Wairarapa United cruise to 8-0 win

GOOD PLAY: Lizzie Kedwell scores one of her four goals against Tawa on Sunday.PHOTO/CHRIS KILFORD

WAIRARAPA United cruised to an 8-0 win over Tawa in their Capital division women's football match played at Memorial Park, Masterton, on Sunday.

The end result was never in doubt after Wairarapa United raced out to a six-goal advantage by halftime and their inability to maintain that dominance in the second half was more a case of them taking the foot off the pedal than any significant improvement on Tawa's part.

For coach Phil Keinzley, the most pleasing feature of the performance was the manner in which they responded to a game plan which focused more on short, sharp passing than had been the case in previous games.

"The idea was to work harder at retaining possession and we did that for the most part," he said.

Outstanding for Wairarapa United were Annie Jones, who linked well with her supports in attacking situations, and fullbacks Sophie George and Stephanie Andrews-Paul, who were solid on defence and quick to come forward when the opportunity arose. Prolific goal-scorer Lizzie Kedwell was always a threat whenever she was given space and striker Anna Keen also made the most of any chances.

Kedwell scored four of the Wairarapa United goals with others going to Jones (2) and Meisha Boon. Tawa also conceded an own goal.

Wairarapa United manager Jill Flower was called on to referee the match when the appointed referee failed to turn up and Keinzley paid tribute to her efforts in that respect. "The opposition had no grumbles and that's always a good sign, isn't it?"

Also due to play at Memorial Park on Sunday was the Wairarapa United men's seconds team but they picked up the maximum points when their Capital third division opposition Western Suburbs defaulted.

In Capital division two play on Saturday, Douglas Villa drew 2-2 with Island Bay United while, in division four, Property Law Services Masterton went down 3-1 to Island Bay United Sea Captains.

Douglas Villa Magpies scored a 7-2 victory over McAuleys Masterton in their Wairarapa champion division one match and, in other games, Greytown Fresh Choice beat South Wairarapa Towing Redbacks 5-2, Trevs Sports Masterton Athletic beat Featherston 2-0 and Douglas Villa Laser Electrical and Wairarapa United Skulls battled out a 2-2 draw. In division two, Douglas Villa Megabeens beat Greytown Spartans 2-0, Wairarapa Evergreens accounted for South Wairarapa Auto Services 3-1, Masterton Lions overwhelmed Featherston Social 7-1 and Masterton Presidents beat Douglas Villa Funeral Services 5-1.