Football: Rovers cautious over bugbear rivals

TWEAKING TIME: Assistant coach Chris Greatholder and coach Bill Robertson deliberate. PHOTO/FILE

Petone is a tick-in-the-box situation but coach Chris Greatholder is wary of the Wellingtonians, who have been a bogey side for his men.

"If we perform to the best of what we're capable of then we should pick up three points," says Greatholder ahead of the Conroy Removals Napier City Rovers' kick off at 3pm on the Petone Memorial Park's artificial astro-turf surface today.

The assistant coach, who is in charge while coach Bill Robertson captains Team Wellington in the O-League final against Auckland City AFC today, says in the past two Lotto Central League seasons the Rovers had just edged past Graham Little-coached Petone in the dying minutes.

The Danny Wilson-captained Blues, who are defending champions riding on the expectations of their record-smashing performance last winter, haven't got the luxury of giving more game time to his bench players.

Defender Fergus Neil and midfielder Saul Halpin are with Team Wellington for now.

Striker Stephen Hoyle has been ruled out with a niggly injury and joins Matt Bruin who has been nursing a hamstring. Defender Filnay Milne is on the probable list with an injury concern.

"Stevie's been carrying a knock from late pre-season so he'll probably not come through but Fin, who's had an issue with his hip, should be all right to come through," says Greatholder as former golden boot Stu Wilson will replace Hoyle, while first division player Daniel Robinson slides on to the bench.

"He [Robinson] came off the bench for a few minutes in the last game. He hasn't found his position yet but he's a good footballer who is in the midfield for his school."

Vinnie McKirdy, 16, joins fellow schoolboy Ross Willox who are midfielders among their peers.

Greatholder says Willox is on the verge of starting but a robust cluster of midfielders is keeping him out for now.

Kurtis Marey comes in as reserve goalkeeper for Kyle Baxter who isn't available. Versatile Harry Morton returns from his US college in a fortnight.

It's been tough preparing this winter with the O-League and injuries but Greatholder is confident they aren't too far from fielding a close-to-strength side for the undefeated Rovers, who are perched on the third rung of the league ladder below undefeated leaders Stop Out on nine points after three wins.

Wellington United and the Blues are tied on seven points but the former have a superior one-goal difference after three rounds.

"We have big ambitions but we don't need to peak," he says, believing there's more hunger in the squad than last winter as they chase the O'Brien Shield, Chatham Cup and Central League Trophy "to go one better".

PETONE: 1 Jake Piper (GK), 2 James Nash, 3 Bradley Ebert, 5 Matthew Benson, 6 Jordan Pickering, 7 Fernando Montado-Rocha, 8 Ryan Benson, 9 Zach Watson, 10 Fisum Aden, 11 Tavonga Mahowa, 12 Kelly Higgins, 13 Ben Feld, 14 Dylan Goddard, 15 Conor Coulson, 16 Alex Shepherd- Reynolds, 17 Jack Morrissey, 18 Jack Millar, 19 Morgan Blair, 20 Hami Paranihi-Nuku, 21 Bayley Chadderton, Shea Stapleton (RGK).

Coach: Graham Little.

NAPIER CITY ROVERS: 1 Ruben Parker (GK), 2 Daniel Ball, 3 Fane Morgan, 4 Rob Pearson, 5 Finlay Milne, 8 Ryan Tinsley, 9 Angus Kilkolly, 11 Tom Biss, 14 Josh Stevenson, 15 James Hoyle, 16 Danny Wilson (c), 18 Ross Wilcox, 20 Stu Wilson, Daniel Robinson, Vinnie McKirdy, Kurtis Marey (RGK).

Coach: Chris Greatholder.