PN Marist punish Thistle’s failings

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

Gisborne Thistle had a day to remember in Central Federation League football in Manawatu on Saturday.

They lost 6-1 to Palmerston North Marist and they’ll want the memory of that defeat to galvanise their effort for the game this weekend.

Thistle are away to Palmerston North United, who beat Marist 6-0 just over two weeks ago and Taradale 7-1 on Saturday.

A lot of what went wrong for ALH Gisborne Thistle against Marist can be put right in short order . . . on the training ground and in the players’ heads.

Urgency in recovery and in closing down attackers, marking that keeps opponents in view, a level head in the penalty area, heft in the tackle and elimination of silly mistakes are elements of play that can be sharpened if players are motivated.

But defensive organisation, the provision of cover across the backline, midfield support for the defence and the creation of attacks and goalscoring chances . . . these have to be developed on the training ground.

It’s the sort of thing teams do throughout the season. Sometimes, though, a 6-1 hammering can focus the mind wonderfully for the week ahead.

Two other factors in recent setbacks also need mentioning. Intensity straight after a Thistle goal or opposition restart should be heightened to prevent a quick reply.

And the Jags need 11 players on the pitch at all times to give themselves the best chance of success.

Marist wasted no time before they put Thistle under pressure on Saturday.

In the third minute, Thistle centreback Finn McAuley cleared a shot off the line.

In the 25th, Marist hit the post with a shot from the edge of the penalty area, and two minutes later they went ahead when Mason Charlton got on the blind side of his marker and met a ball played in to him with a first-time shot.

Midfielder Ash McMillan got 10 minutes in the sinbin for dissent in the 36th minute. Two minutes later a pass out of defence was intercepted near halfway and passed to Charlton, who had an unimpeded run on goal . . . 2-0.

Within 12 seconds of the second-half kick-off, Marist had gone 3-0 up. A long pass down their right flank was cut back, deflected towards the edge of the penalty area and finished with a powerful first-time shot by Elijah Smith.

Thistle hit back in the 49th minute, when striker Jimmy Somerton played the ball out to left-winger Oska Smith, who reached the byline and crossed low for right-winger Campbell Hall to finish from close range.

Hopes of a comeback were shortlived, however. In the 56th, a Marist free-kick was hoisted towards the far post and headed back into the middle, where Elijah Smith was waiting unmarked to head the ball high into the left-hand corner . . . 4-1.

Marist veteran Adam Cowan scored the last two goals, the first from a penalty conceded by McMillan as he tried to cover, and the second a lob over the keeper’s head after Cowan timed his run to perfection.

Thistle are still looking for the ideal centreback pairing. Cory Thomson started alongside McAuley but later switched with midfielder Hugo Elwood. Next cab off the rank could be striker Ryan Noon, who was not cleared to play on Saturday.