Soccer: Blues brace for 'derby'

Andy Bevin says the Rovers and Wairarapa take the game to another level when they play each other. Photo / File

If you ask Andy Bevin what he thinks of Wairarapa United, he will tell you they are more than just an in-your-face opposition.

"Wairarapa are kind of like a derby team," says the 22-year-old Bluewater Napier City Rovers striker, only days after returning home from his West Virginia University studies.

"They are much closer to Hawke's Bay than the Wellington teams," Bevin says before the Bill Robertson-coached Rovers host the men in green at Bluewater Stadium, Napier, in a 2pm kick-off on Sunday.

Both sides are coming off victories in the Chatham Cup (national knockout) matches last weekend.

It should be another defining match in the Lotto Central League campaign for the third-placed Blues and Wairarapa, who are a rung below them on one fewer point. The visitors have Bay-born midfielder Tom Biss, who is recovering from injury, and ex-Bay United striker Hamish Watson.

"Both teams always get up for it so we know this weekend's the same," says Bevin who is on cue to graduate from his American varsity this time next year in information technology.

"Whoever wins this weekend will put a little daylight between us."

Wellington Olympic are undefeated on the top of the table on 13 points after five matches with a draw, one point ahead of Miramar Rangers but the latter have played one fewer game and have not lost any games yet.

The Rovers have lost to both the pace-setters and face the Greeks again in the second round of the Chatham Cup on Queen's Birthday Monday, on June 2 at Park Island.

Says Robertson: "We should have got a result against Olympic a couple of weeks ago, so this time it will be redemption."

If the Rovers want to achieve anything this winter, then beating top-four teams is vital.

Robertson played for about 20 minutes in the 2-1 win over Taradale last Saturday in the cup match but emphasises he only filled in because they were short of subs.

"I'm still re-habbing, so I'm not sure if I'll play until after training tonight."

The centreback is pivotal in marshalling the Blues' defence.

Says Bevin: "It will be good to have Robo back. He's been training." The former Napier Boys' High School pupil is enjoying training .

"I'll try to put us in a good position before I head back to States in early August."

Bevin has noticed the Danny Wilson-skippered Rovers are "a little stronger all over the pitch with a couple of additions" to the squad this season and have a mixture of youth and experience. While his Mountaineers team in the US had finished mid-table, Bevin was rapt with his season.

His nine goals were the varsity's best and also got him the league's golden boot title.

More importantly, the Mountaineers let him play striker as opposed to a defensive midfielder the previous season.

Returning to the Bay next year will depend on whether Bevin makes the Major League Soccer draft in January.

"The New York Red Bulls will be good because it's a cool city and Thierry Henry plays for them," says the avid Arsenal fan. He is mindful the foreign player cap can make it difficult.

"But they have seen me play for four years so they should know who they will be getting into bed with."