Jags, United set for derby drama

Dane Thompson. Picture by Liam Clayton

Tomorrow is derby day — Thistle and United, two sides who once combined forces in Team Gisborne, now take the field as opponents in the Pacific Premiership.

Heavy Equipment Services United come off a sensational first-round 9-1 home win against last year’s champions Napier City Rovers Reserves.

Gisborne Vehicle Testing Station Thistle, on the other hand, lost 1-0 to Maycenvale in a match where on any other day they might have scored three or four.

Tomorrow’s game at Childers Road Reserve is a home fixture for Thistle, but both teams will be heavily supported.

Thistle coach Garrett Blair said the teams’ rivalry was left on the field.

“We can share a beer in the clubrooms after,” he said.

“It’s a healthy rivalry. It’s great that the region can produce two teams capable of doing well in this league, and that we are also starting to attract players from outside the region. That will also grow the player base and quality.”

United player-coach Corey Adams said both sides looked forward to the derby.

“We both want those three points,” he said.

“In this league, anything can happen but my boys are up for it and relishing the challenge.”

Both sides have trained well in pre-season and in the past two weeks.

Some of the United players have been hit with the flu this week and training was hard for them. That might yet affect their starting line-up.

Thistle will be without Brad Reynolds and Sam Hogan, who are both away, and bring in Hector Araya.

They also have a clearance from New Zealand Football for Fabio Senna, a skilful central midfielder.

Last season’s corresponding fixture ended in a 2-2 draw.