Stunning display a perfect farewell for coach Keinzley

Wairarapa United treated a good-sized and appreciative crowd to their best performance of the season when they upset fourth-placed Petone 3-2 in their Central League football match at Hullena Park, Masterton, yesterday.
It was a stunning all-round display by the home team and the perfect farewell for coach Phil Keinzley if, as seems likely, it turns out to be his last home game in the coaching role.
Keinzley had said he is quitting because of Masterton District Council inaction at rectifying ground condition hassles at Wairarapa United's Pugh Sports Bowl headquarters, a situation which might well lead to the demise of the club as a whole.
Just what a massive blow that would be for Wairarapa sport was exemplified by yesterday's match which had spectators buzzing at the high standard of football produced by both sides.
Wairarapa United actually dominated the first 20 minutes in terms of territory and possession but it was Petone who drew first blood, striker Paul Whitmarsh netting from close range.
Soon after it became 1-1 with Seule Soromon sending All White goalkeeper James Bannatyne the wrong way with a penalty awarded after Adam Cowan had been brought down while making a searching run.
Petone launched a dangerous attack which ended with Wairarapa United 'keeper Richard Gillespie diving to make the save and then the home side took the lead. Fullback Carl Shailer made a long run down the left flank before centring the ball and Nick Roydhouse finished in style.
Up 2-1 at the break Wairarapa United started the second half in much the same authoritative manner as they did the first but again it was Petone who managed to score the first goal of the spell. Again too it was Whitmarsh who did the damage after the Wairarapa United defence had been opened up by a well-placed free kick.
Now it was anybody's game and happily for Wairarapa United fans it was the locals who came up with what was to be the deciding goal.
A corner kick from Roydhouse was fumbled by Bannatyne and Waisake Sabatu was in the right place at the right time to head the ball into the back of the net.
That coach Keinzley elected to keep his starting line-up on the field for the entire match was not surprising because the commitment of all 11 players, both on attack and defence, was truly outstanding.
Goalkeeper Gillespie made the one brilliant save and another couple which were little less spectacular and there was a comforting surety about the play of those directly in front of him - Shailer, Sakeo Valevou, Sabatu and James Oxtoby. They not only defended stoutly
but also linked effectively on attack as well.
In the midfield Cowan, despite still batting a foot injury, and Roydhouse were elusive runners on the ball and especially effective on the counter attack, captain Pita Rabo worked tirelessly and intercepted several opposition passes, and Miriek Tvaroh was typically hard-nosed on the tackle and an accurate distributor.
But the two real crowd pleasers for Wairarapa United were strikers Seule Soromon and Campbell Banks both of whom constantly tormented the Petone defence with their ability to create space, either for themselves or for their supports. Soromon's speed off the mark was especially impressive and he could have added at least another couple of goals to his tally with an ounce of luck.