Wai United in tight race for top spot

The congested nature of the points table provides a graphic illustration of the task confronting Wairarapa United as they battle for the top spot in Capital Soccer's premier division competition.
Even though the 10 participating teams only have between six and eight matches to play before they complete their 18-match programme all but bottom-placed Western Suburbs still have a mathematical chance of finishing in the first three, at least.
In fact, Western Suburbs with four is the only side not to be in double figures on the points list, Marist and Lower Hutt City sharing eighth place with 10.
Their commanding 3-0 win over Miramar Rangers at the Pugh Sports Bowl on Saturday took Wairarapa United to 24pts, one behind leaders Island Bay United and two ahead of third placed Tawa.
And that situation is made to look even more promising for Wairarapa United when it is noted that whereas Island Bay United have played 12 of their matches Wairarapa United have played 11.
As it happens Wairarapa United and Island Bay are due to play their second round clash at Island Bay's headquarters this coming weekend
It is, of course, a vital encounter for both sides as a win to Wairarapa United is guaranteed to take them to the top of the points table, still with that game in hand.
However, that situation would change dramatically with an Island Bay success as it would see them extend their present advantage over Wairarapa United to four points, enough to keep them in front should both they and Wairarapa United go on to win all their remaining matches.
Wairarapa United coach Phil Keinzley is adamant though that with several of the sides capable of beating each other on any given day it would be foolish to consider his side a home run for the title should they account for Island Bay United, or, conversely, consider them out of the reckoning if they lose.
"No way can you afford to think that far ahead," he said. "There is a lot of water to go under the bridge yet and it would no surprise if the teams that are, say, fourth or fifth at the moment are right in the fight at the end."
Keinzley says one word will decide Wairarapa United's fate; consistency. "We are now at the stage where the sides who perform consistently well will get their just desserts, you can't expect to play well one week and poorly the next and still be in the hunt. That won't happen".
To that end Keinzley has been delighted with the way his team have lifted their standards over the last couple of weekends and he says their levels of self belief have never been higher as a consequence.
"We've managed to keep a couple of the better attacking sides scoreless and that's the sort of thing which builds confidence," he said.
The solidness of the Wairarapa United defence is borne out by statistics which show they have conceded the least goals of all the premier division sides, 12, while the 31 goals they have scored themselves is the highest in the league.
The defensive effort is especially pleasing for Keinzley as while there was never any doubts Wairarapa United would have few hassles in the goal scoring department when the season commenced question marks did hang over the effectiveness of their defence.
"It's remarkable to think that the tightness of the defence has suddenly become our biggest attribute, nobody could have predicted that," he said.