Wairarapa United take on bogeymen

Marquis Wairarapa United travel over the hill tomorrow to take on mid-table Lower Hutt City in a Central League fixture at Bell Park, the first time the two sides have squared off this season.

The home side have been something of a bogey team for United in the past, winning both fixtures last season although United had revenge when the two sides met in the Chatham Cup.

"They tend to lift their game against us," coach Phil Keinzley said.

"They've got some good young players so we'll have to be on our toes." Keinzley will be without the services of defender Carl Shailer, who is injured, while influential midfielder Pita Rabo is also a doubtful starter.

United hold a four-point lead over Wellington Olympic at the top of the Central League ladder and will be keen to maintain that advantage.

Lower Hutt went down 2-0 to Napier City Rovers last weekend and will be keen to bounce back from that reversal.

Keinzley and the United squad will have half an eye on Sunday's fixture which sees second-placed Olympic host third-placed Napier City Rovers at Newtown Park.

The Hawke's Bay team would do United a huge favour by coming away with the spoils from that encounter.

Meanwhile, United's second string team, competing in the Capital 4 division, managed a 1-1 draw against Wainuiomata last weekend courtesy of a Steve Coleman strike.

This lifts United to equal-third on points with the top two teams gaining promotion.

United travel to cellar-dwellers Tawa tomorrow and a win could move them in to one of the promotion spots.

In Capital 2, Douglas Villa will be keen to bounce back from a 4-1 loss against Naenae when they kick off against Wellington United at Park Sportsground at 2.30pm.

This is another battle of the cellar-dwellers, with both teams standing on five points.

In Capital 3, Gardner Electrical Masterton kick off at Hullena Park hoping to get back to winning ways after a 2-1 loss last weekend against Island Bay.

Masterton take on bottom-placed Marist and will be keen to add to their nine-point tally for the season to date.