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FOOTBALL
Only four teams still have a chance of winning football’s Pacific Premiership title for 2019.
Gisborne sides United and Thistle fill the top two places, and if results roll their way this weekend, the number of contenders could be down to three with just two more games to play.
Competition leaders Heavy Equipment Services Gisborne United are at home against mid-table side Havelock North Wanderers Reserves, who will be playing their final game of the season at Harry Barker Reserve tomorrow.
In the corresponding fixture last season, United beat Wanderers 5-2.
Second-placed Gisborne Vehicle Testing Thistle will take on second-bottom side and 2018 champions Napier City Rovers Reserves at Childers Road Reserve.
In last year’s title-winning run, City Rovers lost only once, and that was to Thistle, 1-0 in Gisborne.
With the red-hot form Thistle are in at the moment and City Rovers’ record this year, goals could be plentiful tomorrow.
Third-placed Eskview United and fourth-placed Taradale play each other at Eskview’s home ground, Petane Park.
If United, Thistle and Eskview win tomorrow, it will be a three-horse race with two games to go.
United player-coach Corey Adams knows his side cannot afford to drop any points.
The sides drew 4-4 when they met in Havelock, so United are keen to make up for those two lost points — the difference between a win and a draw.
Adams has a full squad to choose from. United are strong all over the pitch and have healthy competition for starting places.
As this will be United’s last home game this season, it will be the last time the Challenge Cup is up for grabs. If United can hold off Maycenvale, the cup will stay in Gisborne for the summer.
“We have a huge month ahead and we’ll be doing everything we can not to drop any points,” Adams said.
Thistle head coach Garrett Blair also has healthy competition for places.
He will be looking to make the most of the talents of in-form striker Davie Ure, who will have a feature role in Thistle’s line-up.
Blair is hoping that midfielder Max Logan is available for selection; otherwise it looks pretty much business as usual for a starting line-up that almost picks itself.
Blair wants his side to dominate the way they did against Port Hill two weeks ago — dominate possession, create chances and be clinical in front of goal.
Both games kick off at 2.30pm.