United fall to Rangers

Fate conspired against Wairarapa United in their 3-2 loss to Miramar Rangers in the crucial Central League football match played at Dave Farrington Park, Miramar, yesterday.

The result ended any chance Wairarapa United had of achieving the central league Chatham Cup double as it left Miramar Rangers with an unassailable lead at the top of the points table.

But with two of the Miramar Rangers goals being questionable affairs and Wairarapa United having the mortification of missing a penalty which would have given them a 3-2 lead with just 15 minutes of play remaining the final scoreline could easily have gone Wairarapa United's way.

It was Miramar Rangers who made the early running and they went 1-0 up after just five minutes when Wairarapa United goal keeper Matt Borren was tricked by the bounce and failed to field a ball cleanly. There to pick up the rebound and slot the goal was Dominic Rowe.

Wairarapa United equalised when Nathan Cooksley sizzled a shot home from all of 25m out and the teams went to the break at 1-1.

A brilliant individual goal by Nobuyishi Ishi early in the second half put Wairarapa United 2-1 up and back came Miramar Rangers with a goal to Michael White.

There was good cause though to feel a free kick should have been given to Wairarapa United moments beforehand for dangerous play as possession was being keenly contested. In fact several Wairarapa United players clearly stopped thinking the free kick would be given and Miramar Rangers were quick to capitalise on the extra space provided them.

Then came the missed Wairarapa United penalty with Miramar Rangers keeper Phil Imray palming away the shot from Campbell Banks and Nathan Cooklsey putting the rebound over the top.

Just one minute later came what was to be the winning goal for Miramar Rangers but again there was controversy, with Miramar's Michael White seeming to initiate a clash of heads with James Oxtoby.

Both players were yellow carded after a brief skirmish and to the amazement of Wairarapa United players and nearby spectators, it was Miramar Rangers who were awarded the free kick. And to make matters worse it was White who latched on to the resultant cross and found the net.

Outstanding for Wairarapa United in a performance still good enough to augur well for their chances of beating Napier City Rovers in the Chatham Cup final next weekend were goalkeeper Borren, fullback Scott Robson and midfielders Ishi, Cooksley and Adam Cowan.