Football: In a league of their own

Napier City Rovers celebrate becoming Central League champions yesterday. Photo / Duncan Brown

Rovers 4 Marist 1 Park Island, Napier

Prophecy isn't just about telling the future but also about making it.

TSB Bank Napier City Rovers are halfway there in their chivalrous winter of accomplishments, after emphatically claiming the Lotto Central League crown at home yesterday.

The Danny Wilson-captained Blues rode the razor-sharp edge of expectations from the Bluewater Stadium faithful to beat Palmerston North Marist 4-1, to etch their name on the silverware for the fourth time (1981, 1986, 2012 titles) in the history of the Wellington-based competition.

The hosts were under some pressure to deliver yesterday because it was their last game at home with three rounds to go.

"We set goals at the start of the season to win every trophy possible - league and cup - so we've won the league early but that doesn't take away the last few games, which are still massively important for us," Wilson said.

The 17-3 corner-kick stats reflected the Rovers' dominance as the last 20 minutes became a golden-boot benefit between Angus Kilkolly, Ryan Tinsley and luckless Saul Halpin but some fans were becoming fidgety when they were locked 1-1 at halftime.

"The thing is the lads put the pressure on themselves. We set high expectations and we want to live up to that on the pitch so you could see we were a bit nervous at the start," Wilson said.

However, the centreback felt they had shown enough character this winter to stay calm and assert themselves.

"This team is the best group of lads I have played with, both on and off the field," said Wilson, who also has played for Hawke's Bay United at ASB Premiership (national summer league) level.

The Blues still have numerous records - most goals, most points - to pursue in finishing the season, while keeping their cup hopes alive in the playoffs.

"We want to get to the final and win them all. We've got a team full of winners so ..."

The first goal yesterday came in the 31st minute from Kilkolly, who had left goalkeeper Gulkanvir Singh and centreback Scott Hales debating who should have put a name on the ball from the oblique shot.

However, that lapse stung the visitors into action as they rattled the crossbar shortly after kick-off, before striker Khair Jones deftly planted a 36th-minute penalty kick into the net after Rhys Galyer succumbed to gravity inside the 18m box, with Rovers goalkeeper Ruben Parker Hanks advancing. Referee Peter Linney pointed to the spot.

Ironically, the Palmy men hit the crossbar in the 42nd minute but no cigar.

Two minutes after the kick-off, Kilkolly missed from point-blank range at the far post from a Josh Stevenson cross but Englishman Stephen Hoyle didn't make that mistake from almost an identical spot (5oth) for a 2-1 lead, as the fans broke into singing, chanting and clapping.

A Hoyle worm burner made it 3-1 in the 57th minute, before midfielder Tinsley curled a goal over a wall from a freekick in the 75th minute to make it 4-1 after a Marist defender fouled Halpin outside the box.

Stephen Hoyle (centre) laps it up with Tom Biss (left), Fergus Neil and Angus Kilkolly.

Emotion fuels jetsetting Hoyle

Stephen Hoyle stepped off his flight at the Hawke's Bay airport at 7am yesterday but shrugged off any effects of jetlag to help the Napier City Rovers win the Central League title.

"I think I've just shown that jetlag isn't a thing. When you can have emotions that high you can play," said the beaming Englishman, who had left a fortnight ago for Barnsley to visit family.

He had checked in at Manchester Airport on Thursday only to discover his tickets to return were booked for August 30.

"I had to pay an extra £300 to go down to Heathrow just to make it back today so I'm ecstatic to be here, actually," said the striker whose younger brother/midfielder James also is in the squad.

The 22-year-old had bagged five goals in the 10-0 humiliation of Wellington Olympic before departing for the UK and yesterday he shook off lethargy to score two goals to pick up where he left off.

"I've worked all year to be part of this so you wouldn't want to miss today, would you?"
If his family weren't happy he wouldn't be playing the way he did yesterday.

Hoyle, who was part of the the 2012 league win, peeled off his blue strip to expose a white T-shirt that read: "For [grandmothers] Kathleen, June and TARN! [nickname for Barnsley]."

Kathleen had a stroke and feared she wouldn't see him again.