Football: Scratchy Rovers stumble in opening home game to Western Suburbs

Josh Stevenson (left) and Angus Kilkolly plot a goal from a freekick as Surburbs' Josh Rogerson (left) and Owen Parker-Price organise a reception committee in Napier today. Photo/Warren Buckland

Coach Bill Robertson and his stable of assistants have their work cut out this winter with the Napier City Rovers flagship team after losing their first Central League game at home today.

While vociferous fans vented their spleen on the players and referee, the display at Bluewater Stadium, Park Island, reaffirmed Robertson's pre-match views that it will take time for the Conroy Removals-sponsored Blues to find a degree of cohesiveness and sixth sense required to tilt results in their favour in the premier winter league this year.

It took only 30 seconds for the visitors to jolt the Blues out of any preconceived notions they may have harboured about home advantage on a typical balmy Bay autumn's day.

Lanky Ihaia Delaney planted the ball inside of his left upright past talented goalkeeper Joshua Hill after receiving a crisp wormburner from the same flank for a stunning 1-0 lead.

That set the tone of the match for the first 14 minutes, it was predominantly Western Suburbs raiding the Rovers goalmouth and the Blues scrambling on defence.

One of those penetrating runs saw the youthful red-and-whites clip the upright.

But, against the run of play, Angus Kilkolly scored the equaliser. The striker placed his shot on the right bottom corner, way beyond the reach of diving goalkeeper Reed Collingwood from about 20m out from the left flank of the box.

Kilkolly, who had questioned referee Martin Roil a few minutes earlier after challenging and winning the ball off goalkeeper Collingwood in the 31st minute, collected a yellow card four minutes later for dissent.

In the 36th minute, Matt Bruin came precariously close to putting the hosts into the lead but the crossbar had other ideas as the header sailed towards the goalmouth.

It took a tackle from Elijah Just on captain Fergus Neil in defence, almost 30m out from the Blues goalmouth to push frustrated fans into yelling advice.

"Why don't you talk to each other," one of them screamed as others chorused in approval.

The second half started much the same, with the Wellingtonians showing composure beyond their teenage years.

Rovers teenager Jorge Akers picked up a yellow card in the 53rd minute for clipping a player's heel from behind.

Suburbs coach Declan Edge made three substitutions in the 58th minute, pulling out Delaney, Jonty Bilderbeck and Callum McMowatt. He injected Ben Sippola, Xavier Green and Jaga Scott-Greenfield.

Blues co-assistant coach Stu James responded two minutes later, taking out Ross Wilox from the engine room and inserted Reiner Bauerfiend.

The backline of Neil, Danny Wilson, Bruin and James Hoyle were critical in disrupting any concerted efforts from the Suburbs predators in the stock exchange.

Kilkolly came close to scoring in the 65th minute from a direct freekick from top edge of the box but keeper Collingwood made a superb save, flicking the ball over the crossbar.

Four minutes later Bruin got tangled into what can best be described as a handbag affair after a crude tackle although a Western Suburbs player had kicked him after the altercation.

However, it was Noah Billingsley who collected a yellow card for dumb play as he stuck out his foot to block a freekick after committing a foul not long after.

It was Western Suburbs who broke the deadlock in the 73rd minute after a shot clipped Bruin's hand in the box. Pwen Parker-Price sent keeper Hill the wrong way for a 2-1 lead.

Coach James rightly pulled off Kilkolly in the 81st minute, as well as midfielder Akers, because the striker was flirting with a red card regardless of whether the ref's perceptions of fouls were justified or not.

Veteran Stuart Wilson went up front and Bradley Perks shifted into the midfield.

Veteran midfielder Josh Stevenson came close to equalising in the dying minutes but his header sailed over the crossbar on a day when his first touches and passes failed him.

But, in fairness, every player needed to take responsibility for patches of mediocrity.

Suburbs midfielder Dalton Wilkins picked up a yellow card for kicking the ball out of play with a throw-in in order to waste time but that was expected of a youthful side who could sense victory and thoroughly deserved it.