Wairarapa in attack mode

Wellington United have a well-earned reputation for their willingness to place the emphasis on attack. Wairarapa United are anticipating spirited opposition from Wellington United in their Chatham Cup knockout football match at Newtown Park, Wellington, tomorrow.
Wellington United might play one level below Wairarapa United at club level but that was no obstacle to success when they hammered central league hotshots, and 2009 Chatham Cup holders, Olympic 5-0 in an earlier Cup game a few weeks back.
Under the astute direction of player-coach Graham Little, a long-time Wellington national league rep, and with talented Argentinian striker Emiliano Tade as their main strike force, Wellington United have a well-earned reputation for their willingness to place the emphasis on attack.
When Little spoke to the Times-Age midweek the indications were that nothing will be different on this occasion. It could be, of course, that such tactics will play into Wairarapa United's hands. Teams that push forward on a regular basis need to do so with sustained accuracy otherwise they can leave themselves open to counter-attacks, and few teams can be more dangerous than Wairarapa United when that happens.
The fact coach Phil Keinzley intends to have three players up front tomorrow - Campbell Banks, Seule Soromon and Adam Cowan - as he did in the 2-1 win over Napier City Rovers in Napier last weekend suggests Wairarapa United will also be taking an attacking stance even more so with the confirmation that three of the regular defenders in the Wellington United team have left for overseas destinations.
He will not only be wanting his strikers to make a collective impact in that area but also Dale Higham whose pace often allows him to leave would-be tacklers in his wake.
At the same time, however, Keinzley will be stressing the need for a structured defence, very much like what they produced against a Napier City Rovers side which had an edge in territory and possession but constantly foundered at the feet of Scott Robson, Waisake Sabatu, Pablo Moya and Miroslav Tvaroh or the safe hands of goalkeeper Matt Borren.
Whoever wins tomorrow's game will reach the quarter-finals of the Chatham Cup, the draw for which will be made next week.