Wairarapa United’s Kelsi Rutene rises high for a header. PHOTO/WENDY TURTON
FOOTBALL
JAKE BELESKI
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The Wairarapa United women’s team continued their dominant form with a convincing 3-1 win over Seatoun Association Football Club in testing conditions on Saturday.
The winless Seatoun side hosted United on a windy day in Wellington but the visitors kept their composure to eventually distance themselves on the scoreboard.
Kelsi Rutene opened the scoring for United, but that was the only scoring of the first half as both teams struggled to find their rhythm.
Meisha Boone added a second for United in the second half, before Seatoun hit back to cut the deficit to 2-1.
But it was United who had the final say as Gorji van Lienen scored to restore the two-goal buffer.
Coach Paul Ifill said it was an important result heading into next weekend’s match against the unbeaten Wellington United Diamonds side.
“It was testing conditions but we played well with the wind in the first half, and I was hoping we would have a bigger lead at halftime.
“It’s not the best we’ve played overall but it was pleasing to get the win.
Ifill said this week’s clash with the Diamonds would be a “massive” occasion for his team.
“If they win this week, they’ve probably won the league.
“It’s still early days but they’ve been dominant so far.
“We’ve been playing well, though, and we’ll be going into the match in good form.”
There is a five-point gap between the Diamonds and United, but that could be closed to two points if United can beat them this weekend.
The last time the two sides met, the Diamonds won 1-0, but this time the match will be played at Memorial Park in Masterton.
Meanwhile, Wairarapa United men’s team lost 6-1 to Western Suburbs on Sunday. Hamish Watson was the goalscorer for United.
