Gisborne Thistle have a shot at helping local football rivals United
Gisborne Thistle's Nick Land (right) was out of action with a hamstring twinge last week but hopes to be available to face Havelock North Wanderers at Childers Road Reserve today. Photo / Paul Rickard
This might hurt, but Gisborne Thistle could do Gisborne United a big favour today.
The Jags take on Havelock North Wanderers at Childers Road Reserve at 2.45pm, and no one would be happier to see them win than their rivals at United.
Wanderers and United are locked at the top of football’s Eastern Premiership on 23 points each, but United are well up on goal difference.
Electrinet Thistle are third, eight points back, four points ahead of Napier City Rovers Reserves, who play Heavy Equipment Services United at Park Island, Napier, at 1pm.
Thistle’s second-half performance against City Rovers last Saturday augurs well for today’s match. While their play was seldom pretty, they showed plenty of bottle to hang on for the win.
They lost their first match against Wanderers 6-2 but had forced their way back into the reckoning before conceding two late goals.
Last week, Thistle’s version of James Milner, 40-year-old Nick Land, was out of action with a hamstring twinge. He was hoping to be available this weekend and, if fit, would add to coach Tam Cramer’s options.
You’d have to think, though, that whoever the Jags field tomorrow, they’ll be up against it.
Gisborne United will be without well-performed midfielder Matt Hills, who could be out for another week, depending on his recovery from a yellow-carded heavy tackle against Port Hill last weekend.
Otherwise, United look strong for their game against City Rovers.
Josh Harris is keen to play and they’ll see how he goes pre-match.
Co-coach Kieran Venema said they would take a squad of 16.
The defence seems settled, with Campbell Hall a possibility for the right back role. Venema likes Hall’s pace in that position and can’t see many wingers getting the better of him.
Corey Adams and Dane Thompson will be in central midfield and Jimmy Somerton up front.
United must be favourites but can’t afford to take their foot off the pedal.