Napier City Rovers recorded an emphatic win in their opening match of the 2024 Chatham Cup. Video / Neil Reid
Napier City Rovers romped to a 10-0 Chatham Cup round-two victory last weekend. Neil Reid reports six days on they face New Zealand’s top club Wellington Olympic in Central League action.
The Paul Ifill-coached team leads the Central League – a competition they won last year, along with the National League – by two competition points as the second round kicks off.
Napier City Rovers teammates Max Chretien (left) and Jonny McNamara embrace after McNamara slotted home his fourth goal in their 10-0 second-round Chatham Cup win over Palmerston North Marist. Photo / Neil Reid
“I’m looking forward to getting out there and trying to get on top. We’re going down to win the game.”
Wellington Olympic triumphed 3-0 when the two teams clashed in the opening round of the 2024 Central League at Bluewater Stadium on March 31.
Napier City Rovers were unable to translate some of the dominance they showed for decent periods of the match to points on the scoreboard.
Wellington Olympic led 1-0 with just six minutes remaining, then went on to triple their lead as Napier City Rovers were reduced to nine men after brothers Kieran and Ethan Richards were red-carded.
Referee Matt Hastings - who impressed with the whistle - lays down the law after Napier City Rovers midfielder Cameron Emerson was cut down in his side's 10-0 second-round Chatham Cup win over Palmerston North Marist. Photo / Neil Reid
Hoyle said the result highlighted how close the line between victory and defeat could be.
“When you play a team like Olympic, with their quality, it’s all about the fine margins,” he said. “You have to take your moments and you have to stop them getting them.
“So while the game was 50-50, they had three moments and took them.
“It’s one thing to get within a close distance of them. It’s another thing to get that extra 1 and 2 per cent it takes to beat the top side.”
Benjamin Stanley – who impressed in the Napier City Rovers starting 11 – looks on late in the Chatham Cup match against Palmerston North Marist. Photo / Neil Reid
Napier City Rovers will take on Wellington Olympic six days after their 10-0 blitz over Palmerston North Marist in Chatham Cup action.
From the get-go, the Bill Robertson-coached team were both clinical and adopted a level of intensity that the table leaders in Central Football’s Federation League – a tier down from Central League – struggled to handle.
They held a 9-0 lead at halftime, via hat-tricks from Jonny McNamara and Sam Lack, a double from Adam Hewson and a sweetly taken curling strike from Benjamin Stanley, just reward for what was an impressive showing from him.
“I thought we came flying out of the blocks,” Hoyle said.
Jonny McNamara slots home a penalty for Napier City Rovers against Palmerston North Marist. Photo / Neil Reid
“The way we came out and dominated, I was really impressed with that.
“I think everything Jonny touched turned to gold. He was very, very good. He finished off his chances and created some as well.”
McNamara added a fourth in the second half to secure the double-figure victory.
Palmerston North Marist goalkeeper Nick Hayward looks on as the scoreline continues to mount in his side's 10-0 Chatham Cup loss to Napier City Rovers. Photo / Neil Reid
The scoreline would have been higher if not for some desperate saves by Palmerston North Marist goalkeeper Nick Hayward.
At the other end of the pitch, Napier City Rovers goalkeeper William Tonning was rarely tested; but when he was, he pulled off a couple of great saves that ensured he kept a clean sheet.
In the draw for round-three matches - which was carried out on Tuesday afternoon – Napier City Rovers have been drawn to host North Wellington on June 16.
“I feel like there’s nobody more desperate here to win a Champion Cup than me. I’ve lost two finals. I’ve lost multiple semifinals.
“I’m desperate to add number six for this club and for me before I finish playing, which is obviously closer than it is far away. I’m hopeful that we can do that this year.”
Deflated Napier City Rovers player after the earlier 3-0 loss to Wellington Olympic this season, a result they are determined to reverse on Saturday. Photo / Neil Reid
His career then took him to Canada, as well as stints at Canterbury United, WaiBOP United and between 2019-22 at Auckland’s Eastern Suburbs. The return to Napier sees him playing and being one of Robertson’s assistants.
The 10-0 win over Palmerston North Marist saw Hoyle switch from being a forward – where he had played earlier in the season – to slotting in as a centre back.
“I will do whatever is needed for the team, but I enjoyed my football [against Palmerston North Marist],” he said.
Neil Reid is a Napier-based senior reporter who covers general news, features and sport. He joined the Herald in 2014 and has 30 years of newsroom experience.
