Thistle one goal short

NO WAY THROUGH: Thistle winger Justo Rodriguez (left) shields the ball from United centreback Mal Scammell. Pictures by Liam Clayton

Gisborne Thistle had just beaten fierce rivals Gisborne United 3-1, yet some of their players were almost inconsolable.

They had finished their Pacific Premiership campaign one goal shy of the league title.

Napier side Port Hill United are the 2020 champions . . . because they scored one goal more than Thistle.

The Jags had conceded one goal less, but where teams are tied on points and goal difference, the goals-for tally decides the finishing order.

Thistle’s ambitions to play at a higher level — the Federation League is the next one up — do them credit. But if the Pacific Premiership is to be the spectators’ lot, two Thistle-United derbies will be something to look forward to.

Saturday’s game at Childers Road Reserve had just about everything — a spectacular goal, two penalties, a player from either side sent off, skilful play, crunching tackles and enough niggle to be interesting.

And for the second year running, United thwarted Thistle’s title bid. Last year United clinched the premiership with a last-minute goal in Hawke’s Bay.

But regardless of any local rivalry, all teams are honour-bound to give of their best in every game . . . to ensure the integrity of the competition.

Thistle started the game knowing they needed a three-goal winning margin to be sure of the title. A two-goal margin would be good enough only if they scored five goals or more.

They started smartly. In the third minute, Thistle right-winger Brandon Josling fed striker Davie Ure, whose snappily taken shot missed the target but hit the stanchion.

United had their first serious shot five minutes later, Josh Adams firing high.

Alongside Adams was Stu Cranswick, playing his second full game of the day.

Thistle had a back four in front of reliable goalkeeper Mark Baple. Daniel Venema and Ander Batarrita generally stayed central, policing United’s front two, while rightback Emerson Araya and leftback Kuba Jerabek spent almost as much time on attack as on defence.

Ema Martos had the holding midfield role and was particularly effective at snaffling possession from United players advancing on the Jags’ back four. He and skipper Nick Land had an absorbing running battle with United midfielders Josh Harris and Jarom Brouwer.

Tomek Frooms had licence to roam free for the Jags, while Kieran Venema was United’s holding midfielder, there to slow down any incursion into his team’s defensive third.

The contest out wide was fascinating, too. In Malcolm Marfell on the left and Campbell Hall on the right, United had fast, fit and combative workers. They tested their opposing fullbacks and tracked back on defence.

Thistle had Josling on the right and Justo Rodriguez on the left. They worked with Ure to ensure United centrebacks Mal Scammell and Dane Thompson and sweeper Kieran Higham never had a moment’s peace.

Rodriguez ranged right across the forward line, worrying and frustrating defenders in equal measure. He attracted some heavy treatment, but Napier referee Martin Roil booked him in the second half for making too much of one clash.

Frooms, too, got under the skin of defenders, and the first-half yellow card shown to Hall followed a rash challenge on the Thistle marauder.

Also in the first half, Jerabek was booked for a heavy challenge on United livewire Harris as he threatened to burst into the Jags’ penalty area.

Young United goalkeeper Seth Piper impressed throughout this match. His handling of the high ball was safe and he made several outstanding reaction saves.

However, he could do nothing with the opening goal. In the 41st minute, Land started the move in the middle of the United half and continued his run into the penalty area. He was not needed, though. The ball had gone out to Josling on the right. He cut in and let fly from 25 metres with a right-foot thunderbolt into the far corner of the goal.

Two minutes earlier, Ure had hit the underside of the bar with a shot and Rodriguez had hit the rebound over the bar. Josling’s goal so soon after would have eased their disappointment.

In the 42nd minute, United skipper Kieran Venema was yellow-carded for dissent and sidelined for 10 minutes.

Two minutes into the second half, Jerabek made a foray upfield, the ball broke free and he committed himself to a heavy tackle. Referee Roil judged it to be a yellow-card challenge, the second for Jerabek, and he was sent off.

In the 50th minute, a penalty was awarded for a foul near the edge of the United penalty area. Ander Batarrita coolly placed it for Thistle to go 2-0 up.

With Kieran Venema back on the field, it was hard to imagine Thistle getting the goals they needed.

The Jags were still going forward but United were dangerous on the counter-attack. In the 52nd minute, Josh Adams got clear in the penalty area but was forced on to his right foot. Turns out that’s not bad, either, and Baple had to look smart to turn the ball past the post.

In the 53rd, Martos fed Ure, who took a touch and drew a full-length diving save by Piper. Two minutes later, Ure was yellow-carded for clipping a defender’s heels.

Adams and Cranswick looked threatening on the break as Thistle continued to push forward, though a man down.

In the 60th, Araya was booked for bumping off Adams just outside the penalty area.

With Kieran Venema on the free-kick, Baple had to allow for the possibility of a near-post shot. When Venema sent the ball beyond the far post, Baple had too much ground to cover in a crowded goalmouth, and Brouwer’s header sneaked in through a forest of legs.

Martos was yellow-carded for a challenge, and then Araya, in the 65th minute, was replaced by midfielder Agustin Ventre. Josling moved to rightback.

In the 66th, Batarrita crossed from the left and Ure’s header was cleared by Higham. Moments later, Ventre’s shot skimmed the top of the crossbar.

Cranswick was booked in the 73rd minute for a heavy challenge on Rodriguez, and Campbell was shown the yellow card for the second time — and immediately a red card — for the second-penalty incident.

Batarrita again stepped up and scored without fuss.

It was now 10 versus 10. Rodriguez got his caution for laying it on a bit thick and, in the 83rd, Ventre skimmed the top of the crossbar again, this time from 30 metres.

Ashley McMillan came on for Martos as play continued going from end to end.

Cranswick, in his 175th minute of football for the day, got clear on the right and shot just over the bar.

He was still running in his 180th minute of play, when Daniel Venema took him down just outside the penalty area and was shown the yellow card.

When the match ended, no one was jubilant, although one United player allowed himself a double fist-pump.

Thistle player-coach Garrett Blair said he thought the first sending-off worked in Thistle’s favour.

“Because we were so defensively sound, we were able to recover the ball and drive forward,” he said.

“That’s where we were really effective.”

It was a bitter-sweet situation.

“If we had scored more goals through the season, it would be a different feeling. The lads could have easily dropped their heads once we lost Kuba, but they rallied together and fought.

“I think we’re going to keep the core of the squad and the boys are keen to have another crack next year.”

United coach Corey Adams paid tribute to the desire shown by Thistle.

It was a good game that could have gone either way, he said. Chances created, good saves and luck all played a part.

He said he had a question mark over coaching next year. His focus was to complete his recovery from knee surgery and resume playing.