Central League 2009

The attacking brilliance of Wairarapa United strikers Seule Soromon and Campbell Banks will be tested in their team's Central League football match with Petone at Hullena Park, Masterton, on Sunday.

Petone will field a powerful defensive unit, probably including All White goalkeeper James Ballantyne between the sticks and Team Wellington representative Carl Whelan at fullback, and their clashes with Soromon and Banks should be a feature of what promises to be a entertaining fixture.

Wairarapa United coach Phil Keinzley says the impact made by his two strikers will largely depend on the quality of service provided them by their supports.

"They will always be a threat because of their natural flair but they need time and space on the ball to really cut loose," he said.

The return of proven playmaker Adam Cowan to the midfield should be a major assist to Wairarapa United in that regard and the home team will also want a big game from Nick Roydhouse, another midfielder with the distribution skills to create something out of nothing.

Wairarapa United will also have to be aware too, however, of Petone's own attacking worth. Midfielder Mitchell Pickering and striker Paul Whitmarsh are also Team Wellington regulars and they have played an integral part in their side currently holding fourth place on the Central League points table.

The fine form of goalkeeper Richard Gillespie is an encouraging sign for Wairarapa United though and they should also benefit from the decision to play the
always-consistent Sakeo Valevou at fullback.

He is not only a doughty defender but a player with the speed and inventiveness to set up dangerous counter attacks.

An extra incentive for Wairarapa United to turn on the fireworks on Sunday is the news that coach Keinzley is stepping down from that role because of frustrations caused by the inaction of the Masterton District Council in providing a decent playing surface at what was to be their headquarters, the Pugh Sports Bowl.

Just the three Central League games have been able to be played there this season and without other venues like Queen Elizabeth Park Oval and Hullena Park being made available to them at late notice Wairarapa United's other home games would very likely have been transferred out of the region.

Keinzley's frustrations at the lack of response from council to overtures to improve the Sports Bowl are certainly understandable and it's certainly not the first time the upkeep of sports grounds in the Masterton area has been the subject of criticism in recent times.

Just last summer, for example, questions were justifiably raised over why the main cricket strip at the Park Oval was not suitable for play until well into the club season, and there was also the problem of so-called remedial work at the Park Sportsground meaning wickets there were out of play as well ... I say so-called because the evenness of the grass surface there seems to have improved little because of it.

In fact ,without Rathkeale College and Wairarapa College allowing regular use of their wickets making a draw for club play would have been mission impossible for cricket officialdom.

Sunday's match is likely then to be Keinzley's last home game as Wairarapa United coach and after 15 years of continued service to that organisation nothing would be better to see him finish on a winning note.