Football: Rovers keep unblemished record

Rovers striker Stephen Hoyle applies pressure on the Wairarapa United defence in Napier today. PHOTO/Warren Buckland

Defending champions Napier City Rovers have kept their unbeaten record this season intact after coming from behind to beat Wairarapa United in Napier today.

The Conroy Removals-sponsored Blues won 3-2 in an exciting clash in ideal conditions at the Bluewater Stadium, Park Island, in the third round of the Lotto Central League encounter.

In the first half both the sides, loaded with ASB Premiership players from summer, traded crisp passes in end-to-end passges of play although the hosts should have capitalised on their opportunities more in the half hour spell.

In the 30th minute minute, Hawke's Bay United defender Martin Ramos Canales broke the deadlock as Wairarapa United went up 1-0 following a cornerkick that led to a goalmouth melee for the Chilean striker to poke the ball into the net past Ruben Parker.

Eight minutes later striker Sam Mason-Smith extended the lead, 2-0, for the visitors after latching on to a routine tap-in goal at the far post from point-blank range following a freekick from Cory Chettleburgh.

The Danny Wilson-skippered Blues pulled one back from striker Angus Kilkolly to make it 2-1 almost on the stroke of halftime from a Rob Pearson cornerkick.

Whatever Rovers coach Bill Robertson and his assistant, Chris Greatholder, said at halftime must have been potent because Kilkolly made it all square, 2-2, two minutes after play resumed following the break.

Midfielder Josh Stevenson drilled a shot from the left flank but Bay United keeper Hill parried but Kilkolly followed up like all good strikers should to make it count.

The hosts went up 3-2 five minutes later when Hill again deflected a Tom Biss volley but as the ball rolled back up to the top of the 18m box midfielder Ryan Tinsley drilled it into the net.

The visitors raided the Blues' goalmouth late in the second half but the defence stood staunch although both sides had chances to score but didn't capitalise.

The Rovers travel to Wellington this Saturday to play Petone on Saturday.