Greytown 4
Petone U20s 1
Greyfriars Motel Greytown are on their way to Capital Division Two after wrapping up promotion on Saturday with two rounds left in the season.
There remains a remote chance Greytown could take out the Capital Three title if they win their last two games and leaders Upper Hutt City lose both games. The two are scheduled to meet in the final game at Greytown on August 12.
The prospects weren’t looking good for Greytown early on Saturday when they went behind to a Petone goal in the first few minutes, but coach Phil Keinzley said they dominated play after that.
Josh Stevenson equalised after 11 minutes and added the second two minutes later. Goals a minute apart close to halftime to captain Jarrod MacDonald and Landon Palmer gave the home side a commanding 4-1 lead at the break.
There was no scoring in the second 45 minutes, although Greytown came close only to be denied when the ball stopped in the muddy goalmouth after the goalkeeper was beaten.
Keinzley felt the win was probably one of the team’s best efforts of the season, with a strong defensive performance, and there was plenty of motivation.
“We were well prepared for it and were out to get at least a point. The other thing, Petone was the only team we hadn’t taken points off, and we haven’t lost at home for more than 12 months, so there were all those motivating things,” Keinzley said.
“We wanted to get promotion as a minimum definitely, and about three weeks ago, it didn’t look like we were going to do that when we lost three games in a row, and we were in trouble. “
The game was one of the few to go ahead in Wairarapa on Saturday, with many grounds closed because of the sodden conditions, but it took some hard work to get Soldiers Memorial Park ready for the clash.
“About eight of us spent half of Friday getting water off the pitch, so it was about the best it has been for about three months,” Keinzley added.
Greytown are away to Brooklyn Northern United on Saturday for their penultimate match of the season.
Meanwhile, Tumu Douglas Villa moved within a whisker of winning promotion to Capital Division One without taking the field on Saturday.
Tawa Reserves defaulted their Division Two clash at Park Sports Ground, gifting Douglas Villa three points and taking them to one point from securing second place with three games to play.
Douglas Villa can wrap up promotion when they host seventh-placed Stokes Valley on Saturday.
WOMEN
Wairarapa United 5
Otaki Kaeaea 0
Wairarapa United strengthened their grip on the lead in Capital Women’s Division One with a commanding 5-0 win over Otakia Kaeaea.
United were untroubled in cruising to victory at Trust House Memorial Park over the team promoted from division two at the end of the first round.
Goals went to Meisha Pyke in the first half. Vanessa Taylor, Isla Carnachan, Romy Ifill and goalkeeper Lizzie Keedwell, who stepped up to successfully take a penalty, scored in the second spell.
The win gives United a three-point lead in the championship race, with a game in hand.
Captain Holly Rausch said there is a good feeling within the team, and the players are positive they can take out the championship.
United next play Miramar Rangers Seconds away on Sunday.
