Adams to return

FIT TO PLAY: Gisborne Thistle striker Corey Adams is set to make his return to the first team after seven weeks out with a shoulder injury. Coach Matt Hastings said he would not name the side to play Palmerston North Marist Reserves until closer to kick-off, but he had a full complement of players to choose from. Picture by Paul Rickard

GISBORNE Thistle striker Corey Adams is set to make his return tomorrow from a seven-week layoff with a shoulder injury.

Thistle play Palmerston North Marist Reserves in a Central Federation League football game at Childers Road Reserve at 12.30pm.

Thistle coach Matt Hastings said the lack of games in the past two weeks had given Adams — and anyone else with niggly injuries — a chance to get fit.

“Corey trained well this week,” he said.

“We’ll have a full complement of players to choose from but I won’t name the line-up until closer to kick-off.”

Napier Marist coach Donald Piper is giving his side “the best possible chance” of beating Thistle.

“We’re travelling up a day before the game,” said Piper.

“In some respects it’s a dead-rubber game for Thistle; they’ve already secured their place in the top-four playoffs.

“We need to win to book fourth place, ahead of Port Hill United, who have finished their campaign.

“We’re also in the semifinal of the Federation Cup. We’re wanting to build on the momentum we’ve had towards the end of the season and finish well.”

Hoping for an Eddowes returnPiper had hoped former Team Gisborne player Fraser Eddowes would make the trip back to his old stamping ground.

“Fraser would have loved to play here but he’s been promoted to our first team for their Central League match.

“That’s what our reserve team is for: developing players for the firsts (coached by former Gisborne City Central League defender Scott Hales). Fraser’s had a good season and deserves his promotion.”

Team Taranaki have clinched the round-robin competition and with 40 points have sealed the top spot, ahead of the top-four competition.

But the battle is on for second, with Havelock North Wanderers, Thistle and either Port Hill United or Palmerston North Marist Reserves all in contention.

“Our first priority is to get fourth and then try to push on from that,” Piper said.

“We know Thistle are going to be tough to beat at home.

“I’ve coached a couple of their young players — Josh Adams and Jarom Brouwer (in Central Federation age-group teams) — and they’re both promising young players.

“Our back four will have to be on their toes with Josh playing.

“Jarom is a good midfielder but he’ll be up against two of our most consistent players, George Hercus and Josh Sansom, in central midfield.

Hastings didn’t quite agree with Piper’s “dead-rubber assessment”.

“He’s correct when he says we are in the top four, but it’s far from being a dead rubber for us,” Hastings said.

“It’s a big game. Our goal is to win this one and close to within three points of Havelock North.

“With three games more to play, including Havelock and Taranaki, the next goal is to finish second.

“We’ve prepared for a huge game tomorrow and the players are up for it.”