Sharks, United set early pace

Wainui Sharks and Gisborne United Premiers look to be the teams to beat after Day 1 of local football’s Eastern League 1 competition.

Jack Tobin scored four and fellow strikers Jaiden Ibbetson and Jake Theron scored one each as 1st Class Decorators Wainui Sharks beat Thistle Youth 6-0. It was 4-0 at halftime.

Holding midfielder Connor Findlay was Sharks’ man of the match.

Thistle Youth coach Matt Harvey was grateful for the matchday help of first-team player Ander Batarrita in a holding midfield role and the longer-term commitment of Shannon Dowsing at the heart of the defence.

Youngsters to shine were centreback Daniel Walters, goalkeeper Aiden Armstrong and three Nepalese visitors working in Gisborne kitchens — midfielder Pukar Shahi, keeper or striker Dipesh Subedi and defender Rhajeev Ghmire.

Heavy Equipment Services Gisborne United Premiers beat United Firsts 5-2. The Prems goals came from left-winger Malcolm Marfell, central midfielders Corey Adams (2), and Dane Thompson, and a Firsts defender. Thompson scored his goal from 25 metres out.

Newcomers Jacob Adams, 14, and John Curle did well for the Prems as right winger and leftback respectively.

Striker Aubrey Yates and midfielder Jim Holden scored for the Firsts.

Sunshine Brewing Wainui Salty Dogs beat Tatapouri Bohemians 2-1.

Wainui led 1-0 at halftime through evergreen striker Ricky Boyd.

Bohemians struck back in the 51st minute through converted defender Matt Barratt, but Wainui midfielder Jono Andrew scored the winner.

Veteran midfielder Greg Judd turned in a man-of-the-match performance at rightback for Wainui.

In Division 2, Smash Palace Shockers beat United Thirds 10-1, QRS Wairoa Athletic beat Ngatapa Silkies 7-2 in Wairoa, and United Seconds beat Gizzy Bobcat Services Thistle 3-2.