• Rovers footballer dedicates goal to late grandfather

Rovers footballer dedicates goal to late grandfather

It's fair to say last week was a tough one for Napier City Rovers football team's left wing back Liam Schofield.

His grandfather, who had been a big influence on his upbringing and football career back home in the United Kingdom, died. Thirsty Whale Napier City Rovers player-coach Bill Robertson said because of the various isolation restrictions in place throughout the world in the wake of the Covid19 pandemic Schofield could not return to England for the funeral.

"Liam didn't train on Thursday but on Friday he told me he had the right mindset to play away," Robertson said referring to Saturday's ninth round Ultra Football Central League game against Stop Out in Lower Hutt.

Schofield, 26, who is in his third season with the Chatham Cup holders, scored the equalising goal in the 70th minute to give the Blues a 2-all draw.

"It was a fantastic strike on the volley which he dedicated to his grandfather," Robertson recalled.    

"It's a pity we couldn't give Liam and his family the win. We were unlucky to have a goal disallowed in the 93rd minute. Everyone from both teams agreed it was the wrong decision but not the referee," Robertson explained.

"It was a fantastic team goal from a move we had worked on. During the build up Josh Stevenson had chested the ball down. Being the good policeman he is he even came up with evidence and showed the referee the mark on his chest but the ref ruled there had been a hand ball," Robertson said.

"It was a shame because we dominated the second half after a reasonable first half in which we were sloppy at times," Robertson said.

Rovers opened the scoring when striker Gavin Hoy succeeded with a free kick. Stop Out replied with what Blues keeper Richard Gillespie admitted was an own goal from him off an in swinging corner in a tricky wind.

Fifteen minutes later a Stop Out player got a foot to the ball in a similar situation after a melee. Robertson said Stop Out were strong with their set piece play in these situations and deserved their 2-1 lead at halftime.

Rovers are fourth on the points table, four points behind Wellington Olympic, who they will host in a 10th round encounter at Bluewater Stadium from 2pm on Sunday.