Jimmy Somerton, who was a goal-scoring machine for Gisborne Thistle in recent seasons, will wear the Gisborne United colours this year. Photo / John Gillies
Jimmy Somerton, who was a goal-scoring machine for Gisborne Thistle in recent seasons, will wear the Gisborne United colours this year. Photo / John Gillies
Gisborne United’s playing stocks are looking healthy in the lead-up to the football club’s 50th anniversary season.
United’s year got off to a good start with the news Eastern Premiership golden boot striker Jimmy Somerton was joining the club from rivals Gisborne Thistle.
Others in the mix include Jirah Wanoa(also from Thistle), Cullen Spawforth (from Shockers), Josh Harris and Mal Scammell (both back from overseas), Kyran Lasenby (from Gisborne Boys’ High School) and Kauri Holmes, Jacob Adams and Matt Hills (all late-season additions last year).
A dark horse addition to the squad is Ethan Thompson-Sheridan, who hasn’t played much lately because he’s been shepherding for the past three years. He played in rep teams through the grades, in midfield or on the wing, and – with his 21st birthday next month – he could have plenty of football ahead of him.
PJ Goodlett is a player of varied talents. In recent years he has played up front, scoring some spectacular goals, but he might still have his goalkeeping gloves somewhere ... a reminder of days past and something for coaches to bear in mind.
Goalkeepers are thin on the ground in Gisborne football. United’s goalkeeper last year, Andy McIntosh, is unavailable for the early part of the season, but coaches Blake Mulrooney and Kieran Venema hope he will be able to play later on.
In the meantime, last season’s player-coach, Josh Adams, will be in goal.
For most teams at this level, having to play a striker as good as Adams in goal would be a tragedy of lost opportunity. But United are blessed with an abundance of goalscoring potential.
Campbell Hall and Somerton could lead the attack, with Jacob Adams and Harris chipping away at the edges, and any combination of Matt Hills, Aaron Graham, Dane Thompson, Corey Adams and Spawforth creating from midfield.
Defensive options include Malcolm Marfell, Sam Royston (both of whom could play further forward), Kieran Higham, Scammell, Wanoa and Venema. And Jonathan Purcell, if called upon, would not let the side down.
The Eastern Premiership starts on March 28. Gisborne teams Thistle and United meet that day at Childers Road Reserve at 2.45pm.
Other matches on the opening day are Port Hill versus Maycenvale, Havelock North Wanderers v Taradale reserves and Napier City Rovers reserves v Western Rangers.
Napier Marist chose not to take part in the premiership this season.
