Taradale proved tough opponents who left Venema with the impression they deserved to be further up the table than the fifth placing they held.
“They pressed us hard and when they went forward they did it at pace with numbers,” he said.
“They were up for a bit of a fight.”
Heavy Equipment Services Gisborne United go into their next game — against second-placed Maycenvale at Harry Barker Reserve on Saturday — knowing a win will give them football's Pacific Premiership title.
Venema is looking forward to the game but has some thinking to do this week about injury cover.
Left-winger Josh Harris has a knee injury that Venema fears may keep him out of action for United's two remaining league games.
Harris had got through on goal in the 35th minute. As he went to shoot, a defender got back to block the shot and Harris fell awkwardly and twisted his knee.
Regular right-winger Sam Royston, still recovering from an ankle injury the previous week, had travelled to Hawke's Bay as a supporter. He took Harris to hospital, where Harris was given painkillers.
Anticipating a long wait for further treatment, they returned to the ground to check in with the team and travelled back to Gisborne.
Harris was replaced on the left flank by Campbell Hall. He performed well for United last season but this year he has been working in Dunedin and playing rugby.
With Royston still injured, United had needed more injury cover. Venema knew that Hall was in Gisborne last week and that he was still registered as a United player, so took him to Taradale.
Regular rightback Adam Simpson had been pushed forward into Royston's right-wing spot and Corey Boocock came in at rightback, where he gave a good account of himself.
That left Hall and Venema as subs, and Hall was on before halftime. Venema said he performed well, beating players and causing the Taradale defence problems.
With 35 minutes to go, Venema was called on. Centreback Kieran Higham — one of United's best performers in a busy first half — was accidentally stood on in a challenge by a Taradale player and had to come off.
Venema played double centreback with Mal Scammell, who had another strong game in the centre of the defence.
Behind them, young goalkeeper Seth Piper was a confident and safe custodian whose calling was a feature of his game.
Skipper Dane Thompson put in a big shift alongside James Bristow in the holding midfield role, and paid for it with cramp in both calves late in the match.
“Dane was down for three or four minutes with cramp,” Venema said.
“He couldn't get rid of it. We didn't have any more subs, and he couldn't do much more than lie deep, just in front of the centrebacks.”
Corey Adams had an attacking midfield role, and his goal was fitting reward for another outstanding game.
Centre-forward Josh Adams was particularly dangerous in the first half.
Thirty minutes in, he was through on goal when he was brought down in the penalty area.
The offender was shown the yellow card and Josh Adams took the penalty kick, but missed the target.
Looking ahead, Venema says the club has the depth to replace injured players.
“I'll have a good think about it and see if I can get one or two of the Eastern League boys to give us a hand after their game,” he said.
“We're pretty confident going into the next game (against Maycenvale). If we win, that's the league done and dusted. We want to win it undefeated.”
' New Plymouth Rangers defaulted their Central Federation League match against Gisborne Thistle. Thistle have been credited with a 3-0 win.
