FOOTBALL
JOHN Stirton made a candid admission yesterday about his team’s performance against Lytton High School at the weekend.
“I stuffed it up,” the Carpet Court Thistle Massive coach said.
The damage can’t have been terminal, because Thistle won this Gisborne Championship football match 4-3.
“We usually have four at the back but I was short of a fullback so I went with a back three,” Stirton said.
“We had Liam Ryan, Stefan Faber and Shannon Dowsing there, and I thought we’d be all right. But those young guys are quick.”
Stirton shifted his son Craig — back in Gisborne long-term and enjoying his football — from central midfield to leftback, and the extra man at the back made a big difference.
Lytton, playing on their school ground, were in front at halftime and it took two quick goals midway through the second half for Thistle to gain ascendancy.
Kieran Ryan had moved from a deep midfield position to striker when an under-the-weather Nic Somerton left the field in the first half, and Chris Spurr moved from his holding midfield role to Ryan’s more forward position.
Ryan scored two and Spurr, one, and left midfielder Jake Theron grabbed the winner about 20 minutes from time.
Outstanding for Thistle were Kieran Ryan, his elder brother, central defender Liam, and defensive midfielder Matt Smith, while Craig Stirton’s versatility proved invaluable.
Lytton’s player of the day was goalkeeper Tariq Albert, who was called up from the second team as a late replacement for their regular keeper.
Travis White scored twice and fellow striker Sonny Brady, once. Both have been in good form, and have recorded a hat-trick each so far this season.
Wingers Cole Bava and Mat Hatten also shone.
Thistle Massive, Heavy Equipment Services United and Sunshine Brewery Wainui Sharks have 100 percent records, although Sharks top the league table as they have played five games — one more than United and Thistle.
On Saturday, Sharks beat Thistle Vintage 6-3 at Wainui.
Korbi Schallinger scored two goals from midfield after spending the first third of the match filling in capably as goalkeeper.
Others to score for Wainui were Ricky Boyd, Josh Cook, Diego Pedrioli — venturing from fullback into the midfield — and attacking midfielder Michael Smith.
Wainui’s best were Schallinger, midfielders Rick Kitto and Jimmy Lawrence, and keeper Leroy Shaw.
United had the bye on Saturday but their goal difference from four games is 28, from 32 goals for and four against.
The sparks will fly when any two of these top three teams meet.
In other Championship action, ShipWreck Bohemians beat QRS Wairoa Athletic 2-1 in Wairoa to reclaim the Stassen-Bosman-Gillies Cup contested by Wairoa and Bohemians on the holders’ home game.
Phill Gloistein went along as an emergency sub for the Bohs, and kept an eye on things from the sideline.
“Wairoa were all over us,” he said.
“They were so fit, and they had some great ball players.
“They were just really unlucky. They had plenty of shots. Usually they either didn’t hit the target or went straight to the goalkeeper, although Eru Rawiri made some good saves as well.
“It was a great game to watch.”
Wairoa led at halftime but Bohemians equalised when striker Steve White scored a breakaway goal.
White then scored the winner when he capitalised on a defensive lapse.
The Bohs’ best were White, centreback Caleb Craig, whose speed and strong tackling were assets at the back, and Ma Mahuika, whose composure on the ball and constructive use of it steadied the midfield.
In other Championship games, Coates Associates Wainui Demons beat Gisborne Boys’ High School (2) 8-1, and Riverina and Boys’ High (1) drew 1-1.
In the Conference competition, the three games ended in emphatic wins to Smash Palace Shockers, ITM Thistle and Three Rivers Medical Bohemians.
In women’s football, Gisborne Laundry Services Riverina lead the competition by three points from Heavy Equipment Services United, who have a game in hand. Both sides are unbeaten.