Scott Morris will make his first appearance of the season. PHOTOS/FILE
Struggling club to welcome back veteran ace striker
FOOTBALL
CHRIS COGDALE
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Wairarapa United are keen to welcome back ace striker Seule Soromon for today’s Central League match with Waterside-Karori at Karori Park.
The former Vanuatu international striker, who has played more than 150 games for Wairarapa United, had been appearing for Hutt Valley’s Stop Out club in the early part of this season but now wants to come back.
Coach Cory Chettleburgh said on Thursday he was hopeful Soromon would be available to play today.
“Seule has put a lot of time into Wairarapa United over the years and is keen to return to help out the club in their fight against relegation.
“All we’re waiting on is a release from Stop Out and hopefully …”
United will also get a boost with the return of first choice goalkeeper Scott Morris, the club’s 2018 Youth Player of the Year, who has missed the first part of the season with a back injury.
Captain and midfielder Daniel Allen also returns, veteran playmaker Paul Ifill is back to full fitness after recovering from hamstring injury, and Chettleburgh will play his last match before undergoing knee surgery.
Chettleburgh is relishing fielding a full-strength team and is hoping to break the losing habit, which has seen United drawing one and losing nine of their 10 games.
“We took some confidence from the North Wellington game [lost 4-6] and how we scored so easily at times.
“I’m pretty confident we’re improving and can pick up a win or two.”
Meanwhile, Tumu ITM Wairarapa United women’s team coach Ifill won’t be taking Waterside-Karori lightly in the W-League match at Karori today.
United lead the league on 12 points, with the Wharfies one of three teams on nine points.
Ifill has previously labelled Wharfies as one of the teams who have strengthened their squad in the off-season and their results would indicate that.
They have beaten Western Suburbs, who knocked over United a fortnight ago, and recorded narrow losses to league heavyweights Wellington United Diamonds and Palmerston North Marist.
