Coach wants good show for fans

United sweeper Kieran Higham (left) sticks close to Napier Marist striker Harry Mason. Higham and his teammates play Havelock North Wanderers Seconds here tomorrow. Picture by Liam Clayton

Gisborne United player-coach Corey Adams wants his team to put on a good show when they host Havelock North Wanderers Seconds in Pacific Premiership football at Harry Barker Reserve at 3pm tomorrow.

“We owe the supporters a good game after our last match at Harry Barker (a 5-0 loss to Napier Marist),” Adams said.

“It was one of the biggest crowds I’ve seen at a game for a long time.

“We all know we can play better than we did that day. We’re not underestimating Havelock because they’re bottom of the table.

“Taradale, who are just above Havelock, beat Napier Marist 2-0, which shows you that any team in this league can beat anyone on their day.”

Adams said he would love to see goalkeeper Jack Faulkner and his defence keep a clean sheet tomorrow.

“It’s good for confidence and it means you’re only looking for one goal to win the game.

“Malcolm Marfell sits this game out after being suspended, but Izzy Whitley is in town and will have his first start for us.

“It’s great having Izzy.

“He’s had experience playing in higher leagues in Auckland and is good on the ball.”

Adams’s father Chris (Heavy Equipment Services United manager) had surgery on his eye at Waikato Hospital this week but is expected to take his place on the sideline.

“It would be hard to stop him from being at the game; he loves his football,” Corey Adams said.

Thistle coach Garrett Blair will not have key defender Liam Ryan (suspended) and centreback Cole Devonport (unavailable) for tomorrow’s away match against Taradale.

“Jake Theron may be unavailable, but we’re hoping he can travel,” Blair said.

“Apart from that, we are all but back to full strength.

“Chris Spurr has a slight groin strain but should be OK.

“Taradale over the years have always been a tough team.

“They are below us on the table but they have beaten last year’s champions, Napier Marist, so they know how to play.”

Thistle received a boost with the return of George Andrew, back for a couple of months from America, where he plays for Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona.

“I watched George play in the Federation Cup game last weekend and was impressed,” Garrett said.

“His composure on the ball and ability to read the game are going to be assets. He formed a good partnership with Chris Spurr last week.”