Vintage got off to a sprint start, scoring in the first five minutes. They were 4-1 up after 30 minutes, the Firsts having hit back to make it 3-1 before Vintage extended their lead again.
About 10 minutes into the second half, the Firsts closed it to 4-2, and they were playing with more vigour than in the first spell.
Midway through the half, though, Vintage put the seal on their performance with a fifth goal, and then it was a case of riding out the storm.
Ostensibly a team of elder footballing statesmen with a touch of class, Vintage also have a touch of terrier in their make-up.
Dave Watson is a delight to watch on the ball, and he’ll fight tooth and nail not to be knocked off it. And David Raggett is still churning up the miles in midfield, contesting any challenge within range.
Watson has played most of his football in midfield but can also make a difference at the back or up front. On Saturday, he and Neil Hansen formed a twin striking spearhead that produced four goals – two each.
Player-coach Geoff Griffin said all four of those goals were manufactured largely by the interplay between the front-runners.
Stefan Faber, who combined well with Raggett in central midfield, scored from the penalty spot.
Roger Faber, now in his 60s, and Griffin were double centrebacks in a defence that handled most of what was thrown at them.
Thistle Firsts coach Craig Stirton said his side might have taken things for granted early in the game. “We weren’t switched on.”
Once the team adjusted to Vintage’s onslaught, goalkeeper Raymond Rickard, leftback Te Kani Wirepa-Hei, central midfielder Noy Paull, flank player Xavier Priestly and striker Alex Shanks stood out in the Firsts’ effort. Lucien Nickerson and Shanks scored the goals.
Coates Associates Wainui Demons beat Thistle Youth 4-2, thanks to goals from right-winger Manaaki Terekia, central midfielder Mark Harris, and strikers Max Harris and Kaleb Jacobs. Mark Harris’s goal required a touch of valour. Yannis Kokkosis didn’t bother with subtlety when he took a right-wing corner. He belted it, and Harris volunteered to head it, from six metres out. The goalkeeper had no time to move.
Ben Inder was Demons’ man of the match and got the strip to wash as his reward. Matt Tong did well for his first game of the season, Jarom Brouwer was a powerhouse in midfield after being unavailable the previous week – he had to do some washing, Kokkosis said – and John Hill played in goal with a sore shoulder.
For Thistle youth, Logan Scanlan and Travis White scored the goals, and Jakeb Te Kani-Brown was man of the match.
Eastern League 1: Thistle Vintage 5 Property Brokers Thistle Firsts 2, Thistle Youth 2 Coates Associates Wainui Demons 4, 1st Class Decorators Wainui Salty Dogs 1 Sunshine Brewing Wainui Sharks 9.
Eastern League 2: HES United Thirds 0 High School Old Boys 5, HES United Seconds 0 Smash Palace Shockers 2, Tatapouri Bohemians 4 Neighbourhood Pizzeria Wainui Sandbar 0, Tumu Thistle 2 QRS Wairoa Athletic 1.
Women’s League: Gisborne Laundry Services Wainui Riverina 7 Bohemians 2.
