Football: Western Suburbs equalise

HELLO: Napier City Rovers Josh Stevenson (blue) pays homage to the worms at Bluewater Stadium after Western Suburbs defender Matt Walker fouls him today in their Central League match in Napier.

Napier City Rovers shared the points with Western Suburbs after the sides drew 1-1 in their season-opening Central League football match in Napier today.

The Conroy Removals-sponsored Blues broke the deadlock through English midfielder Ryan Tinsley in the 63rd minute of the football encounter at the Bluewater Stadium in Park Island.

Tinsley rose to nod the ball into the net past Suburbs goalkeeper James McPeake in a goalmouth scramble after the visitors' defenders failed to clear a cornerkick with any conviction.

Suburbs player Noah Bingsley equalised 1-1 in the 85th minute after fellow striker Matt Walker, working fearlessly all game, scooted past defenders on the left flank to cut the ball back into the 18m box.
The goal came against the run of play at a time in the latter stages of the second half when the home side were forgaing the opposition goalmouth.

Both sides looked solid in the first half as they traded attacking and defending patches.

The intensity of the game showed on the visitors from Wellington against the defending champions as they were run out drinks at the halftime whistle on a balmy 28-degree of the Lotto-sponsored winter league.

Both sides created opportunities and their goalkeepers, Ruben Park-Hanks (Rovers), and McPeake made some gallant saves.

Parker-Hanks, who recently had surgery of the nose, wore a face mask and got fitness clearance from the Rovers to play five minutes before kick off at 2pm.

When the second half resumed, the Bill Robertson and Chris Greatholder-coached Rovers showed a lot more intent than the Wellingtonians despite a few handbag situations which referee Anotny Riley kept on a tab.

In the 70th minute, Blues striker Stephen Hoyle came agonisingly close to heading the ball in to extend the lead following a freekick from new signing Roy Pearson but McPeake got his fingers to it to flick the ball outside the far post.

Josh Stevenson, Tom Biss and Angus Kilkolly had attempts at scoring goals for the Blues but came away empty handed.