Tough starter for United

AMBITIOUS: Wairarapa United's Seule Soromon attempts an overhead kick during his team's 2-2 draw with Phoenix reserves in a pre-season fixture played at Rathkeale College last Saturday. PHOTO/CHRIS KILFORD

Forget the thought Keinzley Agvet Wairarapa United virtually only have to turn up to claim the scalp of Miramar Rangers when they kick off their 2015 Central League football campaign at Queen Elizabeth Park oval in Masterton tomorrow, at 2.30pm.

Yes, Wairarapa United scored a major coup with the signing of former Phoenix star Paul Ifill as player-coach and, yes, they have signed several other high-profile recruits, some of whom have played professionally overseas, but they could not have picked a more difficult opponent to confront first up.

History is certainly on Miramar Rangers side. They were comprehensive winners of the Central League title last season, finishing with 46 points from 15 wins, one draw and two losses. Wairarapa United were third with 33pts from 10 wins, three draws and five losses.

And, both times, Miramar Rangers and Wairarapa United did battle it was Miramar Rangers who prevailed, 3-1 on the first occasion and 2-1 on the second. In 2013, their two clashes ended in 1-1 draws and Miramar Rangers won the title then too.

The fact Wairarapa United have picked up two of the stars of last season's Miramar Rangers squad, former national under-20 rep Cory Chettleburgh and Sam Mason-Smith, a prolific scorer who was runner-up for the CL Golden Boot award, is clearly a point in United's favour but Miramar Rangers is a club with remarkable depth.

This is evidenced by them having players in no fewer than four of the 2015 national summer league squads, Team Wellington, Phoenix reserves, Wanderers and Southern United. So there should be no worries about fitness for them either, should there?

Nobody appreciates the threat Miramar Rangers will pose Wairarapa United more than Ifill.

"You only have to look at their record, you don't win two titles on the bounce without being a very good side," he said. "It's a tough ask for us, but I think we are ready for it. It should be a cracker of a game."

The elimination of Team Wellington from the national league play-offs last weekend means Ifill and Chettleburgh are available to play for Wairarapa United tomorrow, with the only defection from the squad being Adam Cowan, who still has commitments with Wellington's O-League team and could miss the first three or four CL games as a consequence.

It is unlikely, however, that Ifill will take a starting spot in his side simply because most of Wairarapa United's preparatory work has been done with the thought he would have to miss the season opener and he doesn't want to interfere too much with what is already in place.

Therefore he will probably start on the bench and enter the fray as part of the front three as the match progresses, replacing either Mason-Smith, Seule Soromon or Magmo Viera.

It could be a different story for Chettleburgh though.

Ifill is anticipating him starting in midfield alongside Fidell Richards and either Aaron Spierling or Nathan Cooksley while the back four is expected to be Carl Shailer, Josh Margretts, Sam O'Regan and Ollie Rowlands. Starting in goal will be Matt Borren.

Ifill imagines both teams playing possession-based football with the focus on giving their front runners every chance to impose themselves on the game. "I don't think they (Miramar) will be a lot different to us.

"We both have plenty of goal-scoring potential up front and, giving them the freedom to do their stuff, will be very much part of the mindset."

Another round of CL games will be played on Easter Monday with Wairarapa United taking on Palmerston North Marist at Memorial Park in Palmerston North, starting at 3pm.

- The draw for Capital Football competition matches tomorrow includes: Second division: Douglas Villa v Island Bay, Park Sportsground, Masterton at 2.30pm. Third division: Wairarapa United seconds v Western Suburbs, Endeavour Park at 2.30pm. Fourth division: Property Law Services Masterton v Island Bay United Sea Captains, Wakefield Park at 5.30pm.