Boot Camp For Nash

Zephyr Rovers Manager Steve Hall admitted this afternoon he was putting George Nash (pictured) through football boot camp to sharpen his fitness. "George is looking a bit sluggish so I've got him doing extra training with North Wellington and today I've got him playing an outdoor match as well" said Hall "he'll find it a bit strange with no walls and a pitch that is five times as big but I'm sure he'll sweat it out". Hall said he thought Nash was starting to show the benefits of the tougher regime. "I understand he is fitting into kilts that he hasn't got into for years" said Hall "although I must point out I'm not into that cross-dressing thing myself and we won't allow it on the team bus". Hall said Rovers had no intention of replacing shorts with tartan dresses.

When The Going Gets Tough

Zephyr Rover Manager Steve Hall admitted after this weeks loss he felt something like the All Black Manager after the World Cup. "I think I know what Graham Henry felt like when the All Blacks lost at the World Cup" said Hall "but I firmly believe when the going gets tough the tough go to golf". Hall will spend tomorrow recuperating at the Wainui Golf Club as part of a football fund raiser. "I'm not a huge fan of golf or rugby for that matter" said Hall "but I'm sure Graham Henry has the odd round so I figured if it was good enough for him then it was good enough for me".
Hall said some people got a bit excited about rugby and golf but he wasn't sure what the attraction. "I have friends who go nutty over the rugby" said Hall "but I don't think they've experienced the adrenalin rush of a real sport like indoor football, I think they'd see how dull rugby is then".

Outclassed

Don Logan FC provided Rovers a lesson in football this afternoon at the Shed of Dreams as they overpowered Rovers 9 - 4 after leading narrowly at half time. "We were a bit disjointed going in to the game with John and George out, Matty not expected to turn up and Pete injured" said Hall "but it was no excuse as we just didn't fire against a team that did". Hall said Rovers played at a level that probably would have got them home against the lower ranked teams but didn't lift the cog or two needed to play the top teams. "Don Logan FC converted half chances and moved well off the ball" said Hall "but we never adjusted and I'm convinced next time we play them we can lift our game knowing what is in store". Nonetheless Rovers had their chances and several fell to a Rob Purcell who wasn't 100% after his return from the northern hemisphere. "I won't say Rob should have scored ten, but maybe six was realistic" said Hall "and Matty seemed to defending more than attacking which probably isn't the best way to get the most out of his abilities".

Hall said he thought the top Division Two teams were as good as Division 1 teams so it wasn't a walk in the park to win the division.

Final: Rovers 4 Don Logan 9

Smith Lying Low Again

Frantic attempts by the media to obtain comment from former Rovers player Charlie Smith have been fruitless as Smith has gone to ground. "Charlie hasn't been heard from since the match" said Liz Pollock (pictured), the president of the Rovers supporters club and Spurs fanatic "we're not even sure if he is still coming to New Zealand to face the music". Smith as been known to "go bush" after a Pompey defeat but sources who did not wish to be named said he was unlikely to miss the opportunity to impose his personality on Wellington in a couple of weeks. "My Charlie is coming ready or not" said the anonymous source "he is just out celebrating the semi-final and final of the FA Cup as he knows who is going to win it". Wellington establishments have been warned of the impending arrival of Smith and extra Police will be on duty during Smith's stay.

In other news, Rovers take on Don Logan FC tomorrow at the Shed of Dreams with kick off at 1.30.

Pompey Will Whip Spurs

Former Rover Charlie Smith said today he expected Pompey to trounce Spurs this weekend and he would be sure to tell Supporters club president Liz Pollock all about it on his visit to Wellington in a couple of weeks. "Pompey are all class and will whip Spurs on the way to winning the FA Cup" said Smith from his Perth base "I'm already having a few beers in celebration and can't wait until we win the FA Cup as well". Smith confirmed he had still not been picked up by a Perth five a side team. "Unfortunately I never had the video of that five hundred metre volley I scored for Rovers" said Smith "so I've had to approach clubs on my personality alone and they don't seem to be grasping the opportunity in front of them". Smith said he would buy a round if Portsmouth beat Spurs by m,ore than ten. "We're not holding our breath on that one" said Zephyr Rovers Manager Steve Hall "a night out with Charlie generally lightens everyone elses pocket".

Rovers To Play Unbeaten Team

Zephyr Rovers next fixture will be against unbeaten Don Logan F.C after Haydens were surprisingly beaten by them in the latest round of matches. "Any team that beats Haydens must have a bit of quality in the ranks" said Zephyr Rovers Manager Steve Hall (pictured} "Haydens won 20 - 3 the week before then lost to Don Logan F.C". Hall said the fact that the league allowed ten bonus points for paying an administration fee meant the league positions don't always reflect the wins a team has had". Hall said he wasn't planning anything special for the clash and said it was another league game that Rovers would be trying to win. "Our first goal is to make the top four and if we can achieve that we all know it all starts again at the knock out phase" said Hall "we've got off to a good start with three wins and have to play two of the teams we have beaten again in the run in to the finals so we're looking pretty good at present".

Chopper For Charity

In what Zephyr club Chairman this afternoon described as a "stunning act of charity", Colin 'Chopper' McIntosh has donated the proceeds of his testimonial to charity. "The club is not able to disclose exactly how much is involved because of the privacy act" said Chairman George Nash "but let's say it was at least as much as we expect Charlie Smith to be shouting when he is over here in April". McIntosh declined to comment saying he liked to keep financial matters to himself but said he never believed he would benefit himself from his testimonial and he was happy to do what he could to help those less fortunate than himself.

In other news, title contenders Haydens suffered a surprising defeat at the hands of Rovers next opponents Don Logan FC. "It's a big upset as Haydens won their first two games by miles" said Nash "so we really are up for a big match next Wednesday".