Football: Napier City Rovers simply too good for Miramar Rangers, power houses of yesteryear

Napier City Rovers coach Bill Robertson. Photo/file

Napier City Rovers are two on the trot after they beat Miramar Rangers in Wellington yesterday.

The Thirsty Whale-sponsored Blues thumped the hosts 4-1 to confirm that the former soccer powerhouses are going through a phase of rebuilding in round two of the Ultra Football Central League at David Farrington Park.

The visitors led 2-1 at halftime with player/coach Bill Robertson not happy about conceding a "sloppy goal" in what was Miramar's "first chance" at goal.

Martin Bueno struck in just the third minute after centreback Robertson headed the ball from the front upright to the back one, where the Uruguayan striker tapped the ball into the net.

Centre midfielder Sho Goto made it 2-0 in the 21st minute on debut before the hosts pulled one back through striker Forbes Nyatsanza, who back-heeled the ball for a scrambling goal after a feed from the right winger.

Jamie Wilkinson made it 3-1 from set-piece play after Robertson challenged the Miramar keeper for the scorer to put it into an empty net.

Seventeen-year-old Zac Madson claimed his maiden goal in the league after two appearances off the bench.

Robertson said Miramar had a youthful look about them but some talented footballers among the lineup.

"They perhaps lacked a bit of experience but they were certainly a good side who put us under a little bit of pressure at times."

He said the Blues applied themselves in their first away game this season: "We defended well except for that one moment in the first half, with Ruben [Parker Hanks] not having much to do except for a save in the second half."

The Rovers were dangerous at the coalface and will return to the capital to play Wellington Olympic, who pipped Waterside Karori 3-2, this Saturday.

Building King Havelock North Wanderers lost 6-0 to Wellington United on Saturday. Stop Out beat Lower Hutt 2-1 while Wairarapa United drew 1-1 with Western Suburbs.