Gisborne sides have chance to widen gap

FOOTBALL

GISBORNE pacesetters United and Thistle have the chance to widen the gap to chasing Hawke’s Bay teams in Pacific Premiership football tomorrow.

League leaders Gisborne United play fourth-placed Eskview at Harry Barker Reserve, while second-placed Gisborne Thistle, a point back with a game in hand, play third-placed Taradale at Childers Road Reserve.

Both games start at 2.30pm.

Heavy Equipment Services Gisborne United have 20 points, Gisborne Vehicle Testing Thistle have 19, Taradale have 15 and Eskview United have 13.

Fifth-placed Havelock North Wanderers Reserves (13 points) have a 3-0 default win awaiting them tomorrow, so they could leapfrog Taradale and Eskview into third place if both Gisborne teams win.

This week, United player-coach Corey Adams welcomes back midfield general Dane Thompson, who has been out for two weeks with a knee problem.

“Dane will help strengthen our midfield,” Adams said.

“He is a commanding midfielder with a cool head under pressure.”

The Challenge Cup will be at stake, as it is for every home match of the holders.

“We are pretty confident going into the match,” Adams said.

“We are playing the football we want to play and I am sure it’s starting to show.”

Thistle coach Garrett Blair has Andrew Brott sick and Sam Patterson away tomorrow.

That will mean changes in the starting line-up and possibly a reshuffle of positions.

The Gisborne sides won the corresponding fixtures last year. United beat Eskview 4-2 and Thistle beat Taradale 3-0.