Soccer: Ugly victory for Rovers

Napier City Rovers 1 Tawa 0

One of Napier City Rovers soccer coach Grant Hastings' favourite lines appropriately surfaced again yesterday.

"Winning ugly is better than not winning at all," Hastings remarked after his side's 1-0 Central League win against the bottom-of-the-table and winless Tawa outfit at Bluewater Stadium.

Considering the possession and territorial advantages Rovers enjoyed as well as the fact Tawa forward Jone Salauneune was sent off by Hawke's Bay referee Robert Scholes after a late charge on Rovers captain Bill Robertson in the 30th minute Rovers fans could easily have expected a 10-0 win from the hosts.

It was no surprise to hear Hastings giving his troops a few verbal bursts in the changing room afterwards. He was looking ahead to this Sunday's away match against top four side Wairarapa United.

Hastings refused to elaborate on the content of his bursts afterwards but did point out his troops created chances which should have been capitalised on.

"We didn't get our wide players involved enough. Our forward line functioned well but didn't get enough service," Hastings explained.

Right midfielder Harley Rodeka scored the only goal of the game two minutes before Salauneune was marched. Rodeka popped up on the left side of the post just outside of the box and produced a left foot volley which beat Tawa keeper Lance Ramaekers.

As was the case when Rovers beat Tawa 1-0 back in May, Ramaekers made several good saves including a useful shot on goal from Stu Wilson who started and completed 88 minutes in his first appearance for the hosts this season. Rovers keeper Shaun Peta can also be proud of the saves he made to keep Tawa scoreless.

Robertson again marshalled the defence well but received his fifth yellow card of the season, which means he will sit out the Wairarapa United encounter. Fellow centre back Bayley Chadderton had a solid workrate.

Striker Andy Bevin was his usual busy self in his final home game before returning to the United States to resume his commitments with West Virginia University. Hastings heaped plenty of kudos on Rodeka's performance.

Hastings said the return from suspension of midfielder Cole Peverley and return from injury of Regan Cameron will help compensate for the absence of Robertson against Wairarapa.

No doubt the Tawa lads travelled home feeling a little gutted after a second consecutive 1-0 loss to the Blues. Even the most one-eyed Rovers fan wouldn't have complained if Salauneune had been cautioned rather than marched.

Salauneune was always a threat in a team of players who battled hard for each other. Captain and centre back Steve Romijn and his brother Karl in the midfield along with keeper Ramaekers were Tawa's best.

With nine of last year's squad gone this season was always going to be a rebuilding year for Rovers. However this hasn't stopped Hastings from aiming for a top four finish to the season.

If the sixth placed Blues are to achieve this a win against Wairarapa is a must. Four rounds remain in the league.