Central League Thread

A midfielder who has played in the German national league fourth division will be part of the Wairarapa United central league squad in 2011.

Wairarapa United coach Phil Keinzley signed Sascha Backer, 21, after he heard Backer would be spending about three months in the Wairarapa while visiting a friend in Greytown.

"It's a lucky break for us, you don't often get players of his quality arriving on your doorstep," Keinzley said.

Backer was one of three new players confirmed by Keinzley yesterday; the other two being Nathan Cooksley and Scott Robson.

Cooksley is part of Manawatu's national league squad and plays in the midfield or at fullback while Robson is in the Team Wellington line-up which has made the semifinals of the national league. He too can play in midfield or at fullback.

"They are very talented players whose versatility will add considerably to the options we have," Keinzley said.

A depleted Wairarapa United team, made up of just 10 players, played a pre-season match against Upper Hutt over the weekend and their performance attracted a mixed response from Keinzley who was happy with the character shown in coming from 0-2 down to draw 2-2 but concerned at the fitness levels shown by some of the side.

"We played some useful football, but there is obviously work to do on fitness - and time is running out," he said, noting that the central league season starts on April 2.

The Wairarapa United seconds also had a pre-season game over the weekend, securing a 2-0 win over Douglas Villa's premier side at Carterton.