Napier City Rovers goal-scorer Sam Lack (inset, being embraced by captain Jim Hoyle) is the club's latest centurion and scored twice in his side's 2-1 win over the Wellington Phoenix Reserves. NZ Herald composite photo
Cheers roared out for Sam Lack from the Bluewater Stadium faithful shortly before Napier City Rovers kicked off against the Wellington Phoenix Reserves on Sunday.
But the cheers became even louder more than an hour later as the 21-year-old banged in the first of two goals that secured his team a crucial three points in the Central League fifth-round clash.
Just moments before the match kicked off, Lack was presented with a trophy pitch-side celebrating his 100th first-team appearance; a milestone he had reached in his side’s stunning 3-0 win on the road over defending champions Wellington Olympic last month.
But then followed a first half against the Wellington Phoenix Reserves where some of the urgency, dominance and cohesion Napier City Rovers had displayed in that triumph over Wellington Olympic was missing.
While they had the best chances on goal – including a cracking shot from Cameron Emerson that rebounded off the crossbar – Napier City Rovers went into the break 1-0 down.
What followed at the halftime break were two direct messages from coach Bill Robertson and highly experienced English recruit Callum Cooke that helped inspire the side to take control of the game in the second half and ultimately win 2-1.
“We were just really, really low ... the buzz was not there,” Lack said of the first 45 minutes.
“At halftime Bill came in, told [us] to step it up, be how we should be playing – how we started the season ... to keep our heads up, keep going, know how good we are as footballers, keep the ball [and] play ... and our chance will come.”
Cooke – who has played almost 300 professional league games in England – also impressed on Sunday, both with his words and actions.
Like Robertson, the former age-group English international wasn’t afraid to share his feelings at halftime on the way to the eventual 2-1 win.
Lack said the thrust of Cooke’s impromptu speech in the dressing room was that he and his teammates had to “switch on”.
“He said he knows how good we are, but that first half was really poor,” he said.
“He said in the second, if we’re just to come out firing [things would work].”
And that is exactly what happened.
Lack scored a brace: the first goal four minutes after the restart, and the second from the penalty spot in the 68th minute. The penalty kick came after the impressive Benjamin Stanley was brought down.
“I’m proud of the boys for our efforts and for getting the result,” Lack said.
“The first half, we started a bit slow. I think Phoenix were on top of us. At halftime [there was a] massive team talk to switch on and [the] second half showed it.
“We came out firing, got two goals back and then just grinded to get the win.”
The result continued Napier City Rovers’ unbeaten start to the 2026 Central League, with a record of three wins and a draw.
Unlike the three teams ahead of them – Miramar Rangers, Western Suburbs and Wellington Olympic – they have played just four games rather than five so far this season, with the scheduled round-three clash against Island Bay postponed because of Cyclone Vaianu.
Miramar Rangers are on top of the table with 15 points, while Western Suburbs, Wellington Olympic and Napier City Rovers have 10 competition points.
The Island Bay game will be rescheduled for later in the season.
Sunday’s win not only maintained the Robertson-coached team’s unbeaten start to the season, but it also meant the side retain the O’Brien Shield, a coveted challenge shield where the holder puts it up for grabs when hosting other Central League sides.
Napier City Rovers secured it for the first time since 2018 in their earlier 3-0 win over Wellington Olympic.
Lack said he was “very proud of myself” for scoring the two goals that secured Sunday’s win.
He also said capping his 100th appearance for the club he first played for as a 16-year-old in the earlier match that secured Napier City Rovers the O’Brien Shield was a special moment.
“It’s the first time we’ve had it since I have been here,” he said.
“The last time we had it was 2018. I joined the club in 2021. So, in my 100th game to get the shield was a very good feeling.”
Lack is firmly a fan favourite at Napier City Rovers.
In 2022, he scored his club’s first goal in their return to New Zealand Football’s National League after a 20-year absence.
Last year he was the first team’s top scorer.
After Napier City Rovers failed to make last year’s National League, he had a short stint with the Auckland FC Reserves team in New Zealand Football’s top-tier domestic competition.
A year earlier he had a short trial with the A League club but was hampered by injury.
Following Sunday’s important win over the Wellington Phoenix Reserves, he made it clear he loved the club as much as its fans cared for him.
“It’s a family vibe, that’s why I love it here,” Lack said.
“And being a Hawke’s Bay boy, it means a lot to me.
“And the boys are a very good group to be around.”
Neil Reid is a Napier-based senior reporter who covers general news, features and sport. He joined the Herald in 2014, has 34 years of newsroom experience and has covered Napier City Rovers since 2022.
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