Football: Napier City Rovers one game away from securing another Central League crown

Sho Goto, in a previous match against Western Suburbs at Park Island, Napier, scored a goal against Lower Hutt City today. Photo/file

Wellington may well have traded the weather with Hawke's Bay but the Napier City Rovers team made sure they weren't getting carried away in any such rituals today.

The table-topping Thirsty Whale-sponsored Blues thumped Lower Hutt City 3-0 at Petone Memorial Turf in the penultimate round of the Ultra Football Central League match this afternoon.

The visitors led 1-0 at halftime from a Martin Bueno header in the 32nd minute from a freekick.

"They put a bit of pressure on in the first half an hour or so we had to defend quite resolutely to stop the attacks," said Rovers player/coach Bill Robertson tonight, before hopping in their minivan for the ride back to Napier.

"The weather conditions were fine here with no wind and no rain on a pitch that was a little bit slow and difficult so it kind of makes it hard to retain possession but we have no complaints," said Robertson of the James Hoyle-captained Blues.

It wasn't until the 67th minute when Rovers English import wing back Liam Schofield curled a ball around the wall from a freekick to extend the lead to 2-0.

Midfielder Sho Goto put Lower Hutt City out of their misery when he made good a typical cross from Canadian import winger Wesley Cain from the right flank. The Japan import clipped the ball past Lower Hutt goalkeeper Keegan Smith with a deft left-foot volley for the 3-0 result.

Robertson felt his men were a lot more clinical in the second spell at both ends of the artificial turf.

"It was another pleasing performance and a huge win away for us to maintain our three points [lead on the table]," he said, adding it was never easy on the road.

Just like Uruguayan striker Bueno, comfortably setting the pace in the race for the golden boot, it'll take an upset of gargantuan proportions from Wairarapa United at the Bluewater Stadium, Park Island, in the final round of games on Saturday, August 18, to stop the Blues machine from etching their name on the silverware.

"It'll be a fantastic game at home on what has already been a great season. We've got enough points now which have more than enough to win a title in past seasons but, at the moment, we need more to crunch it so we look forward to that," said Robertson, a centreback.

The league has deferred the final round of games by a weekend to ensure all the campaigners finish at the same time, as three catch-up games have been scheduled next weekend.

"It is a bit stop-start but we'll assess what's best now for a group of players on whether we should have a training day or organise a game against someone or give them a rest," said Robertson, pencilling in a date with the physiotherapist and fitness trainer.

Advanced Electrical Western Suburbs, the defending champions under the tutelage of coach Declan Edge, are on a winning streak as well and boast a superior goal difference so all the Rovers need to do is not stumble on the final hurdle although Suburbs, who have a bye this weekend, play Wellington United at Newtown Park, Wellington, on Saturday next week in one of the catch-up games.

In the only other game today, Miramar Rangers pipped Stop Out Sports Club 5-4.

Building King Havelock North Wanderers kick off against Wellington Olympic at Guthrie Park, Hastings, at 1pm tomorrow in a must-win game to stave off relegation from the premier winter league after their debut entry after they responded to an SOS from the organisers to enter after Team Taranaki withdrew due to dearth of homegrown players.