Wellington United's Paul Owaci heads the ball (Photo TJF Photos)
30 MARCH ROUND UP
Monday 1 April 2019
Words : WUAFC Media
TOUGH START FOR UNITED IN CENTRAL LEAGUE
It was a baptism of fire for Wellington United's new era under Rapha Christians when they were soundly defeated 8-0 by Lower Hutt City.
Having only 8 eligible players on Thursday evening, Friday saw some frantic work from the United backroom staff to ensure players were registered and some last minute negotiations with other clubs, to release players to ensure a team took the field on Saturday.
No longer having a joint venture with the Phoenix Academy meant the coaching staff have had to recruit a team from scratch and with very little time to do it the club has effectively not had a pre season. Ironically they were facing the club where the Phoenix Academy now call home, Lower Hutt City.
The lack of pre season affected United alot, with fitness still an issue and players still trying to work out combinations on the field. Christians said the first 25 minutes were good and showed what United could do. Lower Hutt City assistant coach, Steve Coleman agreed saying the first 20 or so minutes were a very close battle, but once they got the first goal the game changed. From then on he felt Lower Hutt showed more intensity and incisiveness and gave him a very pleasing start to the season.
For United coach Chrstians there is plenty to work on, although amazingly after such a big loss United don't find themselves bottom of the table as Wairarapa United went down 10-0 to Wellington Olympic!
DIAMONDS INTO KELLY CUP BOWL FINAL AFTER COMFORTABLE WIN
Diamonds started the game with a presentation to Left Back Sarah Alder, who was making her 100th appearance for the club in this Kelly Cup Bowl semi-final game against Petone. Diamonds playing a new formation with three at the back, dominated possesion and territory over the W-League newcomers. Goals in either half, 1 to Emma Main, her first for the club and 1 to Jemma Robertson gave United a comfortable 2-0 victory and they will meat old foes Palmerston North Marist in the Kelly Cup Bowl Final next Saturday
SAPPHIRES FALL SHORT
Capital Premier side, The Sapphires came up against last years W-League runners up, Wairarapa United and gave an excellent account of themselves in a 2-1 loss. Last season the Sapphires were described by eventual premier league champions, Waterside Karori, as the best footballing side in the league. It looks as ifENDS this will be the case again this season with the new players fitting in easily and the team playing some lovely football. Unfortuently they were unable to find the back of the net until the last kick of the game when Sam Whyte converted a penalty. Wairarapa tended to rely on the pace of their forwards and it paid off with them winning 2-1
ENDS
MATCH DETAILS
ULTRA CENTRAL LEAGUE
Wellington United 0
Lower Hutt City 8
KELLY CUP BOWL
Petone 0
Wellington United Diamonds 2 (Emma Main, Jemma Robertson)
KELLY CUP PLATE
Wairarapa United 2
Wellington United Sapphires 1 (Sam Whyte (PEN))
It was a baptism of fire for Wellington United's new era under Rapha Christians when they were soundly defeated 8-0 by Lower Hutt City.
Having only 8 eligible players on Thursday evening, Friday saw some frantic work from the United backroom staff to ensure players were registered and some last minute negotiations with other clubs, to release players to ensure a team took the field on Saturday.
No longer having a joint venture with the Phoenix Academy meant the coaching staff have had to recruit a team from scratch and with very little time to do it the club has effectively not had a pre season. Ironically they were facing the club where the Phoenix Academy now call home, Lower Hutt City.
The lack of pre season affected United alot, with fitness still an issue and players still trying to work out combinations on the field. Christians said the first 25 minutes were good and showed what United could do. Lower Hutt City assistant coach, Steve Coleman agreed saying the first 20 or so minutes were a very close battle, but once they got the first goal the game changed. From then on he felt Lower Hutt showed more intensity and incisiveness and gave him a very pleasing start to the season.
For United coach Chrstians there is plenty to work on, although amazingly after such a big loss United don't find themselves bottom of the table as Wairarapa United went down 10-0 to Wellington Olympic!
DIAMONDS INTO KELLY CUP BOWL FINAL AFTER COMFORTABLE WIN
Diamonds started the game with a presentation to Left Back Sarah Alder, who was making her 100th appearance for the club in this Kelly Cup Bowl semi-final game against Petone. Diamonds playing a new formation with three at the back, dominated possesion and territory over the W-League newcomers. Goals in either half, 1 to Emma Main, her first for the club and 1 to Jemma Robertson gave United a comfortable 2-0 victory and they will meat old foes Palmerston North Marist in the Kelly Cup Bowl Final next Saturday
SAPPHIRES FALL SHORT
Capital Premier side, The Sapphires came up against last years W-League runners up, Wairarapa United and gave an excellent account of themselves in a 2-1 loss. Last season the Sapphires were described by eventual premier league champions, Waterside Karori, as the best footballing side in the league. It looks as ifENDS this will be the case again this season with the new players fitting in easily and the team playing some lovely football. Unfortuently they were unable to find the back of the net until the last kick of the game when Sam Whyte converted a penalty. Wairarapa tended to rely on the pace of their forwards and it paid off with them winning 2-1
ENDS
MATCH DETAILS
ULTRA CENTRAL LEAGUE
Wellington United 0
Lower Hutt City 8
KELLY CUP BOWL
Petone 0
Wellington United Diamonds 2 (Emma Main, Jemma Robertson)
KELLY CUP PLATE
Wairarapa United 2
Wellington United Sapphires 1 (Sam Whyte (PEN))
