Wairarapa United - never say die

Wairarapa United came back from the dead to draw 3-3 with Western Suburbs in their central league football match played on a wet and slippery Pugh Sports Bowl in Masterton yesterday.
The home team looked set for a drubbing when they conceded three goals in a four-minute period about midway through the first half and went to the break still 3-0 in arrears.
Defensively they had often been caught at sixes and sevens by the youthful and energetic Wests front-runners, who relished the wealth of quality ball given them by their midfield. Apart from the notable exception of the hard-working Seule Soromon, there was a noticeable lack of sting in Wairarapa United's attacking play.
The second spell, however, was a completely different story. With Wests adopting a mainly defensive approach to protect their lead, Wairarapa United were able to press forward in numbers and, with Soromon continuing to lead the way, they launched attack after attack. Brilliant individual efforts by Soromon saw him score two goals in quick succession and, when Carl Shailer added a third goal with still five minutes to play, hopes of a remarkable victory to the home side were raised.
However, it was not to be, with Wests managing to twice clear the ball from melees just metres from the goalmouth.
Soromon was clearly the standout player for Wairarapa United.
The end result was not good news for either Wests or Wairarapa United in terms of their central league title aspirations as, while competition leaders Miramar Rangers were upset by Napier City Rovers, it meant they still have a nice cushion at the head of the points table.