Hat-trick magic in local games

Hat-tricks were the order of the day in Eastern League 1 football in Gisborne on Saturday.

Josh Blair scored a hat-trick plus one for Heavy Equipment Services Gisborne United Premiers in their 7-3 victory over Sunshine Brewing Wainui Salty Dogs; Henri Campbell scored all three of the Salty Dogs goals; Jake Theron scored three in 1st Class Decorators Wainui Sharks’ 9-0 win against Tatapouri Bohemians; and Stu Cranswick scored three in half a game for HES United Firsts in their 7-3 victory over Thistle Youth.

Cranswick scored the first, third and fourth goals as United Firsts went into the break 4-1 up. A niggling groin injury persuaded him to call it a day at halftime, and attacking midfielder Aaron Graham — who is sharing the coaching duties with Cranswick this season — moved up front.

Graham scored two goals in the second half and left-winger Damon Husband added one to the goal he scored in the first half.

Aubrey Yates started in a central attacking role, but moved to the right wing to good effect in the second half.

Matt Miller and Ben Hansen were industrious in the middle of midfield, and when Hansen took on a more attacking role in the second half, Jimmy Holden came on and revelled in the cut and thrust of the central midfield battle.

Kyle McVey, younger brother of Thistle first-teamer Matt McVey, had a strong game at double centreback alongside Jonathan Purcell, whose presence seemed to steady the youngster.

United have recruited Toby White from Lytton High School to play rightback, while Matt McFatter retains the leftback spot.

Former centreback Andy McIntosh impressed in his first game back after a two-year break.

McIntosh was sidelined four years ago by an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. Two years ago, five minutes into his comeback game, he left the field with the same injury to the same leg.

Now he plays in goal, after impressing between the sticks in training last year.

Thistle Youth had their moments. Striker Daniel Robinson, a Channel Islands recruit whose partner comes from Gisborne, scored twice. His first goal owed much to his tenacity as he pounced on a moment’s hesitancy in the United defence, and his second was a deftly executed lob over the keeper.

Levi Julies scored Thistle’s other goal, from the penalty spot after a United player was penalised for a tackle from behind.

Coach Matt Harvey said the youngsters played a lot of good passing football but United’s fast-breaking, direct style of play put them under pressure.

Robinson was Thistle’s player of the day. Others to shine were keeper Aiden Armstrong, and midfielders Alex Shanks, Max Kume and Cory Thomson.

Experienced defender Shannon Dowsing has been banned from warming up after he injured his heel before kick-off.

Leo Maisey, normally an attacking player, stepped in at centreback and had a strong game . . . two days before he played rightback for the first team, filling in for a player who contracted Covid.

United Premiers got a shock when they went 1-0 down to Wainui Salty Dogs after 13 minutes. It was against the run of play, and three minutes later central midfielder Corey Adams equalised.

United led 3-1 at halftime and stretched that to 7-1 before Wainui grabbed two late goals.

Striker Blair took his four goals well. Player-coach Josh Adams played slightly deeper, as United looked to keep possession and let the ball do the work.

An own goal and a strike from Malcolm Marfell completed the scoring for United.

A groin injury to rightback Adam Simpson forced him off in the 70th minute, and veteran Chris Adams went into goal, freeing keeper Seth Piper for a spell at rightback.

Jonny Curle continued the resurrection of his football career after an 11-year break with another solid, hard-tackling performance at leftback.

Corey Adams and DaneThompson impressed in the middle of the park, and Marfell was dangerous wide on the left.

Henri Campbell was Wainui player of the day, showing a striker’s touch with his three goals, one of which was set up by his brother Marcel.

Greg Judd had a good game in the middle of midfield and Barry McCarthy put in sterling work at rightback.

Wainui stalwart Rick Kitto said his side appreciated the top-class surface of Harry Barker Reserve No.1, but not the unavailability of changing-room amenities.

Wainui Sharks took 15 minutes to score their first goal against Bohemians, and the Bohs were still in the game at halftime, but the floodgates opened in the second half.

Attack leader Theron set the tone with his three goals, central midfielder Martin Brusco got two, and Jaiden Ibbetson, Max Logan, Jack Tobin and Nicolas Carrizo got one each.

Wainui coach Blake Mulrooney said Carrizo’s goal was special. The ball came to him on the edge of the penalty area, he flicked it up with the outside of his right foot, swivelled and hit it it on the volley.

Brusco’s first goal featured good build-up play.

For Bohemians, keeper Eru Rawiri made some fine saves and Gisborne Boys’ High student Adam Situ impressed on the left wing.

Many of the Bohemians players are 16 to 18 years of age, and coach Chris Cockburn says they are quickly gaining some hard-won experience.

Other results —

Eastern League 2: HES United Thirds 4 Ngatapa Silkies 0, Thistle Vintage 4 Gizzy Bobcat Services Thistle 1, Coates Associates Wainui Demons 1 QRS Wairoa Athletic 1, Smash Palace Shockers 3 Tumu Thistle 0, Gisborne Pro Roofing Bohemians 5 HES United Seconds 4.

Women’s Eastern League: Gisborne Laundry Services Wainui Riverina 2 Campion College 1.