Football: Napier City Rovers again fail to collect full points on offer

Rovers player/coach Bill Robertson reiterates the need for fans to manage their expectations this winter. Photo / File

Napier City Rovers had done the hard work in the first half to put the game to bed but they came up shy against Miramar Rangers.

"We were disappointed. Obviously when you're 2-nil up at halftime and then they put their first goal in, in the 71st minute, you'd like to think we can pull off the game there," Conroy Removals-sponsored Blues coach Bill Robertson said after the Fergus Neil-captained Blues drew 2-2 away in the Lotto Central League clash at Endeavour Park on Saturday.

On reflection, though, Robertson put it down to a "decent point" on the road against a good Miramar side hosting the game on Western Suburbs' home ground as their turf, Farrington Park, was booked in readiness for the second leg of the Oceania League match between his Team Wellington and Auckland City FC yesterday.

"They created some good chances and we had plenty, too, so the game could have gone either way, actually."

At halftime, Robertson stressed to his troops the need to maintain the intensity of their work rate as well as quality in creating more scoring opportunities while stifling the hosts.

"I think for long periods we did but then we started to tire a little bit towards the end so they [Rangers] started to get on top of us to create more chances."

He reiterated the need for Blues faithful to manage their expectations a bit more this winter as victories become harder to eke out.

"The league is very competitive and there are no easy games."

What disappointed him more was Rovers losing points in three games on the trot from winning positions although there was no lack of desire from the players.

Veteran Chris McIvor scored in the 19th minute, nodding in a cornerkick before golden-boot prospect Angus Kilkolly extended the lead, 2-0, from a 24th-minute penalty kick when Ross Willox was clipped on the ankle in the box.

It wasn't until the 71st minute that Lewis Jackson pulled one back, 2-1, from outside the box before ex-English Blues import Saul Halpin levelled terms, 2-2, in the 81st minute.

The Rovers host Havelock North Wanderers in a round one derby of Chatham Cup at 2pm this Sunday.