Wairarapa Times-Age E-Edition

French flair’s final outing

CHRIS COGDALE chris.cogdale@age.co.nz

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Wairarapa United vs Petone French midfielder Hugo Delhommelle will play his last game for Trust House Wairarapa United in today’s Central League away clash with Petone.

Delhommelle has been one of the standout performers for fifth-placed United, but has been poached by Miramar Rangers as part of their raid on rival clubs to strengthen their squad for the national championship.

United coach Phil Keinzley said Delhommelle was a big loss, but expected another solid performance in his farewell appearance for the club against the defensively-minded Petone.

“As the season is going on, Petone are getting very good at ‘parking the bus’ in front of goal and just working for the counterattack,” he said.

“We beat them 4-2 with a weakened side in the first round, but we must have patience and discipline.”

Keinzley said he has been working hard on the defence, with the team leaking 17 goals in the past four games.

If other games go to form, United could end the weekend ahead of Western Suburbs in the race for the vital fourth place and a spot in the national championship.

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Wairarapa United vs Victoria University

Tumu IT Wairarapa United coach Paul Ifill is predicting a tough battle against Victoria in their W-league second round away match.

United won the first-round game 6-2 but their opponents have improved a lot since then Ifill reckons.

“They drew with Petone the league and beat them the Cup so we won’t be in in

complacent,” he said.

“They always defend hard, and we’ll have to work hard to break them down. Their pitch is so small, it suits how they will probably play with two banks of four and make it really difficult for us.”

Experienced midfielder Kelsi Rutene is out with a foot stress fracture but Sam Whyte, Nicole Robertson, and Holly Rausch are back after missing last Saturday’s 14-0 rout over New Plymouth Rangers in the Kate Sheppard Cup.

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2021-06-12T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-06-12T07:00:00.0000000Z

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