Football: Rovers defender Hoyle paints brighter picture after cup loss

James Hoyle (left) and captain Fergus Neil shut the door on Stop Out striker Micky Malivuk in a league clash last season. PHOTO/FILE

Mentally and physically spent, it's never easy for teams to lift themselves off the floor following a classic battle the round before in any sporting arena.

Just ask Conroy Removals Napier City Rovers after their epic 5-4 loss at the hands of Keinzley Agvet Wairarapa during their third-round IPIS Handa Chatham Cup encounter in Napier last Sunday.

But, gut-wrenching as such knockout blows can be, the Bill Robertson and Stu James-coached Blues have taken it on the chin and hit the reset button on other important goals in the Lotto Central League campaign with an eye to the bigger picture for some lads, the Stirling Sports Premiership in summer.

Rovers centreback James Hoyle, who has made the defensive role his trade now alongside captain Fergus Neil, says they had dug deep to claw their way back from two goals down against Wairarapa but it was not to be, curtailing their cup journey.

"You know, we're not too disappointed as everyone knows we're a young, developing group so we'll move on," says Hoyle, who hails from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, in England.

The 21-year-old, who is in his third season with the flagship Blues team, says one of the league goals is to claim victory in their remaining home games.

That starts tomorrow in a 2pm kick-off at Bluewater Stadium, weather permitting, against Stop Out.

It's away against Wairarapa in Masterton next weekend and then Wellington United on July 22. The Rovers will roll out the carpet for Miramar Rangers and Team Taranaki before ending the season on the road against Wellington Olympic on August 12.

On paper, Hoyle believes Wairarapa United are stronger than league leaders Western Suburbs despite the latter crushing the former 5-1, leading up to the cup game.

"Suburbs have been good this year but there are good central and national league guys playing for Wairarapa."

Hoyle says Stop Out won't be easy, although the Blues have improved since their 3-2 loss away to the Hutt team on April 23.

"They have always been a tough side for us to beat," says Hoyle of the Chris Sambrooke-coached side. "You know, we're confident we're going to win but they are one of the more physical but technically gifted sides in the league."

For the Thirsty Whale Hawke's Bay United player, who had three starts and came off the bench, and a few younger players, securing a national summer league contract is crucial.

"We can use the Rovers and the rest of the winter to prove ourselves, hopefully, into summer."

Hoyle says the water hasn't been too good to them at Bluewater Stadium but lauds the volunteers and back-room staff at the club for maintaining the surface.

Rain is forecast throughout the weekend but Hoyle says he's enjoyed the season and the attitude of the club since arriving here with brother Stephen Hoyle, a striker who has grabbed the opportunity to work and play in Christchurch after plying his trade with Canterbury United in summer.

BOTH TEAMS

■ NAPIER CITY ROVERS: Kyle Baxter (GK), 2 Blake Koolen, 6 Oliver Coren, 7 Jean-Michel Paulin, 8 Karan Mandair, 9 Angus Kilkolly, 10 Fahad Rwakarambwe, 12 Ethan Ladd, 14 Joshua Stevenson (vc), 15 James Hoyle, 17 Fergus Neil (c), 18 Ross Willox, 20 Charlie Yexley, Dan Robinson (RGK).

Coach: Bill Robertson.
Ast coach: Stu James.

■ STOP OUT: James McPeake (GK), 2 Jono Steele, 3 James Sharp, 4 Scott Henderson, 5 Kade Schrijvers, 6 Devon Batchelor, 7 Martin Packer, 8 Justin Gulley, 9 Jerram Tuck, 10 Micky Malivuk, 11 Andrew Abba, 12 Daniel de Gans, 13 Brayan Heredia, 14 Luke Grindlay, 16 Jason Tipping, 17 Steve Guley, 18 Cherbel Khouchaba, 19 Levi Mcfarlane, Chris Campbell (RGK).

Coach: Chris Sambrooke.