Wairarapa United hit back for draw

Depleted squad stay close to leadersYou have to give Petone credit, they took their chances well.Phil Keinzley,

Wairarapa United coach Wairarapa United coach Phil Keinzley was delighted with his team's 2-2 draw with Petone in their Central League football match at Petone on Saturday ... on two counts.

First and foremost a depleted Wairarapa United squad who had the injured Miroslav Tvaroh as their sole reserve produced some of their best football of the season in muddy conditions anything but conducive to their usual free-flowing style of play.

And, secondly, they didn't lose any ground on competition leaders Wellington Olympic through the latter surprisingly being held to a 1-1 draw by Wellington United.

Olympic are two points clear of Wairarapa United at the top of the points table but United have a game in hand and with a win being worth three points they remain in a strong position to claim Central League spoils for the first time in their history.

Twice during the course of the game Petone scored breakaway goals to take the lead and twice Wairarapa United fought back strongly to level things up.

"You have to give Petone credit, they took their chances well," Keinzley said. "They certainly asked questions of our guys and I thought we showed a lot of character to stay composed and eventually share the points."

What pleased Keinzley most about the Wairarapa United effort was the quality of their play. They created gaps through accurate passing and equally efficient support play and they had a clear edge in possession.

"When you looked at the players who weren't available, plus the conditions, we pretty much had our backs against the wall and it said a lot for the players that they didn't let that affect them ... honestly they played some of the best football they have all season," Keinzley said.

Player of the match for Wairarapa United was Carl Shailer, who started at left half and then moved to right half from where he scored an excellent goal.

Spearheading a solid defensive effort was James Oxtoby, Dale Higham used his speed to telling effect in midfield and Pita Rabo, who scored the other Wairarapa United goal, performed splendidly, first at centre midfield and then at striker.

Plans to have young Wairarapa United seconds player Chris Cox play up front didn't eventuate because the seconds had a shortage of players and he was part of their side which drew 3-3 with Kapiti Coast United in their Capital fourth division game.

That was a good result for Wairarapa United too as they were 3-0 down going into the last 10 minutes of play. They sit second-equal on the points table.

The Capital second division fixture between Douglas Villa and Upper Hutt City at the Park Sportsground saw the latter win 3-1 while Gardner Electrical Masterton were defeated 8-0 by Victoria University Scarfies in their Capital third division game at Hullena Park.