Stars missing from United line-up

Wairarapa United will be missing two of their star players when they complete their debut season in the Central League football competition with a match against high-flyers Olympic at Hullena Park, Masterton, on Sunday.
Striker Seule Soromon and midfielder Nick Roydhouse are out of a Wairarapa United side aiming to record their sixth successive win, and eighth in all.
Soromon, whose 14 goals make him the second-highest goal-scorer in Central League behind Miramar Rangers's Dominic Rowe (17), is heading back to his home country of Vanuatu while Roydhouse has returned to the United States to continue his university studies
The loss of Soromon and Roydhouse will undoubtedly weaken Wairarapa United, especially on attack, and will be music to the ears of a Olympic outfit which still has a chance of winning the Central League title and are also preparing for their Chatham Cup semi-final match against Manurewa in Wellington on August 30.
For Wairarapa United coach Phil Keinzley, however, it's not all bad news as it provides him with the opportunity to try out some of the best talent in the club's seconds team with an eye to next season.
"I know it will be a huge challenge for them but if they want to make a statement at the highest level next year they have to show they can handle the extra pressures," he said.
"It's a huge chance for them to put their hands up and say they can do the job."
Just who will combine with the in-form Campbell Banks in the striker's role was something still being pondered by Keinzley at the time these notes were penned.
Very probably in the reckoning are at least three players, Adam Cowan, Sakeo Valevou and Kote Maeno.
Cowan has been used either in midfield or at fullback since joining Wairarapa United but he is no rookie at striker, having played there at national championship level for Manawatu.
Valevou has similar versatility to Cowan and on the odd occasion he has been at striker this season has done everything asked of him while Maeno is a Rathkeale College pupil with outstanding promise.
He played a full game in midfield in the stunning 5-4 win over Miramar Rangers two weekends ago and was one of his side's star performers on that occasion
Helpful to the Wairarapa United cause is they are again able to utilise Hullena Park as the match venue .
There is no doubt the quality of the playing surface there, and the closeness of the spectators to the action, boosts the prospects of the home team, and it would be nice to think it could become an even more regular part of Central League action in the seasons ahead.