Some of Napier City Rovers' top ex-players continue to give back well after their playing days ended. Video / Neil Reid
The start of the 2024 Central League couldn’t have been much better for Napier City Rovers. Neil Reid reports.
Napier City Rovers have wasted little time laying down a marker to opponents in football’s 2024 Central League.
Six games into the season, the Bill Robertson-coached team goesinto Sunday’s clash against Petone FC at Bluewater Stadium on a five-match winning streak.
They’re also one of three teams – along with defending champions Wellington Olympic and Western Suburbs - locked at the top of the points table with 15 points.
Wellington Olympic – who hold the top spot due to goal differential – and Napier City Rovers both have a five-win, one-loss record. Western Suburbs has played an extra match for a five-win, two-loss record.
While the Central League was only a third of its way through, Robertson said he was proud of his players for starting the season so positively, attitude and results-wise.
Given how tight the race for National League spots is looking this year, the coach said those traits would be needed long-term.
“Last year we dropped some points early on and we had to it some really good form in the middle part of the season [to qualify for the National League],” Robertson said.
“Now we’ve won five games on the bounce. We’re in good form already, but as you can see from the points table it’s really competitive at the top.
Napier City Rovers coach Bill Robertson says he is proud of the attitude his players are showing on and off the pitch. Photo / Neil Reid
“It looks like it’s going to be a really competitive season and we’re going to need to keep winning games and give ourselves the best chance of A, looking at a title, or B, qualifying for the national stage.”
Four Central League teams will feature in the 10-team National League later this season.
The Wellington Phoenix Reserves – currently in seventh spot with two wins – are guaranteed a place due to their participation agreement regardless of where they finish.
The remaining places will go to the other three top-finishing sides.
Napier City Rovers forward Oscar Faulds (left), is the Central League’s top-scorer so far with 11 goals. Photo / Neil Reid
“We probably only had four shots in the first half. So, to be clinical and score three was a great start to the game,” Robertson said.
“And ultimately, it helped us get the three points.
Napier City Rovers’ teenaged midfielder Sam Lack has bought up his 50th first-team league appearance during 2024. Photo / Neil Reid
“Being more clinical and ruthless in front of goal is going to be more important as we get into the latter stages of the season and hopefully the National League against stronger opposition.”
Despite being 3-0 up so early in the game, Robertson said given the nature of the first 45 minutes at times it didn’t feel that the lead would be enough to win the match.
Miramar – who built a strong squad in the off-season – had periods of domination as the half went and hit back with their duo of quick goals.
Napier City Rovers were then able to restrict Miramar to not many goal-scoring chances after Robertson adjusted tactics for the second half.
Adam Hewson has impressed with his direct running with the ball, and his scoring ability, for Napier City Rovers. Photo / Neil Reid
“We were able to see the game out and secure an important win against a side that’s going to be right up there at the end of the season,” he said.
“It was a good game of football, two good teams going head-to-head, and it was great to come away with the three points.
“Sometimes in football to win games, you’ve got to be resilient, and you’ve got to dig in and you’ve got to show the other side of the game. Our players did that well.
“I was proud of the players, their work rate, their attitude, their character and their desperation out of possession.”
The team’s strong start to the 2024 Central League has intensified what was already strong competition for spots in match-day squads.
He understood those yet to cement a spot in the starting 11 would be “disappointed”, but stressed every squad member was “very important for the group”.
The competition for places saw an increase in intensity at training sessions, something which helped whatever side was selected when the pressure came on during matches
The Napier City Rovers squad are proving to be a tight-knit unit in the opening third of the 2024 Central League. Photo / Neil Reid
“So far this year we’ve had suspensions and we’ve had injuries. That will continue to happen, that’s the nature of football,” Robertson said.
“And people will lose form. And if someone else is ready to step in, and perform, they’ll get their chance.”
Neil Reid is a Napier-based senior reporter who covers general news, features and sport. He joined the Herald in 2014 and has 30 years of newsroom experience.
