Wellington United's George Barbarouses being tracked by Miramar's Nathaneal Hailemariam (photo TJF Photos)
DERBY LOSS LEAVES SEASON HANGING IN THE BALANCE
Monday 28 September 2020
Words Dave Webster \ WUAFC Media
Photo TJF Photos
Football can be a strange and cruel game at times. This years Capital Premier League has certainly been a strange one.
Just three weeks ago Wellington United were in fourth place and playing Western Suburbs in third place. The Western Suburbs coach commented after the one all draw that it seemed bizarre that despite both clubs positions they were still in relegation danger. His words could end up being prophetic for Wellington United who suffered their eighth one goal defeat of the season against traditional rivals Miramar Rangers at Newtown Park on Saturday.
Looking at the table, you would think that finishing in eighth place with a positive goal difference would be enough for Wellington United to secure a spot in next seasons 10 team Capital Premier Division. However thanks to the oddities of football, they could still see themselves relegated. It all depends on the result of the Central League playoff, which will be between Capital Premier winners Wainuiomata and Central Region winners, either Whanganui Athletic or New Plymouth Rangers. If Wainuiomata win, United will stay up, if Wainuiomata lose then they stay in the Capital Premier Division and will be joined by the bottom place team in the Central League (currently Stop Out) which will mean United will be relegated to Capital One.
A second successive relegation will be a bitter pill for the club to swallow after a season in which they have managed to take points off every other club in the league bar Miramar.
As if to show how strange the league has been this season, Miramar have had three Team Wellington players in Nathanael Hailemariam, Rory McKeown and Aaron Spain, playing regular for their Capital Premier side yet found themselves in the dreaded eighth spot going into the game. Given the quality of players in both teams it was unsurprising that the game was a very tight close one with both sides having chances. In the first half United probably just edged it having a couple more chances than Miramar, but they just couldn't get the ball past Phil Imray, who was a late call up, in the Miramar goal.
Miramar's Nathanael Hailemariam broke the deadlock in the 68th minute with a well taken goal. From then on Miramar closed up defended well frustrating United who struggled to create meaningful chances, they did have one that looked as if it was going in when Nacho Deipeanu sent the ball towards the bottom corner but Phil Imray managed to get a hand to it and tip it around the post.
The result saw Miramar leapfrog United in the league, ensuring their safety and also retaining the Commemorative Cup that is on the line when the two clubs meet. Wellington United meanwhile have a nervous wait and will be supporting Wainuiomata, hoping that they can secure promotion in the Central League playoff, which in turn will ensure their place in 2021's Capital Premier Division.
Ends
MATCH DETAILS
Men's Capital Premier Division
Saturday 26 September, 2020
Newtown Park
Wellington United (0) 0
Miramar Rangers (0) 1 (Nathanael Hailemariam)
Just three weeks ago Wellington United were in fourth place and playing Western Suburbs in third place. The Western Suburbs coach commented after the one all draw that it seemed bizarre that despite both clubs positions they were still in relegation danger. His words could end up being prophetic for Wellington United who suffered their eighth one goal defeat of the season against traditional rivals Miramar Rangers at Newtown Park on Saturday.
Looking at the table, you would think that finishing in eighth place with a positive goal difference would be enough for Wellington United to secure a spot in next seasons 10 team Capital Premier Division. However thanks to the oddities of football, they could still see themselves relegated. It all depends on the result of the Central League playoff, which will be between Capital Premier winners Wainuiomata and Central Region winners, either Whanganui Athletic or New Plymouth Rangers. If Wainuiomata win, United will stay up, if Wainuiomata lose then they stay in the Capital Premier Division and will be joined by the bottom place team in the Central League (currently Stop Out) which will mean United will be relegated to Capital One.
A second successive relegation will be a bitter pill for the club to swallow after a season in which they have managed to take points off every other club in the league bar Miramar.
As if to show how strange the league has been this season, Miramar have had three Team Wellington players in Nathanael Hailemariam, Rory McKeown and Aaron Spain, playing regular for their Capital Premier side yet found themselves in the dreaded eighth spot going into the game. Given the quality of players in both teams it was unsurprising that the game was a very tight close one with both sides having chances. In the first half United probably just edged it having a couple more chances than Miramar, but they just couldn't get the ball past Phil Imray, who was a late call up, in the Miramar goal.
Miramar's Nathanael Hailemariam broke the deadlock in the 68th minute with a well taken goal. From then on Miramar closed up defended well frustrating United who struggled to create meaningful chances, they did have one that looked as if it was going in when Nacho Deipeanu sent the ball towards the bottom corner but Phil Imray managed to get a hand to it and tip it around the post.
The result saw Miramar leapfrog United in the league, ensuring their safety and also retaining the Commemorative Cup that is on the line when the two clubs meet. Wellington United meanwhile have a nervous wait and will be supporting Wainuiomata, hoping that they can secure promotion in the Central League playoff, which in turn will ensure their place in 2021's Capital Premier Division.
Ends
MATCH DETAILS
Men's Capital Premier Division
Saturday 26 September, 2020
Newtown Park
Wellington United (0) 0
Miramar Rangers (0) 1 (Nathanael Hailemariam)
