Can the Youth A team outshock the Shockers?

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

Shockers Gold have taken the early lead in Eastern League first-division football but face a genuine test against Gisborne Thistle Youth A tomorrow.

A second-division team last year, Shockers have started their league campaign with two wins  —  2-1 against Coates Associates Wainui Demons and 4-2 against Sunshine Brewing Wainui Sharks.

They are two points ahead of second-placed Neighbourhood Pizzeria Wainui Sandbar, who have a win and a draw to their name.

Next are Heavy Equipment Services Gisborne United Firsts and Thistle Youth A, both on three points. United had the bye in the first round while Thistle Youth beat Sharks 4-1, then Thistle Youth had the bye while United beat C and G Plumbing High School Old Boys Black Hearts 8-0.

Thistle Youth’s fortunes on Childers Road Reserve No.2 from 2.30pm tomorrow could depend largely on who is available to play for them after standing by for the first team in their Federation League match against Palmerston North United at 12.30pm on No.1.

United play Demons at Harry Barker Reserve at 2.30pm. Demons lost to clubmates Wainui Sandbar 7-2 last week and United should have too much firepower for them.

In the other first division game tomorrow, Wainui Sandbar play Sharks at Wainui at 2.30pm. On results, Sharks are the underdogs, but games between clubmates are seldom straightforward.

High School Old Boys have the bye.

In the second division, three of the four Thistle teams in this 12-team grade fill the top three spots.

Thistle Youth B, Thistle Vintage Masters and Gizzy Bobcat Services Thistle Socials all have six points from two games, as have QRS Wairoa Athletic and HES United Seconds.

Results from last weekend:

Thistle Vintage Masters 7 Tatapouri Bohemians 0, HES United Seconds 2 CGP High School Old Boys Eels 1, Thistle Youth B 4 Shockers Green 2, GBS Thistle Socials 2 1st Class Decorators Wainui Salty Dogs 1, Wairoa Athletic 5 HSOB Sports Club 0, Versatile Thistle Social 5 Ngatapa Brandt Silkies 0.

■  In the women’s competition, three teams have six points from two games and the other three teams have none.

Gisborne Laundry Services Wainui Riverina lead on goal difference — they’ve scored 13 goals and conceded none.

Shockers and YMCA Thistle also have six points, though with more modest goal difference.

Results from last Sunday:

YMCA Thistle 4 HES United 2, Wainui Riverina 5 Bohemians 0, Shockers 6 Tatapouri Marist Thistle 1.