Spot in final at stake

JUST OVER: Gisborne United striker Stu Cranswick gets his head to the ball before Thistle goalkeeper Mark Baple’s fist arrives in a Pacific Premiership game last season. The ball went just over. Cranswick is in the squad for United’s Federation Cup game against Wanganui City at Harry Barker Reserve tomorrow. File picture by Paul Rickard

A place in the Federation Cup final is at stake when Gisborne United play Wanganui City at Harry Barker Reserve at 2pm tomorrow.

Heavy Equipment Services Gisborne United clinched the Pacific Premiership title with a last-minute 3-2 victory over Eskview in Hawke’s Bay last Satuday.

And they keep hold of the Challenge Cup for a second summer after completing their league programme unbeaten at home.

Victory against Federation League mid-table side Wanganui City would put them one step away from achieving a notable treble — league, challenge trophy and federation knockout cup.

Chris and Molly Adams — parents of premiership player-coach Corey Adams — coach and manage the Federation Cup team.

Three players from the club’s Gisborne Championship side — striker Stu Cranswick, defensive midfielder Aaron Graham and centreback Jonathan Purcell — join 13 members of the premiership squad for the Federation Cup game tomorrow.

“The boys are still on a buzz from winning the league,” coach Chris Adams said at training last night.

“Now we need to switch back on . . . a place in the Fed Cup final is at stake.”

United beat Eskview 4-2 to make the semifinal and Wanganui City beat Hastings Western Rangers 2-1.

United are the only Pacific Premiership side left in the competition. The other three teams in the semifinals all play one level higher in the Federation League.

In the other semifinal, Massey University play Palmerston North rivals Hokowhitu.

The final will be on Saturday, September 14 at a venue to be confirmed.

• Gisborne United Pacific Premiership goalkeeper Jack Faulkner, 17, has been included in the 23-man under-19 Hawke’s Bay squad for 2019.

• CURTAIN-RAISER to the Federation Cup semifinal is the Braybrook Cup final for women’s teams.

Heavy Equipment Services Gisborne United play Gisborne Laundry Services Riverina at Harry Barker Reserve at 11.30am.

United coach Molly Adams has a side with class all over the park, but they will miss experienced players Tessa McDonald and Taryn Walford, who are unavailable.

Key players in the United side are strikers Chelsea Simpson and Jamie Gedye, midfielder and captain Sarah Graham, defensive utility player Rubi Perano and experienced goalkeeper Mel Knight.

Riverina have been hit by injuries. Team captain and coach Lizzie Hall has lost four key players for the final — goalkeeper Kristy Roa (back injury), utility player Erin Sycamore (injured), midfield playmaker Larisa Mahns (overseas with family) and utility forward Tryn Lolohea (out of the country).

In the semifinals, United beat Gisborne Girls’ High School 4-1 and Riverina beat Marist Thistle 9-1.