Gisborne football match referee incident results in Wainui sanctions

Gisborne club Wainui have been sanctioned after an incident-filled Eastern League football game that was called off early by the referee.

Central Football has issued sanctions “in accordance with the New Zealand Football disciplinary code” in relation to the abandoned game between Gisborne United and a Wainui side last Saturday.

Chief operations manager Donald Piper said those sanctions were between the Wainui club and players, and the federation, and he would not like to comment further.

Of the three Wainui players sent off, he said: “I am not prepared to name names. I don’t think it is fair. We have a responsibility to the players as well. I believe naming and shaming them is unfair in a small community.”

He said Central Football took the matter “very seriously” and had issued the sanctions after conducting a thorough review.

“We believe this sends a firm message and [they] are appropriate.”

He said Central Football was delighted with the outpouring of support shown by the Gisborne football fraternity for the match official.

The match result – 2-1 to United – would stand as the game was deemed to have been completed by passing the 60th minute.

The sanctions would not stop either team from playing tomorrow. Neighborhood Pizzeria Wainui Sandbar play C&G Plumbing High School Old Boys at Wainui at 2.45pm. Heavy Equipment Services United have the bye.

Eastern League football

Old footballers never die; they just go down the grades.

Gizzy Bobcat Services Thistle coach John Stirton knows this and has fashioned a team who in their heyday could have held their own in Central Football’s Federation League.

But those days are long past, and nowadays they grace the No 2 grounds, whereas once they would have been centre stage on No 1. They’re unbeaten at the top of the Eastern League Division 2 table, though.

Last Saturday they were run close by a fit and determined QRS Wairoa Athletic side, who snatched a draw in the last 90 seconds of the match on Childers Road Reserve No 2.

A 5-5 draw leaves their league positions unchanged. Stirton’s Jags have 19 points from six wins and a draw. Wairoa have 17 from five wins and two draws.

Smash Palace Shockers Green are a point further back with 16 from five wins, a draw and a loss. They solidified their position with a 9-3 victory over Tatapouri Bohemians on Saturday.

Thistle looked in danger of losing their unbeaten record when they trailed Wairoa 3-2 at halftime. But two penalties – a retaken effort by striker Dave Watson and a netbuster from attacking midfielder Brad Reynolds – put them 4-3 up. Then it was 5-3, before Wairoa came roaring back to score twice to snag a share of the points.

Scorers for Thistle were Watson (two), left midfielder Neil Hansen (two) and Reynolds.

Stirton said they were a few short and had only three substitutes. Player of the day was centreback Vaughn Schaumkel.

“Wairoa are a good side,” Stirton said.

“They’re very fit and go a hundred miles an hour.”

Among the players at Stirton’s disposal are Hayden Beale, Glen Udall, Jason Scott, Kane Stirton, Phill Gill, Michael Rogers, brothers Zane and Zac Destounis, Reynolds, Hansen and Watson. They’re a handy line-up and, while three are not yet in the veteran category and some were unavailable last weekend, they make up a squad that would be the envy of the grade.

Other results –

Eastern League, Division 1: Gisborne Thistle Youth A 2 Coates Associates Wainui Demons 3, Smash Palace Shockers Gold 1 C & G Plumbing HSOB Black Hearts 0, Neighborhood Pizzeria Wainui Sandbar 1 Heavy Equipment Services Gisborne United 2.

Division 2: Ngatapa Brandt Silkies 1 HSOB Sports Club 1, Versatile Thistle 3 Thistle Youth B 1, 1st Class Decorators Wainui Salty Dogs 1 CGP HSOB Eels 0, Thistles Vintage-Masters 5 HES United Seconds 1.

Women: YMCA Thistle 3 HES United 0, Tatapouri Marist Thistle 0 SP Shockers 10, Bohemians 2 Gisborne Laundry Services Wainui Riverina 5.