy of the two teams and it was to their credit that they produced an entertaining spectacle, one in which Wairarapa United clearly had the edge in territory and possession but always had to be wary of the counter-attacking capabilities of their opposition.

There would have been numerous contenders for any player of the match award for the home team but probably none more so than Cowan. His clever ball skills often allowed him to make room for himself on attack and his deft passing just as often put teammates into space.

Skipper Nathan Cooksley was a tireless worker both on and off the ball and there were enough neat touches from Cheriton in his debut appearance for the club to suggest he will he a huge asset in midfield as the season progresses.

Douglas Villa scored a 1-0 win over Wellington Olympic in their Capital second division fixture, while Gardner Electrical Masterton were beaten 3-0 by North Wellington in third division.