Tight triple ahead in chase for title

Crunch time has arrived for Wairarapa United in the 2010 Central League football competition.
They are sitting fourth with 12 points and will meet the three higher teams _ Palmerston North Marist (14), Miramar Rangers (21) and Olympic (21) _ over the next three weekends.
The points situation doesn't tell the whole story, as whereas PNM, Miramar and Olympic have all played eight matches, Wairarapa United have played just seven, having had their encounter with Western Suburbs a few weeks back deferred because it clashed with the ''friendly'' between the All Whites World Cup squad and an All Stars combination including three Wairarapa United players, Seule Soromon, Adam Cowan and George Barbarouses.
Even a cursory glance of this season's Central League results show how difficult it will be for Wairarapa United to secure the three wins vital to stay in serious contention for the league title.
In first round matches, they lost to PNM 2-0, to Miramar 3-1 and to Olympic 2-1 before starting a winning streak, which with their hugely impressive beating of Petone on Saturday has now reached four games ... 2-1 over Tawa, 2-1 over Napier City Rovers, 2-1 over Taranaki and 6-1 over Petone.
There was a good reason for Wairarapa United's slow start as a mix of unavailabilities due to national football championship commitments and suspensions saw them missing up to seven of their players for their opening three games.
They were not helped by a draw that had them meeting three of the most likely championship contenders over that period.
Wairarapa United coach Phil Keinzley emphasises the squad's focus needs to be on sustaining the form they displayed in their victory over Petone.
''We've put ourselves in a position where we have to keep on winning, it's as simple as that,'' he said. ''It's a big challenge but it's achievable if we play well, that's the bottom line.''
Keinzley will be stressing to his players the importance of concentrating on one game at a time, of not letting their position on the points table mentally affect their performances.
''The thing is you can't guarantee wins against anyone at this level, you can't take anything for granted at all,'' he said.
''If you start thinking you have maximum points in the bag in any one game, you are just as likely to trip up. You have to treat every match the same way.''
Keinzley understands how injuries and suspensions can play a vital role in results and says Wairarapa United will need to stay clear of them to keep their league title hopes alive.
The loss of star striker Campbell Banks, a former All White, for up to six weeks because of an appendix operation is an immediate hurdle to overcome but that will be tempered to some degree by a former national age group rep in Nick Roydhouse returning to the fold from the United States where he has been attending university.
Hopes are that Roydhouse will be available for Sunday's match with Palmerston North Marist, a win in which would be guaranteed to move Wairarapa United into a clear third on the points table.
Interestingly, Queen's Birthday Weekend will see Wairarapa United play Miramar Rangers twice with the Saturday match at Hullena Park counting towards the Central League and Monday's clash at Miramar being a third-round Chatham Cup fixture.
Keinzley said his side would be taking the Chatham Cup ''very seriously'' despite Central League being their main priority.
''It (Chatham Cup) is a marvellous opportunity to showcase your talent and the further you go the better it is for the players in that respect,'' Keinzley said.