Father-son Chatham Cup magic remembered as crunch knockout match looms
Even fewer are teens in their first season as a regular starter in senior first-team football in the top domestic levels of the game.
It's something Napier City Rovers defender Kaeden Atkins achieved
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Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Chatham Cup heritage strong motivation for United
Christchurch United striker Walter Leoru takes a shot during their 4-1 win over Selwyn United on Friday. PHOTO: THOMAS BIRD The last time Christchurch United reached a Chatham Cup quarter-final, they went on to win the competition. Ryan Edwards. That was in 2023, when the team claimed their seventh title after beating Hamilton's Melville United on penalties in the final. Now, they're back in the last eight and will host Auckland United on Saturday afternoon. 'It's South Island v North Island, it's Christchurch v Auckland,' said head coach Ryan Edwards. 'We'd love to have all the local Christchurch football community come down and support us.' United's seven cup titles are a record, which they share with University-Mount Wellington. 'One thing Slava (Meyn, United president) is really big on is history really matters at football clubs,' Edwards said. 'Looking back at the different people who have come through the club, won the Chatham Cup and what they've gone on to achieve – that inspires the future.' United currently lead the Southern League after a 4-1 win over bottom-placed Selwyn United on Friday night. They sit one point ahead of second-placed Cashmere Technical, who have played an extra game. However, their hopes of winning every available trophy this season were dashed in last week's English Cup semi-final, where they lost 10-9 on penalties to Nomads after a 2-2 draw. Nomads will meet either Cashmere or Waimak United in the final in early September.
NZ Herald
15-07-2025
- NZ Herald
Napier City Rovers aim for top four as Island Bay fight relegation
'At the bottom of the table, it's really tight,' Napier City Rovers coach Bill Robertson said. Napier City Rovers players celebrate during their 6-1 win over Island Bay in Wellington earlier in the 2025 Central League. Photo / Neil Reid 'Any of those five teams in the bottom half could still get relegated. 'Obviously, Island Bay have moved quite aggressively and changed their coaches and have got a little bounce with their result against Waterside Karori. I'm sure they'll come to Bluewater Stadium with confidence. 'It won't be an easy game and they're all obviously fighting for their lives down there. 'It will be another difficult game, but we're confident of getting a result and if we perform well again.' Napier City Rovers earlier toppled Island Bay 6-1 on the road in Wellington in round five of the Central League in April. The side's win over Upper Hutt last Saturday was one of their best in front of goal all season. It came six days after Napier City Rovers' 2025 Chatham Cup campaign was halted by a gutting 3-2 loss to 2024 champions Wellington Olympic. Goalscorers against Upper Hutt included Sam Lack, slotting home his 11th goal of the season. Sam Lack was amongst the goals again for Napier City Rovers in their win over Upper Hutt City Football last weekend. Photo / Neil Reid Just as importantly as Napier City Rovers' attack, the side's defence also held firm, with goalkeeper Harry Townsend keeping a clean sheet. 'I was pleased with the performance, the result and it was great to score a few goals,' Robertson said. 'I said to the players beforehand that someone at some stage is going to get a battering really, in terms of goals scored against them ... we've been threatening to do that all season. 'We've been dominant in most games without ... scoring the goals, but on the weekend ... we were good. We were clinical, we finished our opportunities. 'Now we need to repeat that.' Wins are what are needed from Robertson's team as they chase their pre-season goal of qualifying for the National League for a fourth successive season. To qualify, they need a top-four finish. They are currently in fifth place, two points behind fourth-placed Western Suburbs. The run home includes clashes against the second-placed Miramar Rangers and the league leaders, Wellington Olympic. Both of those clashes will entail road trips to Wellington. The final stretch of the Central League campaign will also require some juggling from Robertson, selection-wise. Both midfielder Cameron Emerson and striker Eric Kostandini Ziu have received four yellow cards. A fifth will lead to a one-match suspension. Emerson has consistently been one of Napier City Rovers' best players throughout 2025. Cameron Emerson – who bought up his 100th first-team appearance for Napier City Rovers earlier this year – has been a consistent standout for his side all year. Photo / Neil Reid Ziu has impressed up front since coming into the squad in June after a stint playing in Australia. Three further players are set to miss some of the remaining matches because of overseas travel, including inspirational captain Jim Hoyle, who is heading to Europe for his honeymoon. Another factor to juggle is just who Robertson selects for the four foreign import spots he is allowed in match-day squads; he currently has five English players, meaning one must miss out each week. Some selections in the 2025 Central League run home will be a balancing act for Napier City Rovers head coach Bill Robertson. Photo / Neil Reid Finally, like all other clubs in the Northern, Central and Southern leagues, he has to ensure a minimum of 10% of playing time is given to under-20 players (aged under 20 on January 1 of that season) on the roster. 'Balancing the selection of the squad is tricky at the moment,' Robertson said. 'There are a few players that are going to be unavailable through life basically: personal trips away and family stuff. 'That's just the nature of balancing the squad throughout the season. 'Making sure we're our strongest each game to pick up wins is important and something that I'm considering each game.' Inside the Rovers video series: Episode 1: Match Fit Episode 2: Teen's Dream Episode 3: New Beginnings Episode 4: For Keeps Episode 5: Kiwi Steve Episode 6: Capital Punishment Episode 7: Bouncing Back Episode 8: The Centurion Episode 9: The Running Man Episode 10: Family Pride Episode 11: On Target Episode 12: Road Trip Blues Episode 13: A-League Bound Neil Reid is a Napier-based senior reporter who covers general news, features and sport. He joined the Herald in 2014 and has 33 years of newsroom experience. Sign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
NZ Herald
08-07-2025
- NZ Herald
Gutted Rovers look to bounce back from Chatham Cup pain to secure National League spot
Sam Lack says there's no uncertainty in terms of what faces him and his Napier City Rovers teammates to keep their National League dream alive. The team play Upper Hutt City Football in Central League action in Wellington on Saturday, six days after their heartbreaking exit from the Chatham Cup.
