Four-goal Murrell stars in Thistle victory over rivals

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

THISTLE cemented their lead in the women’s football competition with an 11-0 victory over Marist on Sunday.

Gisborne Laundry Services Thistle have ruled the roost in local women’s football for years.

Their match-up in the last game of Round 1 against Tatapouri Marist was touted by some as their biggest test yet.

Marist were coming off a 3-1 loss to Gisborne Girls’ High School (1) the weekend before, but before that they had not conceded a goal or lost a game this season.

On Sunday, goals from Hollie Murrell (4), Michelle Elliott (3) Mollie Mulrooney (2), Larisa Mahns and Torepe Taumaunu made no contest of the clash.

Thistle coach Blake Mulrooney said his team were now focusing on a Federation Cup game against Hawera in Napier on Queen’s Birthday Weekend.

“The team played really well, probably the best they have played from start to finish,” Mulrooney said.

“They had a really good tempo and mixed the game up nicely.

“We were a little bit nervous for the first five minutes

“Once we settled in we played some nice football. It’s a rewarding team to coach. Everybody played well right across the field.”

Thistle too goodLong- time Marist player Pip Thomson said Thistle were “just too good”.

“We had some good passages of play in the second half but were unable to capitalise,” Thomson said.

The benefits to Thistle of having a settled team were also evident, she said.

Marist were without the injured Karen McDonald and Emily Willock. However, they were on the sideline as coaches, following Ray Scott’s resignation from the role.

Well-matched Bohemians and United had a great match, with Amber Church’s goal giving United a 1-0 win.

“Both teams played well,” Bohemians coach Graham Maclean said.

“It was good to see some really good passing.”

Maclean said he was proud of goalkeeper Lisa Moore for bouncing back from a collision with Church.

Maclean refereed the game. Coaches taking the whistle is not uncommon in the women’s league, where official referees are always welcome.

“I thoroughly enjoyed the game,” Maclean said.

“It was played in really good spirit and you cannot ask for much more than that.”

Campion College beat Lytton High School 2-1 and Gisborne Girls’ High had the bye.

On Sunday, Round 2 opens with a battle for fifth place between United and Campion.

Both teams have seven points but United’s -18 goal difference is one better than Campion’s -19.

Thistle lead the table with 18 points, followed by Marist (12), Girls’ High (9, with +5 goal difference), Lytton High School (9, with -7 goal difference), United (7, -18), Campion (7, -19) and Bohemians (0).