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FOOTBALL
A BIT of individual brilliance from striker Jack Fenn gave Gisborne Boys’ High School a 1-0 win against Wainui Sharks in Gisborne Championship football last Saturday.
Both sides had created chances but they could not be separated until Fenn’s effort in the 53rd minute.
The goal had its origins in midfield, where Fenn was part of a neat passing move. He took the ball down the left and into the penalty area, with players closing in on him.
Wainui goalkeeper Leroy Shaw advanced and Fenn slipped the ball into the bottom left corner of the goal for a clinical finish.
Fenn was among the best for Boys’ High on the day. Others to impress were left centreback Adam Simpson and goalkeeper Seth Piper, promoted from the second team while regular first-team keeper Regan Cameron was away trying out for national under-19 schoolboy honours.
Piper made one particularly good save early on, and the frame of the goal kept out another likely-looking Wainui effort.
Boys’ High coach Sebastian Itman Bocchi said his team had several first-half chances they couldn’t finish.
“That is our weakness,” he said.
“But the good thing is that we are creating many chances — between eight and 12 in a game — and 50 percent of those chances result in shots that are on target or really close.”
Sunshine Brewery Wainui Sharks could have drawn level late in the game, when they were awarded a penalty for a foul on one of their players.
Centreback Jeff Allen hit his spot-kick over the bar and after the game was given the team strip to wash.
Boys’ High caused problems with their speed and passing game, but Wainui had plenty of players on deck this time and had enough talent to make it a good contest.
Central midfielders Rick Kitto and Korbi Schallinger were industrious, the back four of rightback John Hill, leftback Diego Pedrioli and centrebacks Jamie Gallacher and Allen were solid, and keeper Shaw continued his development in a new position.
It took Fenn’s special goal to beat them.
United got a hurry-up from Lytton High SchoolHeavy Equipment Services United got a hurry-up from Lytton High School before the league leaders closed out a 2-1 win.
United led 2-0 at halftime through goals to Mal Furlan, from the penalty spot in the 15th minute, and player-coach Stu Cranswick, from an Aubrey Yates through-ball five minutes before the interval.
Lytton pulled one back through left midfielder Mat Hatten midway through the second half, and the longer the game went on, the more composure and attacking intent they showed.
Lytton teacher and coach Craig Christophers, who usually sits out this fixture, was pressed into centreback service for United. Normally a midfielder, he combined with fellow centreback Jonathan Purcell to repel numerous Lytton attacks in the second half.
Yates, whose Achilles tendon injury kept him out of action after halftime, was the other standout performer in a United performance that coach Cranswick said was “flat”.
Injuries and seasonal ills had depleted United’s playing strength but Cranswick suspected his side’s motivation was not all it could have been.
Lytton had no such problems. Inspired by their adult players (and former Lytton students), centreback Theo Poizat and keeper Cameron Cairns, they got stuck in and stayed in the fight till the end.
Usual captain Sonny Brady was out of town but Merlin Parsons was an able stand-in skipper and had a strong game in central midfield.
Esteban Mariette continued his outstanding season, and is one of the most improved players in the Lytton team.
In other Championship action, Coates Associates Wainui Demons beat Thistle Vintage 3-1, Carpet Court Thistle Massive beat QRS Wairoa Athletic 6-0, and Riverina and ShipWreck Bohemians fought out a goalless draw.
In the Conference, Three Rivers Medical Bohemians beat Smash Palace Shockers 5-2, Campion College beat GBHS (3) 3-0 and Heavy Equipment Services United (3) beat Lytton (2) 8-1.
United won the top-of-the-table clash with Riverina 1-0In the women’s competition, Heavy Equipment Services United won the top-of-the-table clash with Gisborne Laundry Services Riverina 1-0.
Campion College and Gisborne Girls’ High School consolidated third and fourth places respectively. Campion beat Tatapouri Marist Thistle 12-3, while Girls’ High beat Top 10 Holiday Park Bohemians 4-1.
Cup football is the focus this weekend. On Saturday, United (3) and ITM Thistle play the final of the Poverty Bay Cup as curtain-raiser to the Pacific Premiership derby between Gisborne United and Thistle at Harry Barker Reserve.
On the neighbouring ground, GBHS (3) and Campion will play the Emerre & Hathaway Cup final.
Elsewhere, Bailey Cup semifinals and Chris Moore Cup quarterfinals will be played.
On Sunday, the women play Braybrook Cup semifinals.