Football: Rovers pay price for untidy second-half stint against Stop Out

Napier City Rovers coach Bill Robertson. Photo / File

A sloppy 20-minute, second-half spell was the difference in Napier City's Rovers' defeat at the hands of Stop Out.

"It allowed them to get back in the game so we're really disappointed we haven't won the game, really," lamented coach Bill Roberston after the table-topping hosts pipped the Conroy Removals-sponsored Blues 3-2 in the Lotto Central League affair at Hutt Valley on Saturday.

Robertson said at halftime his troops were in control of the game with a 1-0 lead.

"We were looking to be at least two or three up at halftime," he said of the chances they had created but not sealed.

Striker Angus Kilkolly scored both Rovers' goals. He opened the scoring and when Micky Malivuk and a Steve Gulley penalty had put Stop Out 2-1 up, Kilkolly netted the equaliser before Scott Henderson nailed the home side's winner.

Robertson said from where he was positioned, the penalty looked weak but the ref saw it otherwise, pinging defender Charlie Yexley.

Two Canadians, Oliver Coren and Jean-Michel Paulin, were in the Rovers' mix but Englishman Fahad Rwakarambwe was out injured.

Defender Blake Koolen was dropped to the reserves.

The Fergus Neil-captained Rovers have dropped to the second last rung of the table with just one victory, a draw and four losses - three on the trot.

Robertson reiterated the need for fans to manage their expectations.

"I'm not concerned. I don't think we're going to be in the relegation side," he said, emphasising their defeats, bar the 6-2 one to Wellington United here, were narrow.

Robertson captains Team Wellington who lost 3-0 to Auckland City FC in the first leg of the Oceania League match at Kiwitea St yesterday.