It would be an overstatement to say the chances of Wairarapa United winning their first central league football title will depend entirely on the result of their match with defending champions Miramar Rangers at Dave Farrington Park in Wellington tomorrow.
But it can be said with certainty that they will be doing themselves a huge favour if they manage to come away with the maximum three points.
Firstly, such a result would severely damage Miramar Rangers's own hopes of overall success and, secondly, it would leave Wairarapa United in a position where wins over Lower Hutt City at home and Napier City Rovers away in their last two games would guarantee them the championship.
The fact Miramar Rangers had three players sent off in their 6-0 drubbing by Central United in a Chatham Cup game last weekend is clearly a help for Wairarapa United but has been tempered by the news that they, too, will be missing two of their regulars, skipper Nathan Cooksley on a one-match suspension and James Oxtoby through injury.
Wairarapa United coach Phil Keinzley is worried that the backlash from last weekend's hiding might work in Miramar Rangers' favour.
