Central League 2009

Sacha Nathu to Wairarapa

Wairarapa United continued their build-up for their debut season in the Central League soccer competition with a 6-1 thrashing off Petone at Petone on Saturday.

The victory came hard on the heels of a 7-1 beating off North Wellington the previous weekend but was much more significant.

Whereas North Wellington are a Capital premier division side Petone actually finished runners-up in last year's central league series and are confidently expected to make another bold showing in 2009.

Coach Phil Keinzley admits the ease of Saturday's win caught the whole Wairarapa United camp by surprise but he was quick to emphasise the danger of reading too much into it.

"We played well, no doubt about that, but it's too early to get carried away," he warned.

"We've still got plenty to work on and so have they, that's the bottom line."

Keinzley did concede, however, there were several promising aspects to Wairarapa United's play.

Firstly, they had shown better communication and accuracy when building attacks from deep in their own territory.

Secondly the value of having as many as five or six players capable of turning scoring into opportunities into goals was evidenced by the fact that the six recorded on Saturday came courtesy of four players & Seule Soromon, who followed a hat-trick against North Wellington with another three on this occasion, Paul Gregory, Kote Maeno and Sakeo Valevou.

And, thirdly, they showed good control in midfield despite their key player there, Miriek Tvaroh, rolling an ankle early in the game and taking no further part in the action.

Another huge plus for Wairarapa United was the excellent work in goal by Sacha Nathu who has been signed to replace Matt Borren, such a sterling performer in the 'keeping role last year.

Borren's consistently good form then saw him rewarded with selection in Team Manawatu which made it to the semi-finals of the national league but it also brought bad news for Wairarapa United as he was offered a position with a Palmerston North-based Central League side for the 2009 season, and took up the offer.

Nathu, however, promises to be a more-than-adequate replacement. The former Junior All White, University of Cincinnati and Team Wellington player, actually had a short stint with Wairarapa United in 2003 before being lured away to play in a higher division for Miramar Rangers.

He was part of the Olympic club's Central League team last season and was set to play for them again this year before Borren's situation changed his mind, a decision helped by his living in Martinborough and the lessening of the time factor required to attend training sessions on a regular basis.

"He's a huge gain for us, he's just what we needed," Keinzley said of Nathu.

"A quality 'keeper is an absolute necessity at central league and he gives us that. A couple of his saves on Saturday were really outstanding."

Nathu was by no means the only individual to shine for Wairarapa United against Petone. Soromon terrorised the opposition defence with his speed and superb ball skills, Gregory slotted in well as a defensive midfielder capable of pushing forward in an effective manner and Valevou was always a threat in an attacking sense.

Coach Keinzley was disappointed though that Petone got themselves on the scoreboard, not because their efforts did not deserve a goal but because it came through some sloppy defence from Wairarapa United.

"It was a soft goal and it was a lesson about what happens if you don't stay focused against the better teams, they will punish you every time.".

Wairarapa United's Central League campaign officially kicks off on Sunday, April 5, when they will play Wellington United at the Miramar club's home ground in Wellington.

The venue of this game had earlier been shifted from the capital to the Pugh Sports Bowl in Masterton because of Wellington United's home ground of Newtown Park being booked for another event but the availability of Miramar's facility has seen Capital Soccer have another change of heart.

It's a move which is actually a bonus for Wairarapa United as it gives remedial work being carried out at the Pugh Sports Bowl another week to come to fruition

Team Taranaki faces a potentially season-defining opening fortnight to football's Central League this season.

The composite side travels to defending champions Miramar Rangers on Saturday, before tackling perennial title challengers Napier City Rovers and highly touted newcomer Wairarapa United during Easter Weekend.

A home match against Palmerston North Marist follows on April 18.

New coach Ian McGrath, who led Francis Douglas Memorial College to a creditable second in the Taranaki premiers last season, says he is treating the first four matches of the year as an extended pre-season.

"I'll be judging where we are at after those four games, but I'll certainly be targeting two wins in those matches," the former Aldershot professional said.

This might seem an ambitious target for a side that won only five matches all season last year and failed to record a single three-pointer in 2007.

But McGrath has recruited well with teenage striker Tomas Mosquera following the coach from Francis Douglas and live-wire attacker Robbie Pringle joining from the defunct Waitara prems side.

Bolstering the Taranaki defence will be towering central defender Greg Clark, who has returned to the province after playing Northern Premier League for Lynn Avon in Auckland.

"He's got years of experience at an equivalent level and is a great signing for us," said McGrath, of the veteran who played for NP Rangers in the National League during the 1990s.

Unfortunately Clark will have to sit out the season opener because of a suspension carried over from last season.

Other additions include former Team Taranaki squad members Trent Lazarus, who returns later this month after a stint playing in Germany, and midfielder Mark Bland.

Missing from this year's line-up will be former captain James Grieve, who has returned to Scotland, and striker Nathan Hill, who is also overseas.

McGrath, who has had the luxury of a decent pre-season this year, including a 5-1 win over Hawera, and creditable 2-1 losses to Melville United and Marist, has set retaining Central League status as the principal goal for the season.

"Staying in the league by right is the first and only priority and anything else building on last year's finishing position and results will be a bonus."

Despite this McGrath, who holds New Zealand and European coaching qualifications, still wants his side to be easy on the eye.<!--<span ="ad_island_feedback"> <a href="#" target="_blank"><img src="images/downarrow.gif" height="5" width="8" border="0" /></a> <a href="#" target="_blank">Ad Feedback</a></span>--> loadAd('300x250','STORYBODY',300,250);

"I am looking for the team to play with a passion and hunger that typifies the Taranaki spirit and add to that an ability to pass the ball well, retain possession and be positive in attack," he said.

"If we can develop that type of mental and physical approach to our game then we will have the ability to be very competitive this season."