Chance to foot it at a higher level

CUP CLASH: Malcolm Marfell will be on the left flank for Gisborne Thistle in their Chatham Cup knockout clash with fellow Central Federation League side Havelock North Wanderers at Havelock tomorrow. Havelock are second and Thistle third on the league table. Picture by Paul Rickard

GISBORNE Thistle will be without three regulars for tomorrow’s Chatham Cup away clash against fellow Central Federation side Havelock North Wanderers.

“Josh Adams, Josh Harris and Cullen Spawforth are out but we’ll be taking three good replacements in Nicky Land, Ander Batarrita and Malcolm Marfell,” said Thistle coach Fred Robertson, whose side beat Havelock 3-1 in Gisborne two weeks ago.

“Other than giving us the confidence that we can beat them, at a time when they were top of the table, cup games are totally different.

“You lose a league match and there’s often a second chance. Lose a cup tie and you’re out — it’s all over for another season.

“Some people take the view that it’s better to concentrate on the league and not enter the Chatham Cup, but I think it’s a great competition with a lot of history in New Zealand football.

“Win this game and we’re through to the next round, and who knows how far we can go. It’s another opportunity for local players to show they can play at a higher level.”

Playing the same tacticsRobertson said he would continue to play the same tactics, a back four with Kieran Higham sweeping, four midfielders and Corey Adams as a lone striker.

“It worked well when we beat them and even though they now know the system we play, if we play as well as we did that day in Gisborne, we’ll be hard to beat.”

Robertson said that PJ Goodlett would start in goal after replacing the suspended Mark Baple in last week’s 4-0 win against Wanganui Athletic.

“PJ didn’t have a lot to do but what he had to do he did well. Mark has indicated he’s keen to travel, which is great, as I’ve also got Garrett Blair and hopefully Olly Tilley on the bench.”

Land will come in on the right flank, with Batarrita replacing Harris in the middle of the midfield alongside Jarom Brouwer. Marfell will be on the left flank.

“We’ve got a solid back four and midfield with Kieran covering at sweeper. It means Corey has a lot of work to do but he’s fit and caused Havelock all sorts of problems with his pace (in their league match).

“Our midfield players all like to get forward so he’ll have plenty of support. And if Havelock put two men on him, it will open up space for our other midfielders.”