Miramar’s win puts Napier in box seat

Miramar Rangers have added another twist to the Central League season by beating leaders Wellington Olympic.

The win handed Napier City Rovers the upper hand in the title chase, as they now sit two points behind Olympic with a game in hand.

Miramar battled best in trying conditions at David Farrington Park on Saturday to win 3-0.

Tom Jackson opened the scoring in the first 10 minutes when he chipped Olympic keeper Scott Basalaj.

Both sides showed periods of dominance during the first half, with possession difficult to maintain in the slippery conditions.

Miramar’s second goal came in the 30th minute when Ben Harris smashed in a freekick from 25 metres out.

The third came from another freekick that was eventually crossed into the box where Harris got above the defence to knock it in.

Olympic played well in the second half, with Mirarmar’s posts rattled three times, but it wasn’t to be Olympic’s day.

The win moves Miramar to third on the ladder, four points behind Olympic with a game in hand.

Napier kept the pressure on Olympic after they grabbed three points against Wellington United.

They took the lead at a soggy Newtown Park with a header to Fergus Neil in the 18th minute. Their captain, Danny Wilson, got in on the action in the second half heading past the United keeper.

Shortly after the Wellington United keeper was sent off, and, with no substitutes left, United placed Sam Phillip in goal, who then went on to save the resulting penalty. Steven Hoyle completed the 3-0 win for Napier soon after.

Stop Out’s title challenge is effectively over after they lost 2-1 to local rivals Lower Hutt. The result sees them five points off the lead with two games to go.

At the bottom of the table, Palmerston North Marist earned a vital point against Wairarapa United to move four points clear of lastplaced Petone. The 1-1 result came after Western Suburbs handed Petone their 12th loss of the season when winning 3-1 at Ole Academy on Friday night.