United make perfect start

Wairarapa United took the chance that mattered to make the perfect start to their Wellington premier soccer campaign with 1-0 away win over perennial bogey team Western Suburbs on Saturday.
Wairarapa had never beaten the Karori-based side in their history and played with concerted enthusiasm throughout the match, dominating territory and creating the majority of the goal-scoring chances.
After an even opening quarter the deadlock was broken in the 30th minute when defender Sakeo Valevou created an overlap and found player-coach Pita Rabo in space.
Rabo tidily beat two defenders and clipped the ball comfortably past the goalkeeper to give his side the decisive edge.
But Wairarapa could well have taken a bigger lead with fullback come striker Andy Robinson unlucky not to get his name on the score-sheet after consistently peppering the goal only to be denied by some fine goalkeeping.
Western Suburbs likewise had their chances particularly off the set pieces and were denied on two occasions by some splendid work from Wairarapa's Cook Islands goalkeeper Tony Jamieson.
And it was the defensive work on display that proved the winning of the game, with central defender James Oxtoby earning the player of the match award for a typically stoic performance.
Team spokesman Phil Keinzley said the clash was a perfect illustration of the potential of the side and was particularly rapt they managed to keep a clean sheet.
"Western Suburbs are no bunnies, they're really fit and well organised and in previous seasons we would have probably conceded a goal in that final quarter but if anything we created the more opportunities and could've put the match out of reach," he said.
"We spent a lot of time in their half and created some good chances, and Pita Rabo's goal was really well taken.
"It was one of those games where you felt if it ended up a draw it wouldn't have done it justice so the boys are pretty happy with it."
Some puzzling refereeing decisions saw Wairarapa end up with three players being yellow carded, though they all made sure to avoid receiving a second, while their opponents went through the match unscathed.
The team face their second Easter weekend clash today against Upper Hutt at the Colin Pugh Sports Bowl in Masterton and will be keen to cement themselves at the head of the table.
Andy Robinson, knee, and Anton Ross, quad muscle, are the only injury concerns but are expected to be fit enough to take the field by the scheduled 2pm start.
The only likely change to the side could see Guiseppe Cavalieri slot into the run-on side after making an impact off the bench on Saturday, though at whose expense is yet to be decided.
"The boys are all pretty confident and it should make for a good game if we can play in the same mould as Saturday," Keinzley said.
"We have a better record against Hutt than Western Suburbs so hopefully we can make it two from two."