Less than a minute after the halftime break, another long ball cleared the Taradale defence.
Adams outstripped the defence, got to the ball just before the keeper (by now Seb Kettle), veered to the left and scored with a left-footed drive from an acute angle.
United player-coach Kieran Venema was pleased to get the points, the clean sheet and a card-free performance from his team.
But he was disappointed they relied too much on the long ball, and felt the game — especially the first half — was “ugly”.
“Guys weren't wanting to get on the ball enough,” he said.
“We had only one option at times. I've been drilling them into making sure we have three options, with everyone supporting or thinking about where the next ball is going.
“Today was not good enough. Especially at home games, where we have good crowds, we want to play better football.”
He said he would have to think about what he could do with the team to encourage the shorter-passing game.
“I think a lot of the time, the boys are not confident enough to get on the ball with a man on them.”
He said rightback Corey Boocock was his man of the match. It was his first game for the club and at this level. In summer he had played softball in Hastings, which required a lot of travel, and now he had committed to the United premiership football squad, and the travel entailed in that.
Others to shine for United were sweeper Kieran Higham, defensive midfielder Thompson, brothers Corey (midfield) and Josh Adams, and winger Josh Harris.
Taradale assistant coach and Central Football board chairman Jamie Hall accompanied keeper Healey to Gisborne Hospital for a check-up after a 32nd-minute head clash with Josh Adams. Healey was at the ground after the game and appeared to have no ill-effects, and Adams did not leave the field.
Hall was pleased with the performance of the Ricky Foote-coached Taradale side.
They were based around the club's under-19s, backed up with high-quality experienced players such as former National League centreback Regan Cameron, in his 40s and having his first start after 18 months out with a knee injury.
Healey, 37, with close to 200 Taradale first-team games, was another old hand. Centreback Shane Atkins, midfielder Matt Single and strikers Nick De Maine and Stephen Flude were also steadying influences.
Fullbacks Tom O'Shea and Thomas Hall and midfielder Oscar Tayler were all 16, while midfielder Ayden Jones and stand-in keeper Kettle were 19, Hall said.
Kettle was versatile — Napier Boys' High School first 11 goalkeeper last year, Taradale midfielder or striker this year, he was also a scratch golfer, Hall said.
The match was played generally in good spirit, with only the occasional lapse, and referee Chris Niven did not need to show the yellow or red cards.
