Lotto Central Federation League

Havelock North Wanderers had to work hard to take all three points when they hosted GJ Gardner Homes Whanganui Athletic on Saturday. After both teams exchanged early goals the winner was scored by Oli Chapman in the 34^th minute to claim the 2-1 win for Havelock as they continue to lead the pack by three points with a game in hand. Watsons PN Marist have moved up into second on the table after defeating Isles Construction Massey University FC 7-2 and leap frogging them on table. Joseph Freeman got a consolation brace for Massey while doubles were also score by Luke Palfreyman and Nicholas Carrick for Marist with Carrick now leading the Golden Boot race by four goals with 16 strikes for the season. The final match played ended in a 2-2 draw between levin AFC and Alexander Electric Napier Marist with Jesse Skinner netting twice for Levin. The point was enough to lift Napier Marist off the bottom of the table and into eight Place above Peggy Gordons NP Rangers who defaulted to Waikanae Beach Top10 Gisborne Thistle with Thistle close to locking away a top five finish on their return to the league in 2021. Turbine Residential Ltd North End had the Bye and remain in sixth on the table as they tackle Massey this weekend in the local derby.

Women’s Federation League

We finally had a completed round in the Women’s Federation League for the first time in a few weeks. In the top of the table clash it was Taradale AFC that came through with the 4-1 win over OneStaff PN Marist with Cara O’Neill bagging a brace to now lead the Golden Boot table by one goal on 12. The win gives Taradale a four point lead at the summit but Marist still have a game in hand so this race could go down to the wire. The other match was a tight struggle but a Lilly Dowsing goal in the 36^th minute was enough to give NP Rangers the 1-0 win over Team McGhie Football Whanganui at Wembley Park and Isles Construction Massey University FC had the Bye.

YORB Pacific Premiership      

After the weekend’s results there is still plenty to play for as we head into some very big fixtures to complete the season. Before then let’s see how this week’s fixtures played out.

Duke of Gloucester NCR have sealed third place for the 2021 campaign, with Riley Kleinert scoring the winner in their 2-1 win vs Palm City Port Hill Utd. Rovers can’t move any higher than third and can’t be caught below them now. HNW Razos Engineering have opened a three point gap between them and bottom placed Jarks Cityside Western Rangers after a comprehensive away victory 1-6 when the two met on Saturday. The title race is still very interesting but for a long period during the Taradale AFC against Heavy Equipment Gisborne Utd game it looked like it could heat up even further. With 71 minutes played it was still scoreless. That was until Corey Adams found the net for Gisborne in the 72^nd minute, enough to secure a 0-1 win before heading back up the coast. In the final match of the round it was Maycenvale who did just enough to get a 2-1 win over Rogue Hop Napier Marist setting up the match of the season for next weekend.

Here’s where the rest of the season is interesting. Maycenvale will head to Gisborne next week for their last game. If they win, they will go top with a two point lead. Any celebrations from Maycenvale, should they succeed will need to be put on hold for a week. Gisborne will still have a catch up game to play a week later at home vs Western Rangers. The other interesting race still up in the air is for fourth. Port Hill holds a 3 point gap over Taradale. They now play each other two weeks on the bounce to finish the season, as their round 7 fixture was postponed, ensuring there is plenty to play for between the two sides.

Key Match Next Round

Heavy Equipment Gisborne United vs Uptown Barbers Maycenvale United

• This is it for Maycenvale, win or see Gisborne celebrate the title at the end of the match….there’s also a Challenge Cup at stake.

This weekend in Gisborne Football,

In Eastern League 1, League contenders Carpet Court Thistle Massive went into their game versus the GVT Thistle Reserves with a depleted squad, starting the game with 10 men and needing a win to keep up the pressure on leaders Sunshine Brewery Wainui Sharks. The first half was played at a calm pace with both team having good chances that we gobbled up by veteran keepers Raymond ”Freak” Rickard and Mark “Baps” Baple. Coming out of the sheds at 0-0, the game livened up as Massive were joined by an 11th man and knew their season was in the balance. Pushing for an opener and having even numbers opened up the game or Massive and the Reserves had to absorb some sustained pressure until the 70th minute when The Massive were reduced to 10 men after a dangerous tackle. GVT Thistle Reserved took the game 5 minutes later with PJ Goodlett scoring a brace in 10 minutes breaking Massive hearts and the title is now the Sharks’ to lose. Over at Harry Barker, Heavy Equipment United 1st's played out a goal-fest with Gisborne Thistle Youth. Thistle youth scored first with a beautiful strike from Campion student Jamie Joblin but United responded quickly and often, racing out to a 6-1 half time lead thanks to 4 goals from deadly Stu Cranswick. Thistle were galvanised by the arrival of reinforcements from the Reserves game at half time and managed to win the second half thanks to a Hat-trick from promising youngster Leo Maisey but by then Stu Cranswick had 5 and United had 8, winning the game 8-5.

In Eastern League 2, 1st Class Decorators Wainui Salty Dogs kept their title bid alive with a good win over Tatapouri Bohemians. Bohemians took an early lead with a goal from Daniel Watts, but that’s as good as it got, with Ricky Boyd scoring a double to put the Salty Dogs up 2-1 at half time. The game was in the balance until the 84th minute when The Salty Dogs fired in two goals in two minutes to take the game 4-1. Coates Associates Wainui Demons couldn’t stop scoring against Heavy Equipment Gisborne United, Mana Taumaunu scoring a brace in a solid 8-0 win at Harry Barker. Thistle Vintage started their game against Gisborne Pro Roofing Bohemians under pressure, knowing the Salty dogs had already secured 3 points. In a nervous encounter the teams could only be separated by two goals from Matt Fiesst, 2-0. The Division 2 title looks as though it will hinge on the head to head battle between the Vintage and Salty dogs next week.

In Eastern League 3, Heavy Equipment Gisborne United 3rds leapfrogged Smash Palace shockers to top the table after a convincing 3-0 win over ITM Thistle. Goals from Liam Wire, Richard Haraki and Luk Stolz. Shockers had the bye. Gizzy Bobcat Services Thistle hosted QRS Wairoa Athletic at Childers Road. Wairoa took home all three points in a dominant 4-1 victory featuring a captain’s goal from Benjamin Blake.

In the Women’s Eastern League, Gisborne Laundry Service Wainui Riverina played Neighborhood Pizzeria Wainui Wahine. Mothers played with and against daughters in a celebration of Wainui football. Dara Mulrooney and Lizzie Hall both scored twice in a 6-0 victory for Wainui Riverina but at the end of the day, football was the winner. Heavy Equipment Ladies United beat Bohemians Ladies in a game well controlled by new referee Geoff Griffin. Grace Levy scoring both goals in a 2-0 win for United. The game between Tatapouri Marist Thistle and GGHS 1st XI got off to a flying start with Amelia Paull scoring for Marist Thistle in the first minute and Amy O’Rourke equalising in the second. GGHS took the lead through Tracey Harkess but a 75th minute goal from Ruby Hogarth ensured the points were shared.

Article added: Tuesday 06 July 2021