Wairarapa Utd gunning to defend Chatham Cup

Successfully defending the Chatham Cup is still the No1 priority for the Marquis Wairarapa United football squad in 2012.

That is despite the fact they have moved out to a four-point lead in the central league competition, a title they have yet to win.

Coach Phil Keinzley said the greater emphasis on a Chatham Cup repeat was all about avoiding the "oncer" label.

"We don't want to be seen as a one-hit team, we want to show we can compete with the top clubs season after season," Keinzley said. "I guess it's a pride thing. We are No1 now and we want to stay that way."

In a typically frank assessment Keinzley is adamant that if Wairarapa United continue to play the way they have over the first five matches of their central league programme they will have little, or no chance, of pulling off another unbeaten Chatham Cup campaign.

He said the record of four wins and a draw - which has them four points clear of nearest rivals Napier City Rovers, Petone and Wellington United - didn't hide the fact they had yet to produce a full 90-minute effort of quality football.

"I wouldn't go as far to say we are winning ugly but we certainly haven't been playing to anything like our full potential. There is plenty of scope for improvement in so many areas and that needs to come before the Chatham Cup or else we will be history there."

Keinzley said the 3-0 win over Tawa on Saturday highlighted the trend which had been bugging his team all season, a "very ordinary" first half being followed by a much better second.

"We tend to start off by giving away too much possession through impatience but fortunately our opposition haven't yet been able to capitalise on our deficiencies," Keinzley said.

The big surprise in central league matches on Saturday was the 2-2 draw earned by cellar dwellers Maycenvale United with Olympic.

Other results were:

Miramar Rangers 4, Lower Hutt City 1; Napier City Rovers 2, Wellington United 0; Petone 6, Western Suburbs 0.

Competition points are:

Wairarapa United 13, Napier City Rovers 9, Petone 9, Wellington United 9, Olympic 8, Western Suburbs 7, Lower Hutt City 6, Miramar Rangers 4, Tawa 3 and Maycenvale United 1.