Football: Napier City Rovers need to find consistency after Greeks' spirited fight

Olympic coach Shaun Easthope says golden boot front runner Martin Bueno (above) employed a 'clever bit of play'. Photo / Paul Taylor

Riding the wave of victory on three points is what counts but acknowledging it wasn't the polished article also defines a team's constitution.

"We didn't really play too well but everybody knows we got the result in the end and we got three points," said goal-scoring midfielder Karan Mandair after Thirsty Whale Napier City Rovers hung on to beat Wellington Olympic 2-1 in Park Island, Napier, yesterday.

The Blues went into halftime 1-0 up in round 12 of the Ultra Football Central League after a penalty kick in the 28th minute but Olympic coach Shaun Easthope said the Uruguayan striker and golden boot front runner had employed "a clever bit of play".

The Greeks went down 2-0 from a Mandair pearler in the 48th minute before Gianni Bouzoukis pulled it back to 2-1 in the 59th minute from a header.

The visitors never gave up raiding the Blues' goalmouth but credit must go to the hosts' defence, despite a few wobbly moments.

Mandair said centreback/coach Bill Robertson had urged his troops to push up the park and adhere to the game plan.

"We needed to stop them playing the ball and run higher," he said, emphasising the need for consistency.

The 18-year-old wasn't too happy with his performance, enjoying the goal but acknowledging he was granted time and space to find the net.

Building King Havelock North Wanderers slumped to a 7-0 loss away to Miramar Rangers on Saturday.

Assistant coach Bruce Barclay said the villagers were up against a formidable Team Wellington strike force.

Rovers striker Martin Bueno appeals for a penalty against Wellington Olympic but it fell on deaf ears in this occasion. Photo/Paul Taylor