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NZ Herald
16 hours ago
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Game by game: Napier City Rovers' National League hopes rest on four key matches
Robertson said his message over the next month was to 'control what we can control', which meant the next game. 'It's very much a next game approach. So, let's win the next game of football and then at 5'o'clock on Sunday we'll see where we are in the league. 'Then we'll do the same the following week. 'We are very much process-driven around just a game at a time. We performed well the last couple of games and Sunday is another opportunity to pick up three points.' Napier City Rovers coach Bill Robertson says his team have to concentrate on the now as they look to keep the dream alive of qualifying for the National League for the fourth successive season. Photo / Neil Reid Napier City Rovers go into Sunday's key match after having a week off having not qualified for the quarter-finals of the Chatham Cup. Prior to the weekend away from the pitch, they had posted back-to-back wins over Upper Hutt City Football (5-0) and Island Bay (4-1). Robertson said he had 'mixed' feelings about having a full week off. 'Off the back of a good win, it would have been nice to have another game to get straight into. 'I think the players would have preferred to have kept playing. 'That being said, it was a good opportunity to have a mental refresh and give a few of the boys with niggles the weekend off. They've come back into training this week with a real focus.' That training group has been minus captain Jim Hoyle and striker Jordan Annear. Hoyle, who has again been consistently one of his side's best in 2025, will miss the next four matches while he is honeymooning in Europe. English striker Jordan Annear signed off his year-long stint at Napier City Rovers with a goal against Island Bay earlier two weeks ago. Photo / Neil Reid Annear ended his 12-month stint with Napier City Rovers in the 4-1 win over Island Bay, with the popular Englishman scoring in his final match before returning to the UK to live. Robertson said while their presence would be missed, the benefit of having a 'competitive squad' meant those who would take their places would do the job. 'It's been difficult for me to select teams every week, which is a good problem to have. 'I'm confident that those players that are coming in will perform well. They've had opportunities at certain times of the season and performed well. and throughout the year they've trained at a good level too.' Mid-season Napier City Rovers recruits Jake Williams (left) Eric Kostandini Ziu (second from left) have looked at home since joining the club. Photo / Neil Reid Two recent recruits will also be keen to continue their impressive form since being signed by Napier City Rovers in June. Italian-born Kiwi striker Eric Kostandini Ziu has been a regular goal scorer since arriving after a stint playing in Australia. Midfielder Jake Williams – a former New Zealand Under-17 international rep – joined the club after four years studying and playing in America. 'They've settled in well, added competition for places and they've got some good attributes,' Robertson said. Napier City Rovers players Sam Lack, centre, and Jake Williams prepare pre-match on Bluewater Stadium's grass. Photo / Neil Reid 'Eric has come in and scored a few goals. 'Jake has added competition for places in the midfield and I thought he had a really good performance against Island Bay. 'They're definitely two players that have come into the squad and added a lot of value.' 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.
Otago Daily Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- 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
08-07-2025
- Sport
- 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.
Otago Daily Times
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
One dream attained by University, another beckons
THEY dared to dream — and dream they did. University proved what can happen when you have a little bit of belief in yourself after making the quarterfinals of the Kate Sheppard Cup for the first time. After a memorable 1-0 victory over the Dunedin City Royals last month, University make the trip to Christchurch to meet Cashmere Technical at English Park on Sunday afternoon. "It's an absolute dream, to be honest," coach Hamish Philip said about making the quarterfinals. "All the hard work that we've been putting in this season and all the foundation work we put in prior coming to fruition, it's immense." Philip was proud to see the way his side had come together. "For us, it's actually the belief in what we're trying to do. "I know that's such a cheesy thing to say, but it's that trust the system of what each player brings ... it's shown on the field, to be honest." Cashmere Technical, who won the South Island league last season, are always tough — but University beat them 2-1 in the league in March. "We've beaten them earlier in the season so I said to them, 'why not again?'." Making the playoffs has not come without its challenges. Only half of the team remained in Dunedin earlier this week due to students heading home for the university break and several American players returning home after the semester. The club had been running a Givealittle page to raise funds to help them get to Christchurch. Some players will be getting some "big opportunities" this weekend, but Philip said they would never back down from the challenge. "We're thankful some of our players are from Christchurch, so we've got those. "Some players are actually flying back for the game because they understand the importance of it, so they've made themselves available and that's thanks to the community helping out. "As a core group, I believe the team is still there. "I will make zero excuses. We are prepared for it. We are a university club and it's a matter of how we deal with it." In the other quarterfinals, Waterside Karori play Phoenix Reserves, Auckland United face West Coast Rangers and Franklin United are home to Eastern Suburbs. In round four of the Chatham Cup tomorrow, Wanaka are home to Christchurch United, and the Royals host Nelson Suburbs.
NZ Herald
17-06-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Napier City Rovers hot shot: No Lack of goals as Super Sam hunts pro football dream
Sam Lack's name has been a regular sight on the scoresheet for Napier City Rovers this year. Halfway through the Central League, Lack has slotted home seven goals; six in the Central League and then a crucial goal in his side's recent second-round Chatham Cup win over the Wellington Phoenix
