Wainui had their tails up and pressed for all they were worth, but HSOB were desperate to hang on.
Tackles flew in from further and further out, until referee Ian Sambrook showed some yellow cards and told the teams not to do anything stupid that would lead to a red card and leave them a man down in the last 10 minutes.
The game, on the Harry Barker Reserve No.2 pitch, had been played in good, competitive spirit and it had returned to that state by the closing stages.
Netusil, a HSOB acquisition from Thistle and originally from the Czech Republic, was his team’s man of the match.
Not far behind in his impact on the game was central midfielder Matt Miller.
Matt McFatter, HSOB co-coach with Kerryn Pegram, said that after their debut year in the second division in 2023, the players were looking forward to playing against new teams and new players.
“We’re not here expecting miracles; we’re just here to play football,” he said.
Wainui coach Craig Stirton said his team had a lot of possession but in the first half just couldn’t hit the back of the net.
“The boys know what’s happening at training on Thursday,” he said.
“I couldn’t fault anyone. We’ve got a lot of South Americans in the team, so we’re strong in midfield and in attack.
“Our man of the match was holding midfielder, Danny Vallejo, while Lucas Nickerson, Alex Larkins and Noy Paull also did well.
“Lucas played up front in the first half and at centreback in the second, Alex played centreback and Noy started at centreback, then did really well on the left wing.”
Stirton said Matias Pincini came on at halftime and helped change the game.
In other first division games, Shockers Gold celebrated their move into the top local ranks by beating Coates Associates Wainui Demons 2-1, and Thistle Youth A beat Sunshine Brewing Wainui Sharks 4-1.
Heavy Equipment Services Gisborne United had the bye.
In Division 2, HES United Seconds beat Tatapouri Bohemians 5-1, Thistle Youth B beat HSOB Sports Club 9-1, Thistle Vintage Masters beat 1st Class Decorators Wainui Salty Dogs 2-1, Shockers Green beat Versatile Thistle 1-0, Gizzy Bobcat Services Thistle beat Ngātapa Brandt Silkies 6-0, and QRS Wairoa Athletic beat HSOB Campion 4-2.
In Eastern League women’s competition on Sunday, Gisborne Laundry Services Wainui Riverina beat United 8-0.
Wainui player-coach Lizzie Hall opened the scoring in the sixth minute, and striker Larisa Allan scored the next four goals, one of them off a left-foot volley.
Vice-captain Manaia Mill got on the scoresheet with a shot that deflected off a United defender to wrong-foot the keeper.
Catherine Walker scored in the 79th minute, and Harriet Jefferies scored on her Wainui Riverina debut after an earlier effort was disallowed for a foul on the ’keeper.
Hall gave Mill the player-of-the-day honours.
“She was pumping in the engine room, and supplying lots of ball to everyone,” Hall said.
Riverina next play Bohemians at Wainui on Sunday.
The game will count for both the league and the Hall Family Charity Shield, that match having being postponed.
United are a welcome return after being without a team in the women’s competition last year.
On Saturday, goalkeeper Paare Ahuriri-Leach had an awesome game, saving a lot of shots, while Sarah Graham was solid at the back.
Other women’s results were YMCA Thistle 4 Tatapouri Marist Thistle 0, Shockers 3 Bohemians 1.
— Women’s match report provided by Renae Lolohea
