Football: Rovers have score to settle with arch rivals Wairarapa Utd in Chatham Cup

Napier City Rovers player/coach Bill Robertson says Wairarapa United have the resources to recruit elite player around the country, something the Blues don't have. Photo / File

Napier City Rovers will host fellow Central League campaigners Wairarapa United in round three of the Chatham Cup soccer match later this month.

The Conroy Removals-sponsored Blues will opt for the usual 2pm kick-off time, subject to NZ Football approval, on Sunday, June 25, at the Bluewater Stadium, Park Island.

"It's great to have a home game again," said player-coach Bill Robertson whose troops pipped Wellington Olympic 2-1 at home last Sunday.

"An away game, for us, means we're travelling for four hours while for others it's their home game so it's a huge bonus for us."

Robertson said Wairarapa, who had just slipped from to second place on the table of the Lotto-sponsored elite winter league table, were going to be a tough opposition.

Wairarapa edged out the Fergus Neil-captained Rovers 4-3 in their Central league encounter here on April 17 in their only game so far this winter.

"The players are already looking forward to it," said Robertson.

His men were leading 1-0 against Wairarapa until the heavens opened at halftime to swing the momentum in favour of the visitors who had adapted a "direct" approach much quicker than the hosts.

"To be honest it turned into a bit of a lottery so we were a little disappointed because we were quite comfortable [until that stage]."

However, he said a lot of water had flowed under the bridge since for a team who had the resources to recruit elite players.

Robertson said some of the marquee teams had byes into the first two rounds and some played lower-tier oppositions but although the Blues didn't enjoy that they accepted it was the luck of the draw and had to come to terms with it.

"Hopefully there'll be a good crowd."

Petone play Suburbs, Miramar Rangers face Tawa and Stop Out host North Wellington in other cup matches in the catchment area.

A resurgent Rovers play league leaders Western Suburbs away this Saturday.