Title hopes pinned on strong finish

It may be starting to resemble a broken record but Wairarapa United will only have themselves to blame if they don't win the 2012 Central League football competition.

The closer it gets to the end of the season, the more intense the pressure is on the locals to keep winning if they are to snare the title for the first time.

Right now, they have five games to play and while they sit in second place, two points behind Wellington Olympic, on the competition table they have a game in hand

And with three points for each victory if Wairarapa United win every one of their games from here to the end of the season, they are guaranteed to finish at the top of the points table.

So, as coach Phil Keinzley so often says, their destiny is very much in their own hands.

Making tomorrow's encounter with Wellington United at Newtown Park in Wellington particularly important is that on the same day Olympic meet another of the sides still in with a chance of claiming the overall honours, defending champions Miramar Rangers.

The prospects of Olympic and Rangers playing out a draw have to be strong which means if Wairarapa United can beat Wellington United they could find themselves in the number one slot.

Keinzley won't have to look far to remind his players of the recipe for success.

Against Tawa at Howard Booth Park last weekend, they came out of a lacklustre first half at 0-0 and facing the possibility of what would have been a shock defeat.

To say some some harsh words from Keinzley at the break, along with a few positional changes, had a positive effect on their second half effort would be a gross understatement.

For practically all of that second 45 minutes, Wairarapa United were in control and, while they had good reason to be happy with the 3-0 margin of victory, their dominance was such they could quite easily have doubled it.

That huge improvement must have provided plenty of food for thought for Keinzley as there was no question the introduction of Aaron Spierling into the midfield and the positioning of Adam Cowan at striker added considerable oomph to the attack.

As did the placing of debutante Esava Naqeleca at fullback where his silky distribution skills were always apparent.

Starting with all three of those players in the same roles would surely be an attractive proposition but, at the time these notes were penned, Spierling was still in recovery mode from a hamstring injury and was on the doubtful starter list.

Whatever the composition of the Wairarapa United though, they will find Wellington United a tough nut to crack.

They have not had the most consistent of seasons but have been playing extra well of late and invariably save their best efforts for their home ground.

Douglas Villa's Capital second division side will host Olympic at the Park Sportsground tomorrow while the Masterton v North Wellington Capital third division match will be at Hullena Park.

Both games kick off at 2.30pm. Wairarapa United seconds play IBU-Massey at Wakefield Park in Wellington, starting at 5.30pm.