Football: Round will divide the men from the boys

Maycenvale's Joel Cox and Taradale's Perry Cotton vie for possession at Taradale Park on Saturday. PHOTO/GLENN TAYLOR

Okay, a time comes when competitions start having a stale feel about them.

The men's League Cup football in Hawke's Bay is beginning to exude that trite aura about it so it comes as a relief that the next round will separate the men from boys.

This Saturday Your Solutions Taradale will play Promotem Napier City Rovers in pool B to decide who will progress to the playoffs in a competition within the ComputerCare Pacific Premiership although a draw will be enough for the former.

The Chris McIvor-coached Taradale pipped Cru Bar Maycenvale United 1-0 at home after Dean Johnston scored the penalty spot in the 31st minute.

"It was a good, tough game ... so we were happy to come away with three points," McIvor said.

Premiership champions Sunshine Brewery Team Gisborne will face fellow unbeaten campaigners Hotshots Napier Marist to see who qualifies in pool A, after thumping Western Rangers 6-1 in Hastings.

However, the visitors didn't have it all their way at St Leonard's Park, leading 1-0 at halftime from a Nicky Land goal in the 21st minute.

Land claimed a hattrick with goals in the 47th and 76th minutes while Michael Suske (57th and 73rd) and Kieran Ryan (49th) also got on the ref's scorecard.

Luke Donovan pulled one back for the hosts in the 66th minute.

Rangers coach Ritchie Howard lamented missed opportunities at crucial times.

"Tom Edge said after, the score line didn't reflect the game," Howard said of his Gisborne counterpart.

"My lads played without pressure," he said, adding it was a stepping stone for Rangers.

He lauded the club's division one team who also observed a minute's silence for his late father-in-law.

At Park Island, Hotshots Napier Marist beat AppMed House Port Hill United 2-1 after leading 1-0 at halftime.

The visitors conceded an own goal in the 15th minute when young rightback Gavin Andrews' wild-foot clearance, following a cross, shanked into the net.

"He had a howler but he improved as the game went on," Port Hill coach Tim Claudatos said.

It was a punishing first half as Port Hill defended eight corners.

"They had more hunger than us," said Claudatos after Magnus Hansson equalised in the 71st minute.

Keegan Bright's 81st-minute goal sealed it for the hosts who hadn't beaten Port Hill this winter before Saturday, following a draw in the league and a loss.

Goalkeeper Stu McVeigh made a couple of stellar saves to keep Port Hill in the game.

The Rovers beat Hastings Old Boys 5-0 at the school grounds with Shae Bauerfeind scoring four and Phil Doolan the other.

"It wasn't the greatest game on the worst possible pitch we've played on this season," Rovers coach Mark Henderson said.

"I would like to see them next year because they don't give up and try to play football," Henderson said.

This Saturday the Rovers play Francis Douglas Memorial College in the Federation Cup semifinal at Skoglund Park, Palmerston North.