Not that he will take Massey lightly. In Gisborne, they were a well-drilled, fit, competitive side who conceded goals only from a penalty and a free kick, both taken by skipper Kieran Venema.
While Massey have only three points from three draws and seven losses, their goals-for total is 15, just one less than Thistle’s, and their goals-against total is 33, the same as the team immediately above them (Red Sox Manawatu) and eight more than Thistle’s. On home turf, they will be feisty.
In-form centrebackThistle’s in-form centreback Ander Batarrita is unavailable for this match. Defender Liam Ryan and goalkeeper Ryan Majstrovic were under midweek injury clouds but were OK at training last night and are expected to play.
Hastings has a choice of able replacements for Batarrita, but is mindful of the pressure on Thistle’s Eastern League strength. Nevertheless, he hopes to have at least three substitutes, including himself if necessary.
Complicating matters for all Federation League clubs is the uncertainty over the remainder of the season.
Initially the league was to be contested over three rounds, giving 18 games to each team.
With the winning team to go into a playoff against the winners of the Capital Federation League, a two-round 10-team competition, Capital Football representatives were concerned their team would have several weeks without a competitive game before the playoff.
That led to efforts to bring the Central Federation League into line with the Capital Football season.
Two games — including Thistle’s fixture against New Plymouth Rangers two weeks ago — were given a value of six points for a win to ensure teams had the opportunity for the same number of points.
A proposal for a top-four competition in August also gained traction, but Hastings says the situation is unclear.
“At this stage we have a bye next weekend, and players have started to make arrangements outside football,” he said.
“Now it seems we could be playing next weekend, which makes it difficult for the club and the players.”
Hastings said the wet weather had made the past few weeks of training frustrating.
“The week before last, we trained indoors. On Tuesday last week we were indoors. On Thursday we didn’t train because of the weather and the state of the pitch.
“This Tuesday was the first night we had trained on the grass in about three weeks. Tuesdays are about building fitness.
“Thursday nights are where we like to build game plans, and this week we had our first Thursday night on the grass in weeks.”
