United win top-of-the-table clash in Eastern League women’s football

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

UNITED beat Riverina 2-0 in a top-of-the-table clash in Eastern League women's football at Harry Barker Reserve on Sunday.

Riverina were stunned by a United goal three minutes in. A long, looping throw-in from right winger Kayley Knight bounced over one defender and was head-flicked over the goalkeeper into the net by Karen McDonald.

Twenty minutes later, Jamie Gedye beat the last defender to a bouncing through ball and placed it past the keeper.

Riverina spent the rest of the first half on attack. Aided by a strong tail wind, they laid siege to the United goalmouth, peppering it with shots from near and far, and forcing a string of heroic saves from keeper Mel Knight. A two-fisted punched clearance just before halftime was especially impressive.

Riverina had scoring chances in the second half, but United had more possession and looked more dangerous.

In the 67th minute, Riverina keeper Erin Sycamore made a scrambling save to stop Jamie Gedye scoring again from a breakaway, and — in the 79th — Chelsea Simpson's header from a corner was cleared off the Riverina line.

The final score was a reversal of the scoreline from the teams' last meeting.

Gisborne Laundry Services Riverina still lead the competition with 30 points, but Heavy Equipment Services United have closed the gap to three points and have a game in hand.

The teams are scheduled to meet again on October 4.

In the other game, fourth-placed Bohemians beat third-placed Campion College 3-1. Bohemians are now two points behind Campion, but the students have a game in hand.

The game between Gisborne Girls' High School and Tatapouri Marist Thistle was postponed.