Thistle's hopes hang by a thread

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

GISBORNE Thistle’s title hopes hang by a thread after a 5-3 loss to Massey University in Central Federation League football in Palmerston North on Saturday.

Thistle not only gave up a three-goal lead but finished the game with nine players after Malcolm Marfell and Cullen Spawforth were sent off.

Thistle scored three goals in eight minutes through striker Corey Adams, left-winger Marfell and central midfielder Jarom Brouwer, and were cruising 20 minutes into the game.

Then in the 30th minute they lost the in-form Adams with a knee injury, and the home side took advantage with a goal before halftime.

“We were in control at that stage,” said Thistle coach Fred Robertson, who was forced to make two late changes. Kieran Higham (sweeper), pulled out through work commitments and then Mark Baple (goalkeeper) injured himself in the warm-up.

“Cullen Spawforth came in for Kieran and PJ Goodlett took over from Mark. Unfortunately we lost Marfell after he swore at the referee two minutes into the second half and before we could reorganise, Massey hit us with three goals to lead 4-3.

“Things got worse when Cullen was sent off for a second yellow card, for a tackle from behind, and Massey sealed the win with a fifth goal.”

The loss has put a huge dent in Thistle’s title aspirations. A win would have kept the pressure on league leaders Taranaki, who have yet to play Thistle at Childers Road Reserve, but the Jags now trail Taranaki by seven points with six games to go.

Robertson will also be without Marfell and Spawforth, but he hopes to have Higham and Ander Batarrita available.

“The big sweat will be on Corey,” Robertson said.

“He’s had the knee injury for a few weeks but was always able to play on with it but he had no choice but to come off at the weekend.

“Fingers crossed, he’ll be OK. We really missed him at the weekend.”

Robertson said Goodlett had no chance with any of the goals, while Thistle man of the match Liam Ryan, at rightback, and centrebacks Kieran Venema and Mal Scammell did not deserve to be on the losing team.

Other results: Wanganui 3 Taranaki 9, Port Hill United 2 Red Sox Manawatu 2.