Lower Hutt City
A young, inexperienced Wairarapa United kicked off their Wellington Women’s Division One campaign with a narrow loss to Lower Hutt City at Fraser Park on Sunday.
Despite the loss, player-coach Holly Rausch reckoned there were some good signs from the side, which featured five players making their debut.
“We’ve got numbers now and lots of young ones coming in from the schools, which is great,” Rausch said.
“We just need to connect more as a team. That was our first time playing together, and it’s just going to take a few games to get to know how each other plays and use our skills.”
Although United are missing national age group squad member Vanessa Taylor, now playing in the Central League for Wellington United Diamonds and Romy Ifill, there is still a core of experienced players in Rausch, Anna O’Connor, Annie Jones, and Renske van Steensel, and Rausch believed that will hold the team in good stead as the season progresses.
“We’ll do well. I think it will take us a couple of games to get to know each other and people to get used to the grade, but on paper and looking at the skill level, it’s very high, and I think it’s that connection part that we’re missing at the moment.”
United host Miramar Rangers in their first game at the new home venue at the Solway Showgrounds on Sunday kicking off at 2pm.
