Cameron Lindsay, left returns after missing the loss to Miramar Rangers. PHOTO/FILE
FOOTBALL
CHRIS COGDALE
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MEN
Trust House Wairarapa United coach Phil Keinzley is confident his team will respond positively after last Saturday’s humiliating 1-8 loss to Miramar Rangers.
United won’t get a better chance to atone for that below-par effort than at home against Wainuiomata, who are bottom of the table and have yet to register a point in the Central League.
Keinzley said the loss to Miramar hadn’t affected the team’s confidence, and the player had shown good commitment in training.
“We reviewed the video of the game, and each player had a go at talking about each goal, and the team took responsibility for their performance,” he said.
“We struggled in the outside fullback area, and the players were not taking responsibility in adapting to broken play. We know Wainui will … try and attack those areas.”
Wainuiomata are effectively a Western Suburbs B team, given that the team is run by Porirua’s Ole Academy. Keinzley expects a similar style of play as Wests, with a lot of short passing and close support play.
United have played Wainui this year, beating them 2-0 in the preseason Hilton Petone Cup, although Keinzley was reading little into that result.
“We’re a stronger team now, but we can’t afford to be overconfident, given last week’s loss.”
For only the second time this season, Keinzley will have a full squad to choose from. That should see veteran playmaker Paul Ifill and the versatile Cameron Lindsay returning to the starting line-up.
Kick-off is 3.30pm today at Trust House Memorial Park
WOMEN
Today’s W-League clash against Waterside-Karori is a bit of step into the unknown for Tumu ITM Wairarapa United.
The teams have had contrasting starts to the championship. United have three wins and a loss, including a 2-1 win over Wellington United Diamonds, and a 1-3 loss to Palmerston North Marist. Waterside have suffered two losses to those two teams.
“It’s a bit hard to know what they’re about,” United coach Paul Ifill said.
“They’ve had a really tough start with the two games they’ve had. They lost in a close one to Welly and then got beaten by eight by Palmy.
“We saw how strong Palmy can be last week, and we could’ve been on the end of a hiding so we won’t take them lightly.
“We do need to, if we are really having a try at winning the league this year, beat pretty much everybody at home.”
Ifill expects a free-flowing game between the teams, which should suit United’s style.
“In my opinion, they have one of the best forwards in the league in Kaley Ward, who was top scorer in the national league. We must keep an eye on her, but they have other decent players in the squad.”
Midfielder Kelsi Rutene, with a back injury, and defender Molly Woodhead and striker Darby Lambert, with hamstring strains, are doubtful starters. However, Ifill is hopeful of having striker Sam Whyte back from a concussion.
He said there was the depth in the squad to cover the absences, with Renske van Steensel and Casey Scott having performed well when called upon.
Kick-off is at 11.30am today at Trust House Memorial Park.
