It was a case of pre-match dreams coming true for Josh Stevenson in yesterday's Central League local derby in Napier.
"Scoring a goal and getting the victory ... I couldn't have asked for more. I'm stoked," the Bluewater Napier City Rovers right winger said after his 100th Central League outing.
And Stevenson, 23, who scored the hosts' second goal in the 45th minute after clever buildup work from striker Jarrod Smith, did manage to get more.
A couple of minutes later Stevenson produced a clever assist for midfielder Reiner Bauerfiend to score and give the Blues a 3-0 halftime lead.
The Hastings policeman, who has been in the Blues Central League squad since 2005, was clever in attack, seldom took a wrong option and was tireless in defence.
"I was feeling a bit crook towards the end of the game ... it must be from that flu which is doing the rounds," Stevenson explained.
While the Hastings Boys' High School product was happy with how the Blues retained their top two berth on the table, Stevenson pointed out the Grant Hastings-coached outfit "was still a long way from where we could be in terms of form."
"Working on shape and passing will be priorities as we look ahead to next week's away game against Miramar Rangers," he added.
That statement is a clear indication of the standards the Blues have set as they attempt to build on last season's Chatham Cup final appearance.
However, their loyal fans weren't complaining about their performance yesterday which matched the perfect conditions.
Midfielder Jose Cantillo opened the scoring in the 22nd minute after a clever pass from workaholic forward Stephen Hoyle, who continued his man-of-the-match form from the previous home game against Tawa.
Considering their domination of the first quarter and the fact they had the same number of shots on goal in the first half as their hosts, Maycenvale United were unlucky not to score in the first half.
Vale coach Dion Adams explained his troops switched off for a period after a lengthy injury stoppage when Blues keeper Shaun Peta picked up an ankle problem.
"At the same time we didn't take our scoring opportunities," Adams said.
It wasn't only Adams' players who got a little frustrated at times though.
Manager Dennis Frater was warned by Palmerston North referee Antony Riley he would have to leave the game if he did not curb his comments.
There were occasions when the visitors had every right to feel hard done by Riley though, particularly in the first minute of the second half when defender Sam Stove was ordered off for a second yellow card.
The tackle he made was a similar one to a number the hosts had already made for which no yellow card was issued.
"Yes there were a few instances of similar tackles and different outcomes," Adams said.
"Defence is a big problem for us like it is throughout the country. There aren't too many good defenders around but the Rovers are fortunate to have a good one in their captain Bill Robertson," Adams said.
Poor defence from the visitors saw the Blues extend their lead to 4-0 in the 50th minute when Smith scored directly from a free kick. Despite playing with 10 men for 44 minutes of the second half, Maycenvale still had a commendable never-say-die approach and were rewarded with a goal to experienced midfielder Rafeal De Gregorio in the 58th minute.
Robertson ended the scoring in the 77th minute.
All of the Rovers - including promising substitutes, goalkeeper Jonty Underhill, Rudi Bauerfiend (brother of Reiner) and Luke Chapman - deserve praise for the spectacle they produced as do the Vale players for refusing to throw the towel in.
Defender Arnold Keni provided some nice touches for the visitors and Hawke's Bay United forward Leon Birnie was full of endeavour despite being heavily marked. Things won't get any easier for Maycenvale as they take on Chatham Cup holders Wairarapa United this weekend.