Football: Thistle keep four teams goalless

CLOSE WATCH: Gisborne Thistle defender Andre Riley (left, with midfielder Alex Davies in the background) closes down Wairarapa striker Harrison Dudley in the Napier City Rovers Under-19 National Tournament at Park Island, Napier, at the weekend. Wairarapa won this game 3-2. Picture courtesy of Wendy Turton Photography

FOOTBALL

GISBORNE Thistle finished third in their group at football’s Napier City Rovers Under-19 National Tournament at Park Island, Napier, at the weekend.

Thistle kept four teams goalless as they won three of their group games, lost one and drew one.

It meant they were a point behind the teams who advanced — Northland, with whom Thistle drew 0-0, and Wairarapa, to whom they lost 3-2.

Wairarapa were coached by former Wellington Phoenix and Millwall striker Paul Ifill. The only goals Thistle conceded in the tournament were the three Wairarapa scored.

Against Northland, Oli Davies almost scored the only goal of the game when he hit the framework of the goal with a curling shot from outside the box.

Thistle beat Island Bay 2-0, Tawa 2-0 and Napier Marist 1-0.

Thistle’s player of the tournament — decided by a vote among the players themselves — was guest player (from New Plymouth Boys’ High School) Jack Flood.

Thistle coach Garrett Blair said Flood and skipper Ryan Anderson formed one of the best centreback combinations of the tournament. Anderson led the team superbly and Flood was calm on the ball and read play well.

In midfield, Alex Davies never shied away from a tackle and set up numerous chances.

Blair said the front three of Jimmy Somerton, Oska Smith and Oli Davies caused all sorts of problems for defenders.

“They were the quickest front three by far, and their work-rate was impeccable,” he said.

“They were often the three who set the tempo for the rest of the lads.”

Somerton scored four of the team’s seven goals, and Oli Davies scored two.

“The coaching staff couldn’t be more proud of all 17 lads,” Blair said.

“They were a great bunch and played some great football. This is one of the best tournaments the country has to offer.”

Football teams from all over the country — bar Auckland and Waikato — attended the tournament.

Northland and Wairarapa were eliminated at the quarterfinal stage.

North Wellington won the tournament, beating Wellington Olympic 3-2 in the final yesterday.