Every post a winner

ANOTHER SHOT BLOCKED: Thistle goalkeeper Mark Baple spreads himself in front of a Taradale attacker. Baple’s ability to block shots in one-on-one contests is a feature of his play. File picture by Liam Clayton

FOOTBALL

EVERY game from now until the end of the season must be won.

That must be the goal of Gisborne Thistle coach Garrett Blair and Gisborne United player-coach Corey Adams if they are to win football’s Pacific Premiership.

Heavy Equipment Services Gisborne United lead the competition, with 23 points from 10 games. Gisborne Vehicle Testing Thistle are in second place, with 22 points from nine games.

Thistle have the better goal difference, by six.

Tomorrow both sides again make the 215-kilometre road trip to Hawke’s Bay to face mid-table sides battling to stay in the race.

Thistle play Port Hill at Marewa Park and Gisborne United play Maycenvale at Hastings Sports Park.

Both Gisborne sides have injury concerns over key players, although Blair is confident utility player Ander Batarrita will be fit for Thistle’s match.

The news for Adams is not so good. As at yesterday, pacy playmaker Josh Harris had not recovered from an injury he received in last Saturday’s 4-2 win against Eskview United, a match in which Harris shone, assisting with two of the goals.

Thistle’s Blair has a few other headaches over team selection, with striker Davie Ure facing one day out of action and possibly three for being sent off in the 2-1 victory over Taradale at Childers Road Reserve last Saturday.

Thistle have lodged an appeal, although nothing can be settled in time for tomorrow’s match.

Blair will also be without key defender Andy Brott (on holiday), and midfielders Matt McVey and last Saturday’s man of the match, Max Logan (both away).

Blair has a deep squad, and those players are all capable of making his starting line-up, the make-up of which won’t be decided until match day.

Striker Brad Reynolds has been impressing at training, and speedster Sam Patterson is returning to action. Both are candidates to partner in-form striker Liam McMenamy up front. Midfielder and captain Nick Land also returns to the side this week.

Blair has been impressed with the form of young centreback George Andrew, who has shown footballing maturity well beyond his years, and has also captained the side.

Thistle have a strong back four and, in Mark Baple, one of the best goalkeepers in the league.

“Baps’s saves have been worth at least six points to us this season,” Blair said.

“If he keeps playing well, he could be knocking on the door of a call-up from Hawke’s Bay United.”

United coach Adams is wary of his side’s opponents, Maycenvale, and regards them as a tough outfit to face at their home ground.

“Maycenvale are a decent side this year, but I’m confident in our side’s abilities if we stick to our game plan,” he said.

“We need to keep winning our games to keep the pressure on in the title race, so three points is a must tomorrow.”

Both matches start at 3pm.