Women's football: Bohemians win hard-fought match

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

Tatapouri Marist Thistle played Bohemians in women’s football last Sunday in a hard-fought match that resulted in a 1-0 win to Bohemians.

Marist had to pull out all stops in defence to keep the score at just one. Morgan Andrews and Fern Jones were often dangerous for Bohemians in attack and were denied numerous times in both halves, both by the defensive efforts of Marist and the metalwork of the goal.

Marist Thistle had periods of working the ball down both wings well, holding possession to try and put a goal away down the other end but were unable to finish any of these attacks.

Marist Thistle’s Fran Simpson had a stand-out game, with some goal-saving tackles in defence.

Sommer Murrell scored the only goal of the match, Andrews in particular was unlucky not to have added to the scoresheet with some powerfully taken shots.

Thistle Marist goal-keeper Mandy Owen said her team can be very proud of their efforts, staying competitive in this game after some high scores through the season and struggling with numbers.

“Well done to our ladies for your commitment and always having a positive attitude on the field,” she said.

Campion College and Gisborne Girls High School met in the high school derby on Sunday, at the Rectory field.

GGHS raced to an early lead at the 15-minute mark, when Jade McVey dribbled through the Campion defence and scored from the edge of the box.

Campion’s attempts on goal were either just wide or saved by GGHS keeper Emerson Brownlie who was having an amazing game between the sticks.

Eventually, the goals began to come for Campion , Sofia Zame 2, Miah Somerton, Dara Mulrooney, Lucy Allen and Grace Levy all getting on the scoresheet.

Campion spokesman Blake Mulrooney said there were plenty of stand-out performances in both sides. He made special mention of GGHS Charlie Lepper and Emerson Brownlie and Campion players Bella Fitzharris and Jasmine Sparks.

The fulltime score was 6-1.

It felt like deja vu for Gisborne Laundry services Wainui Riverina with Heavy Equipment United holding them to a draw on Sunday at Harry Barker Reserve.

Goalkeeper Mel Knight said it was always a tough game against Wainui Riverina and Sunday was no different.

“Add heavy wet and slippery field conditions and we had a recipe for one of the hardest games all year,” she said.

United was quickly put under pressure from Wainui Riverina’s controlled possession and passing game, spending most of the first half repelling repeated attacks from their strikers Larissa Allan, Lizzie Hall, and Trish Hina.

Taryn Walford, Courtney Duncan, Paare Ahuriri-Leach, and Dana Kingsbeer were certainly earning their keep in the United defensive line and goal-keeper Mel Knight was called into action several times.

Wainui Riverina kept the pressure on in the second half, having multiple chances but just not able to finish.

United had a better attacking game in the second half. Kim-Maree Larby, Amelia Paull, Amy Burgess, and Tess McDonald did their best to feed Chelsea Simpson who was alone up front.

United’s best chance came from a corner but no one was able to get on the end of it.

Wainui Riverina midfielder Amoe Tarsau had a strong game in the middle of the park, first to the ball on many occasions.

Her teammate Maria Waide worked tirelessly making lots of ground getting up and down the right wing.

United’s Annabel Reeves came on at center back and had an absolute blinder keeping the Riverina strikers away from goal.

Wainui Riverina were given a chance when Duncan fouled Rosa Evans in the box resulting in a penalty. Evans’s attempt went wide off the post.

The game went the distance with United managing to hold on to the draw, in what was a very entertaining game of football for the spectators.