Football: Napier in fifth cup final after shootout

Napier City goalie Ruben Parker forces the ball away from Birkenhead's Reilly O'Meagher on the way to the Rovers' shootout win. Photo / Greg Bowker

Napier City Rovers will fight for a fifth ASB Chatham Cup football title against Eastern Suburbs after yesterday's dramatic 4-3 penalty shootout victory over Birkenhead United at a sodden Shepherds Park in Auckland.

After the teams finished locked at 1-1 following both regulation and extra time, Stephen Hoyle's final spot kick of the shootout - which Birkenhead goalkeeper Danny Robinson got a hand to but couldn't keep out - clinched victory for the visitors in front of a big Birkenhead crowd.

Earlier, Hoyle had given the Central League champions a 1-0 advantage in the 11th minute, slotting home under Robinson when through on goal.

Birkenhead substitute Ethan Galbraith scored within a few minutes of entering the game in the second half, a well-taken header from James Lawson's cross pulling the hosts level.

Chances came and went at both ends to secure a final berth before extra time but once the game entered the additional frame, defences tightened and scoring chances were few and far between.

Napier City player/coach Bill Robertson, who came into the game as a second-half substitute, was delighted with the application and professionalism his team showed as Birkenhead chased a spot in their first ASB Chatham Cup final.

"We're obviously delighted to get over the line," Robertson said.

"It's a goal we set ourselves right at the start of the season to try and win the Central League and the Chatham Cup, and we're 90 minutes away from doing that.

"I'm pleased with the work rate. It was a tough game and a physical game. Birkenhead are a big physical side and have put us under pressure for long periods but we've dealt with it.

"[We showed] a lot of composure there. We've spoken about that in big games this year. It couldn't be any bigger than a semifinal of the Chatham Cup and the lads have delivered again to the high standards we needed to get through."

Birkenhead coach Paul Hobson was philosophical.

"It was a typical semifinal and I've got no qualms about the result," he said. "It was an even match and it could have gone either way and Napier got it."

Napier City 1
Birkenhead Utd 1
(Napier City Rovers win 4-3 in penalty shootout)