Wairarapa United prove a real handful

Marquis Wairarapa United maintained their four-point advantage at the top of the Central League ladder, completing the double over Western Suburbs with a 5-1 victory at Howard Booth Park on Saturday.

Played in front of a good sized crowd, United took an early two-goal lead when strikers Seule Soromon and Paul Ryder both broke free to find the back of the net.

Suburbs reduced the deficit almost immediately from the restart with what coach Phil Keinzley described as "yet another soft goal conceded", before Soromon had the chance to restore the two-goal cushion from the penalty spot after a harsh hand ball decision given against Suburbs.

Soromon, however, blasted the ball straight at former Wairarapa 'keeper Matt Borren, who gathered safely, which was probably justice served in light of the harshness of the penalty decision.

United played with the stiff breeze at their backs in the second half but were unable to add to the score in a scrappy first 20 minutes through a combination of loose passing in midfield, poor option-taking and Soromon's inability to stay onside when attacks were being mounted. That caused some frustration among the other United players and upset their rhythm.

Suburbs dominated this phase of play in territory and possession but were unable to break through to really put Wairarapa keeper Phil Imray to the test, courtesy of a resolute back four.

As the half wore on, however, United reverted to playing to its strengths - balls to feet and spreading the play wide to attack down the flanks - and were rewarded with three more goals.

Paul Ryder added the third with a powerful shot from the edge of the box after being put through, Soromon added a second to his tally with a strong header direct from a free kick and defender Tim Shaeffers rounded off the scoring when he pushed forward and lobbed the ball over Borren from close range.

Despite the final score, coach Keinzley wasn't ready to heap praise on his team's display after the final whistle.

"We still can't help conceding soft goals and continue making life hard for ourselves," he said.

"But we looked way better when the ball went wide and we started going round them."

Keinzley conceded that, in general, the defence played well.

He singled out centre backs Nathan Cooksley and Waisake Sabatu for mention, together with front runner Paul Ryder who took his two goals well.

"Ryder's a good finisher and he put really himself about today. And overall, the back four were tight but they didn't get the cover they deserved from midfield. I would go as far as labelling one contribution from midfield as lazy."

The win puts United on 23 points, four points ahead of second-placed Wellington Olympic, who downed Petone 4-1.

"We're actually three points better off than I reckoned we might be at this stage of the season," Keinzley said.

"That's one bonus I'm taking from today's game."