Sparking Wests share top spot

Tawa AFC and Western Suburbs have had contrasting starts to the new Central League season.

After two rounds, Wests are unbeaten, with a 4-1 shellacking of Wellington United on April 14 followed by a 5-0 win over Maycenvale in Hastings on Sunday. They join Petone on six points at the top of the table.

Tawa, meanwhile, have conceded nine goals in their first two encounters, 5-0 to Lower Hutt on April 14 and 4-2 to Olympic at Redwood on Saturday.

Their brilliant win over Olympic in the final of the Hilton Petone pre-season tournament is now a distant memory for new coach Maarten Romijn.

‘‘It’s been disappointing, a tough start to the season for us,’’ he says. Injuries, suspension and the absence of key players such as Todd Painter and Scott Cameron have not helped their cause, and Romijn is expecting to lose one or two others overseas soon.

‘‘We have a very good squad, we find it more difficult to recruit like other teams might do, but we have excellent players coming out of Tawa College and there is a good base locally. Only one of our squad is over 30 and the second team have had a good start in Capital 1, so there is depth and ability there.

‘‘Every game at this level is hard but we have shown we are capable of beating any team on the day and I’m aiming for at least top four.’’

There is a full round of Central League action tomorrow (Anzac Day), with Wests taking on the powerful Wairarapa United at Endeavour Park, and Tawa hosting Miramar Rangers at Redwood.

Games kick off at 2.30pm.