Central League Round 17

Napier produced the performance of the round, and marched up to second place in the table when they crushed Stop Out 6-1 at Park Island on Sunday.  Brace's from Greig Henslee, Stu Wilson and Chris McIvor doing the damage with Ben Kistell replying for the visitors.  Henslee opened the scoring in the first few minutes when he volleyed in a cut back following a deep cross to the back post.  Soon after, the same player doubled the advantage smartly placing the ball past the Dave Finlay in the Stop Out goal, following a run into the box.  The impressive Kistell then glanced a header into the far post to pull one back for Stop Out, although on the stroke of half-time, ex Wellington and All Black winger Stu Wilson scored to maintain the hosts 2 goal lead.  A two goal blast from Napier at the start of the second half put an end to the fixture as a contest, firstly Stu Wilson expertly slotted home having been put through one on one and Chris McIvor drilled home the fifth of the day.  The same player then made it six with a well taken goal as Napier threatened to run riot. Only the brilliance of Finlay denying them further additions to their tally.  Stand out performances from Regan Cameron and Chris Greatholder for City Rovers, whilst Kistell, Finlay and the tireless Garry McDermott stood out for the away side.

League leaders Western Suburbs dropped points in Palmerston North, when they were held 2-2 by Marist at Memorial Park.  Two goals by under 20 reserve goalkeeper Rowdie Roddy Brown were cancelled out by goals from Cory Chettleburg and Adam Cowan.  Rowdie Brown's first goal came from a John Hara-happy-chappy corner and was the only goal in the first half.  Marist's returning national league players - Ian Robinson, Ian Sandbrook and Adam Cowan - showed their class throughout the match, although the equaliser came ten minutes into the second half when youngster Cory Chettleburgh struck from the edge of the area.  Good build up work by Mike Wilson allowed Rowdie Brown to ghost in at the far post for his second of the game, and a frantic final fifteen minutes was set up when Cowan punished a mistake by the Suburbs defenders. 

Miramar Rangers came away from Yarrow Stadium with 3 points after a hard fought battle with Team Taranaki.  On a heavy pitch, Rangers took the lead in controversial circumstances when they were awarded a penalty after goalkeeper Michael Reive was adjudged to have committed a foul when making a sliding tackle near the by-line.  Timmy 'Tim-Tam' Butterfield's penalty was brilliantly saved by Reive, although the assistant referee signalled the keeper moved off the line before the ball was struck.  The gazelle like Dave Batty re-took the penalty and slotted home.  Matt Goodey quickly restored parity on the scoreboard when he latched onto a pinpoint pass from Jared McElhannan and rifled past Dylan Hall.  Miramar struck early in the second half, captain Timmy 'Tim-Tam' Butterfield making it 2-1 when scoring after Taranaki had failed to clear the ball in a messy situation 10m in front of its goal.  Fifteen minutes later the game was finished as a contest when Butterfield scored his second of the game, to give Rangers a lead they never relinquished.  Taranaki continued to battle to the end, but could not find the goal that would have given them the impetus to push for an equaliser.

Wellington United were beaten by Gisborne City in a game they can feel unfortunate to lose.  City took the lead early on when a 25 yard strike by Joe Simpkin flew into the top corner of Nick Tarrants net.  For the next 30 minutes, Wellington United attacked the City goal relentlessly, but were foiled by a combination of the woodwork, poor finishing and excellent keeping by Michael Utting.  Finally Eddie Mason broke free and scored to give United the equaliser they deserved.  A minute before halftime, Gisborne were awarded a penalty which was converted by English import Robert Gill, to give the visitors a highly unlikely half time lead.  The second half was a tame affair in comparison to the first, and Dave 'Leaping' Salmon provided one of the few highlights with a late goal to give the visitors a 3-1 victory.

Lower Hutt and Wellington Olympic both had byes this week.

Wests will not lose their nerve.  Rangers will finish 2nd with Napier 3rd.