McVey and Logan shine for Jags

SKIPPING THROUGH: Gisborne Thistle’s Max Logan leaves Napier Marist players sprawled in his wake as he strides through the middle of the park in Thistle’s 6-0 Pacific Premiership win at Childers Road Reserve on Saturday. Logan and Matt McVey were co-winners of the player-of-the-day award for Thistle. Picture by Liam Clayton

A goalscorer and a goal creator were Gisborne Thistle players of the day against Napier Marist Reserves on Saturday.

Matt McVey scored a hat-trick and Max Logan was instrumental in four of the goals in Gisborne Vehicle Testing Thistle’s 6-0 win at Childers Road Reserve.

McVey and Logan were co-winners of the player-of-the-day award for their efforts in a game where Thistle could have scored 12, such was their dominance.

With some players away and others not fit, coach Garrett Blair had to change his system of play to suit the players he had.

He played a 4-2-3-1 formation — four at the back, two holding midfielders, three attacking midfielders and a striker up front relying on support from midfield.

McVey became the third Thistle player in five games to score a hat-trick, while Logan — in addition to his goal-creating efforts — hit the crossbar twice from over 30 metres.

The other scorers for Thistle were Englishman Liam McMenamy, who scored from a goalmouth scramble; on-leave US football scholarship recipient George Andrew, who headed home from a Logan corner; and Chilean defender Emerson Araya, who also scored from a Logan corner to complete the rout.

It was entertaining fare for an appreciative band of Jags spectators.

Referee Chris Niven had a sound match. He played advantage to good effect, allowing the game to flow freely.

Blair was happy with the result. He knew Marist had youth and speed, with some experienced campaigners at the back.

“We stuck to our game plan, and achieved a fantastic team performance,” he said.

“George Andrew and Jay Matthews instantly clicked as a defensive unit and were a big part of the reason we kept a clean sheet.”

Hastings Hibernian lost by default to Gisborne Heavy Equipment Services United, who were awarded a 3-0 win.

United play Eltham, of Taranaki, in the Federation Cup at Palmerston North on Saturday, while Thistle’s Pacific Premiership side get the weekend off. However, Carpet Court Thistle Massive, who play in the local Championship, take on Napier City Rovers Seconds at Childers Road Reserve, also in the Federation Cup — a knockout competition for teams not competing in the Chatham Cup.