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GISBORNE United player-coach Corey Adams is backing his side to bounce back from last week’s Pacific Premiership loss to Napier City Rovers Seconds when they play Napier Marist at Harry Barker Reserve at 2.30pm tomorrow.
“The boys were gutted last week but are determined to get our title hopes back on track this weekend,” said Adams, whose team are third on the table.
“I think we have one of the strongest teams in the competition and it’s our first game at home after three away matches . . . it’s great to be at home.
“But Marist (who drew 1-1 with Gisborne Thistle at Childers Road Reserve two week’s ago) are only two points behind us on the table so it won’t be easy.
“They will also have the guy who got sent off against Thistle (centreback Jonty Underhill) back.
“We need to cut out the mistakes that cost us the game last week.”
Adams has strengthened his squad with the signing of former United player Israel Whitley.
“Izzy’s working in Hawke’s Bay but he’s got an apartment here and, even though he’s not available this week, he’s keen to play whenever he can,
“He’s a good player and a good addition to the squad.
“I’m also hoping to have some of our second-team players on the bench after their game against Lytton.”
Adams, one of the best strikers in the district, is having to play second fiddle to younger brother Josh so far this season in the goalscoring race but laughed when asked if he might resort to dropping Josh into midfield.
“I don’t care who scores, as long we score and we all celebrate the goals.
“That’s one of the strenths of the club . . . we’re all mates on and off the field.”
Reigning league champions Marist, who include former Campion College student Ian Cutler, now at Lindisfarne College on a sporting scolarship, showed they were no easybeats when they drew with Thistle. They were without key players but their youngsters stepped up.
Thistle's chance to post their first win in Pacific Premiership this seasonThistle have a great opportunity to post their first win in this season’s Pacific Premiership when they host Havelock North Wanderers Seconds at Childers Road Reserve at 3pm.
The Jags, who have lost two games and drawn one so far, are eighth in the 10-team league — one point ahead of Maycenvale United and Havelock.
“Havelock’s Central League team are coming off three games in seven days, which could affect the team they bring here, but we won’t be taking them lightly,” Thistle coach Garrett Blair said.
“They’ve had some tough results so far but anyone on their day can be good.”
Thistle lost a Chatham Cup game 2-1 to North End in Palmerston North on Anzac Day but Blair was encouraged by his side’s performace.
“It’s always a tough result going down when the boys played as well as they did,” he said.
“We have to keep that momentum going into this weekend.
“Thankfully, we didn’t pull up with any knocks but the players who travelled were given a rest last night while the non-travellers trained with our reserves.
“We’ll have a light session before deciding on the team for tomorrow.”
Blair said he would stick with the core of the team who were knocked out of the cup.
“Max Logan, Brad Reynolds, Emerson Araya and Shannon Dowsing, who all helped us out, are not available.”
Tomorrow will be a festival of football for the club at Childers Road Reserve.
Thistle Massive play QRS Wairoa Athletic in Eastern League Division 1 at 2.30pm, Vintage Thistle play Gisborne Boys’ High School (2) in Division 2 at 12.30pm and ITM Thistle play Three Rivers Medical Bohemians in Division 3 at 12.30pm.