United give table-toppers HSOB a fright

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

High School Old Boys remain undefeated but were tested by Gisborne United Seconds in Eastern League 2 football at Harry Barker Reserve on Saturday.

Goals by left-winger Jack Adams in the 25th minute and striker William Garrett in the 60th gave HSOB a 2-1 win.

Right-winger Remus Takoko scored for Heavy Equipment Services United Seconds in the 30th minute to make the halftime score 1-1.

United are second-bottom in the 10-team league but on Saturday were given a huge boost by first-team regulars Josh Adams up front and Kieran Higham at the back.

All first-division Eastern League games were postponed on Saturday.

Higham was outstanding in the middle of the United defence, while Josh Adams gave the HSOB rearguard plenty of anxious moments as he roamed around the frontline trying to find space.

United were also particularly well served by Ollie Purcell in central midfield.

High School Old Boys’ best were man of the match Dylan Goldsmith and rightback Kerryn Pegram. Goldsmith has battled injuries most of the season but on Saturday he, fellow centreback Matt McFatter and Pegram combined to make it hard for Josh Adams to find shootinjg room.

And when Adams did find space, HSOB managed to get a body or a boot close enough to block the shot.

Takoko took his goal well, hitting the ball hard and low from 25 metres.

Garrett’s winner in the second half came when he pounced on a rebound from the United goalkeeper, meeting the ball on the edge of the penalty area and making ground before finishing well.

Cody Keepa had another good game in goal for HSOB, and the length of his kicking from the hands gave his team a boost on attack.

Gizzy Bobcat Services Thistle and Neighbourhood Pizzeria Wainui Sandbar both deserved the point they took from their 1-1 draw.

Thistle took the lead five minutes in, when Nic Somerton picked his spot from 10 metres. Yannis Kokkosis, helping out Wainui because the Demons had no game, equalised in the 20th minute.

He took a free-kick, the ball hit the defensive wall and bounced back, and Kokkosis hit it on the volley into the top left-hand corner of the goal.

Wainui centreback George Zame continues to impress in his first year with the team.

“He’s young, fit and does what he’s told,” said John Hill, who calls the shots at the back for Wainui.

Hill was also impressed with Ma Mahuika in central midfield.

Hill said Wainui missed some early chances and Thistle missed a few in the second half, so a draw was about right.

Eastern League 2: Heavy Equipment Services Gisborne United 1 High School Old Boys 2, Gizzy Bobcat Services Thistle 1 Neighbourhood Pizzeria Wainui Sandbar 1, Smash Palace Shockers 4 QRS Wairoa Athletic 2, Tumu Thistle 1 Ngatapa Brandt Silkies 3.

Women’s Eastern League: Tatapouri Marist Thistle 0 Campion College 3, Gisborne Laundry Services Wainui Riverina 5 Gisborne Girls’ High School 1.