Different shirt, same mission... Gisborne United striker Jimmy Somerton, heads for goal in front of Gisborne Thistle defender Louis Sengelow, continued on from where he left off in last year's Eastern Premiership. Having shifted from Thistle to United, he scored six goals against his old club in their derby match at Childers Road Reserve on Saturday. Photo / Paul Rickard
Different shirt, same mission... Gisborne United striker Jimmy Somerton, heads for goal in front of Gisborne Thistle defender Louis Sengelow, continued on from where he left off in last year's Eastern Premiership. Having shifted from Thistle to United, he scored six goals against his old club in their derby match at Childers Road Reserve on Saturday. Photo / Paul Rickard
That’s about the best you can say for Gisborne Thistle after their 8-0 loss to Gisborne United at Childers Road Reserve on Saturday.
Electrinet Thistle have plenty to work on before their next game in Central Football’s Eastern Premiership, against Napier City Rovers Reserves inNapier on Saturday.
For Heavy Equipment Services United, the biggest job for coaches Blake Mulrooney and Kieran Venema will be keeping their side’s feet on the ground.
United were one goal up after three minutes, two up after five and three up after six. It was 7-0 at halftime.
Jimmy Somerton had a match tally of six goals. The golden-boot writing is on the wall if he stays fit and healthy.
United midfielder Cullen Spawforth was sent off a minute before halftime for a studs-first challenge that seemed to catch his opponent around the ankle/instep.
Spawforth had played well until then, spraying the ball nicely and scoring the third goal with a deft free-kick over the shortened wall and in at the unguarded near post.
His football heart is in the right place, but his tackling judgment and technique need to be better.
The match was more even in the second half. United were a man down and the game was as good as won.
To their credit, they didn’t gloat. Most players know what it’s like to be on the end of a hiding. And when opponents feel disrespected, the tackles can get nasty or wild or both.
United’s Mulrooney said his squad had put in a “really good” pre-season.
“What we did in pre-season enabled us to build the way we want to play,” he said. “We’re probably a lot more comfortable on the ball than we were six weeks ago.
“We’re also lucky that from 1 to 18 we have good depth in the squad.
“Our goal at the start of a game is to have no goals scored against us. The rest is a bonus.
Gisborne Thistle's Euan Cramer and Gisborne United's Campbell Hall tussle during Saturday's Eastern Premiership season-opening football game. Hall's United hit the pitch running in an 8-0 rout.
“A few of the boys were carrying knocks. Josh Harris hyperextended his knee a few weeks ago and Mal Scammell had a knee injury. Corey Adams tore a hamstring last season, but his substitution today was because he was cramping up.”
Thistle coach Tam Cramer said his side played as if they had never seen each other before.
“The first three goals were all off our mistakes,” he said. “We have plenty of work-ons, but we’re a better team than that result would suggest.”
Former Thistle striker Somerton opened the scoring from the penalty spot after three minutes.
Two minutes later, left back Malcolm Marfell scored after Jags goalkeeper Drew Churchwell made a block in a crowded goalmouth but couldn’t hold on to the ball.
After six minutes, a push in the back brought a free kick near the side of the penalty area, 25 metres out on the United left flank, Churchwell had too much faith in the wall and Spawforth scored.
In the 10th minute, Thistle left-flank raider Diego Canales went down with an injury that is worrying Cramer.
In the 20th, United right-winger Campbell Hall feinted then burst towards the byline and crossed for Somerton to score with a one-touch finish at the near post.
Somerton scored again in the 23rd, 26th and 43rd minutes.
The 10-versus-11 second half looked as if it would end scoreless, but in the 87th minute Somerton contested a long kick, got on to the loose ball and drove it past Churchwell from the edge of the box.
United were good all over the park, but it’s early days. The difference this year is they’ve got strength in numbers.
They lined up with Josh Adams in goal, a back four of Sam Royston, Mal Scammel, Kieran Higham and Malcolm Marfell, a midfield of Spawforth, Dane Thompson, Corey Adams and Josh Harris, with Somerton and Hall up front and Adams and Harris breaking forward.
Their ever-present danger up front and the speed with which they closed down Thistle possession were features of their play.
Thistle will improve once they adjust to the speed of the premiership and make opponents earn their goals. Christmas isn’t till December.
Churchwell couldn’t be judged on this game. He hadn’t much show with any of the goals and looked safe in general play.
Centre back Louis Sengelow is strong in the tackle and quick, but was penalised a few times for pushing while contesting high balls. It’ll be interesting to see how he counters that.
Defenders were often caught without cover and looked vulnerable.
Right back Nick Land was like a Big Mac. You always know what you’ll get – in his case, a good shift.
Central midfielder Luke Jarvie should do well. He competes, looks to get the ball forward and can play long or short.
And when Jonas Klessny came on for Canales, he brought a dose of physicality in both attacking and defensive left-flank roles.
The match was well controlled by referee Chris Niven, who showed the yellow card to Klessny, Euan Cramer and Sengelow.
United’s next game is a home fixture against Port Hill at Harry Barker Reserve on Good Friday.
