Even this early in the season, Thistle and United seem to be operating at a slightly higher level than their Hawke’s Bay opponents . . . enough to make a difference, but not enough to allow them to slacken off.
Last year United wrested a slender points lead from Thistle and clung to it till the end. This season is shaping up to be another war of attrition.
Within this contest, the derbies at either Childers Road Reserve or Harry Barker Reserve are the highlights.
Games between these sides have always had an edge, from the time a group of players and administrators — unhappy with the way things were going at Thistle — left the Jags to form the nucleus of the Gisborne United football club. United’s first season in local competition was in 1976.
Some of those founding members returned to Thistle and became stalwarts of the Jags, and players have continued to move back and forth searching for the best chance of regular football at their preferred level.
In the meantime, United have cultivated a family atmosphere that has bred strong club spirit.
This comes to the fore in games against Thistle, where United play with a passion akin to that shown by the Queensland State of Origin rugby league team.
This passion can’t exist in a vacuum. It feeds and is fed by the competitive fire of the Thistle team, with nearly a century of history behind them and a desire to prove they are the top club on the field as well as the most solidly founded off it.
Adding fuel to the rivalry is the fact that a good few of the players on both sides will have been teammates for either Team Gisborne or Thistle, and would love to get the better of their former allies.
Ahead of tomorrow’s game, both coaches have injury worries.
United coach Corey Adams is concerned about vice-captain Josh Harris’s groin injury.
If Harris can’t play, Adams will be forced to shuffle his players, although he will want to retain the formation.
One possibility being considered is a shift for right wingback Campbell Hall into the attack to use his pace alongside that of Josh Adams.
Steven Husband or Jake Robertson could fill a defensive role should Hall move forward, while options up front include the introduction of PJ Goodlett.
Otherwise, the team will be much the same as last week.
Thistle coach Garrett Blair expects to have a largely unchanged side, although goalkeeper Mark Baple is nursing a calf injury. If he is unable to play, Gisborne Boys’ High School’s Regan Cameron is likely to be transferred over. Leftback Kuba Jerabek, hurt in a tackle, had his ribs X-rayed but no fracture was apparent.
Midfielder Ashley McMillan returns to the squad, and Argentinian defensive midfielder Ema Martos will add depth.
Blair said United had threats all over the pitch.
“We know Josh Adams is big and fast and can hit a ball.
“They are very good in all positions. It looks like they have changed their system to play more possession-based football.”
Blair put the interclub rivalry in perspective: “Off the field we’re all good mates, but on the grass it’s a different ball game.”
