United punish capital side

Wairarapa United have a four-point cushion at the top of the Central League table after their 3-1 win over Wellington United at a frosty Howard Booth Park in Carterton on Saturday.

Wairarapa United's unbeaten run has now been extended to nine games since their Chatham Cup final win last season.

Saturday's win saw them reach 16 points in the Central League, with nearest rivals Petone and Napier Rovers - both of whom they have already beaten this season - back on 12.

Next come Olympic 10, Lower Hutt City 9, Wellington United 9, Miramar Rangers 7, Western Suburbs 7, Tawa 3 and Maycenvale United 0.

Interestingly, Wairarapa United coach Phil Keinzley predicted at the start of the season that for his side to take the title for the first time, they would have to register 40 points.

So with three matches still to be played before the first of the two full rounds is completed, they are well on target.

Keinzley however, is not about to count his chickens, saying a Central League season seldom passes without the top teams having a lean spell and his side's challenge was to prevent that from happening.

"It's nice to be in front and having the others doing the chasing but there is a long way to go before we can even start thinking about what this season could bring," he said.

The weekend's Central League results were: Lower Hutt City 2, Western Suburbs 1; Wairarapa United 3, Wellington United 1; Petone 6, Tawa 2; Miramar Rangers 4, Olympic 3; Napier City Rovers 5, Maycenvale United 1.

Douglas Villa had just 11 players to call on for their Capital second division match with Wellington Olympic on Saturday but they still managed to grind out a 1-0 win.

The only goal was scored by Michael Kempson, who rocketed the ball into the net from outside the box.

He had his usual strong game and others to impress were goalkeeper Jared Watt, who made a couple of fine first half saves when Villa were facing a strong wind, and Clinton Stark.

Gardner Electrical Masterton's playing resources were also well tested when they met North Wellington in the Capital third division match won by North Wellington 3-0.

Masterton started with no reserves and were further handicapped when two of their squad suffered injuries which restricted their movements.

Wairarapa United seconds played their Capital fourth division match with IBU-Massey at Howard Booth Park in Carterton on Sunday.

And they produced one of their most convincing performances of the season, winning 6-0.

On the local front, matches continued on Saturday in the top two divisions of the Wairarapa championship and results were:

Division One: Masterton McAuleys 4, Carterton Redbacks 1; Douglas Villa Good Beginnings 2, Greytown A1 Homes 1; Masterton Trevs Sports Athletic 9, Masterton Lions 0; Greytown White Swan 3, Carterton Skulls 0.

Division Two: Douglas Villa Funeral Services 5, Featherston United 3; Masterton Pacific United 1, Carterton Shoe Clinic Social 1; Douglas Villa Laser Electrical 4, Douglas Villa Hasbeens 1; Wairarapa Evergreens 5, Masterton Farmlands Presidents 4.