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By: Anendra Singh, Hawke's Bay Today  Canadian striker Patryk Misik celebrates his second goal to put Rovers up 2-1 against Waterside Karori in the Central League soccer match today. Photo/Paul Taylor Napier City Rovers signaled their start to the winter soccer league with an emphatic victory at home in a game that yielded 10 goals.
The Thirsty Whale-sponsored Blues thumped Lotto Central League newbies Integration Works Waterside Karori 7-3 in the opening round at Bluewater Stadium, Park Island, on a pristine day that resembled anything but winter although there was enough ISPS Handa Premiership presence on the park for a summery feeling.
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By Anendra Singh, Hawke's Bay Today sports editor Just as it was for the British and Irish Lions rugby team, it was Napier City Rovers game to squander today.
Mercifully the Conroy Removals-sponsored Blues didn't as they thumped a predominantly 10-man Stop Out 4-1 at Bluewater Stadium, Park Island, in their Lotto Central League soccer match. All the pre-match hype was about the physicality the third-placed Wellington visitors were renowned for and today's game lent credence to that approach after they found themselves a player down midway through the first half. Conversely, player/coach Bill Robertson's hosts bided their time to break down the plucky resolve of their opposition. By: Anendra Singh, Hawke's Bay Today Rovers striker Angus Kilkolly keeps Palmerston North Marist midfielder Graham Craven at bay Sometimes good things simply take time and Napier City Rovers lend credence to that when they slowly but surely ground down Palmerston North Marist in Napier today.
It wasn't until early in the second spell that the Conroy Removals-sponsored Rovers found the rub of the green in their 3-0 victory in the Lotto Central League game played in ideal conditions on a sunbathed Bluewater Stadium, with just a soft breeze making the blue flags flutter on the wooden stand.  Jean-Michel Paulin keeps the opposition at Bay Jean-Michel Paulin opened up his Central League goal account when he bagged the opener in the Central League clash against Lower Hutt last weekend.
In the game that resulted in the Blues emerging with a 5-1 victory, Rovers legend Chris McIvor also ensured his name was on the score sheet after he looped a header over the keeper, while prolific scorer Angus Kilkolly netted a hat trick. Scoring his first ever in a Blues jersey the new Canadian signing, Paulin, couldn't hide his delight. By Anendra Singh, Hawke's Bay Today  Blues midfielder Fahad Rwakarambwe tries to keep Lower Hutt City counterpart Guillaume Mouaha at Bay as Canadian import Oliver Coren watches at Marewa Park, Napier, today. PHOTO/Duncan Brown Rain was always going to dictate play today but Napier City Rovers took matters into their own hands for an emphatic victory over Lower Hutt City in Napier today. The resurgent Fergus Neil-captained Rovers thrashed a predominantly 10-men Canaries 5-1 after the Lotto Central League soccer match By Anendra Singh, Hawkes Bay Today  Rovers Joshua Stevenson (centre) receives a hug from Angus Kilkolly as Jean-Michel Paulin approves of the equaliser against Olympic in Napier. PHOTO/Paul Taylor Napier City Rovers showed no respect for rankings when they thrashed Wellington Olympic in Napier today.
The Conroy Removals-sponsored Blues led 2-1 at halftime before absorbing everything the Greeks threw at them to prevail 4-1 at the final whistle of the Lotto Central League match at Bluewater Stadium, Park Island. By Anendra Singh, Hawke's Bay Today  Napier City Rovers player James Hoyle (left) scored a goal in the 19th minute against Team Taranaki yesterday. Photo / File, Hawke's Bay Today The physicality stakes were high but Napier City Rovers have beaten comeback kids Team Taranaki in New Plymouth.
"It was a very good win on the road from a long trip - it was good to come away with three points," said Conroy Removals-sponsored Blues player/coach Bill Robertson after the 4-1 victory in the Lotto Central League soccer match at Yarrow Stadium. The visitors went up 1-0 after just two minutes from striker Jorge Akers. James Hoyle made it 2-0 in the 19th before veteran Chris McIvor extended it to 3-0 with a 35th-minute goal. However, Wade Randle pulled one back for Taranaki to make it 3-1 five minutes before halftime. Prolific scorer Angus Kilkolly put Taranaki out of their misery in the 75th minute after the hosts lost a midfielder for kicking the Rovers striker off the ball. "It was a South American player and I don't know his name but it was a few minutes after the goal. He kicked out at Angus after a scuffle for the ball and got a straight red card." Robertson gave a tick to the pitch on a clear day. That enabled them to bring the ball down and play a passing brand of game. "I can see how they got results with a few good wins this year because they are a very physical side and took points off teams," he said. He was not concerned the Blues still sat below Taranaki on the table. Taranaki, he said, stepped up to play the game higher in the second half in an attempt to put more pressure on the Rovers but the damage was done by halftime. The Rovers host defending champions Wellington Olympic at Park Island in a 2pm kick-off this Sunday. - Hawkes Bay Today By Anendra Singh, Hawke's Bay Today  Photo by Duncan Brown .Blues player-coach Bill Robertson has been doing the rounds in the elite premier and summer leagues but hasn't yet come across Team Taranaki.
"In my time as assistant coach and coach, I have never played against them," says Robertson, who will resume his post as centre back tomorrow for Conroy Removals Napier City Rovers now his campaign is over for Stirling Sports Premiership (national summer league) side Team Wellington. By Anendra Singh, Hawke's Bay Today  Wanderers player Liam Carrington (left) tries to keep Rovers substitute striker Jorge Akers honest in the Chatham Cup derby match in Napier today. PHOTO/Duncan Brown. Napier City Rovers predictably made short work of Havelock North Wanderers in their opening-round Chatham Cup derby today.
The Conroy Removals-sponsored Blues exposed the gulf between the Lotto-sponsored leagues - Central League and Federation League - in their 3-1 victory at Park Island.  50 and counting: Angus Kilkolly scores 50th goal in 60 games for Napier City Rovers. Angus Kilkollly was on target against Palmerston North Marist yesterday, netting a hat-trick and scoring his 50th goal for Napier City Rovers in the 4-2 win.
The striker, who made his debut for Rovers in 2014, and is now in his fourth season, reached the half-century mark in his 60th Blues appearance. The 20 year-old achieved the feat in the second-half of the match at Memorial Park after he converted from the penalty spot to complete a hat-trick. It was a robust performance from Rovers after a shaky start to the 2017 Central League campaign. |
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