bigfudge wrote:mraotxt2 wrote:Very good points. I think what I more meant to say is that the disparity between those top teams in Havelock and United and the rest if larger than it ever has been. It'll be extremely frustrating for those other sides in the league if either Gisborne or Havelock don't get promoted, especially considering that they're basically CL2 squads already. For the sake of the league I hope that at least one of them goes up to CL2, but will depend on how Central/Capital Football decide things.bigfudge wrote:I think the level of this league is actually very high at the moment. It’s just that without the fed league, the top two sides (United/Havelock) are playing at a level too low for them. It’s shown quite clearly with Havelocks Chatham cup run.
Results in the East:
Gisborne United 5-2 Taradale Prems
Another solid win for United as they look to continue their unbeaten form through to the end of the season. Looking at the squad, Taradale had a lot of CL2 players dropping down due to their cup-bye, and had a full bench but when Jimmy Sommerton is scoring first half hattricks it's always going to be difficult. Nicked 2 late on but this Gisborne team looks a class above everyone. Will do well if they do go up to CL2.
Port Hill United 0-3 Havelock North Wanderers
Not too many surprises here, game was a bit passive first half but Wanderers turned it on in the second half. No Jack Parker as it sounds like he's now left. Important win for Wanderers with Thistle snapping at their heels.
Western Rangers 2-5 Gisborne Thistle
A very young Thistle side travelled to Hastings and only had two youth players on the bench. Rangers battled back to make it 1-1 and 2-2 after halftime, but Thistle's quality shone through as they scored 3 unanswered goals to take the 3 points home. That Maisey striker is a real handful for strikers at this level, always nice to see former players returning and doing well.
Napier City Rovers 8-0 Maycenvale United
Disciplinary issues rear their ugly head for Vale once again this season (even with no Lucas' playing) as they went down to 10 men just before half-time. It was only 2-0 at half-time but when so many players are suspended and you have to play a man less on a big pitch like Bluewater, it was always going to be difficult. 6 goals in the second half sealed this one, as Vale continue their terrible run of form. If ever a club needed a culture reset, Vale should be the obvious choice.
Top 4 win this week, bottom four lose. A bit of a split starting to form in the league. I know Fed League isn't the answer, but the quality of this league seems to get worse and worse.
Although they have lost a few quality players, they play the ball around so well. They are very sharp and hard to break down.
Thistle and Rovers are playing at a level that would traditionally win this league.
I agree with the vale red ruining even the slightest chance they had. Not sure what happened there but by the closeness of the two yellow cards, I assume it was for dissent. I believe that’s the same player who got more than a years ban when he was at havelock a few seasons ago. I wonder if Central Football will have the guts to permanently ban him?
A mate of mine plays for Havelock and said they've been missing 5-7 players each game for the last few weeks (and have a few heading overseas). The cup run showed what they were capable of but it seems as though the squad depth just wasn't there for them like it is for Gisborne United.
Agree about Thistle. Normally, United wouldn't have this level of squad depth and Havelock have regularly played in the levels above. Their early season form was mainly due to factors like injuries and the fact it was almost a completely new squad (from the last squad of the previous season, only 9 of them have returned) and their coach has done incredibly well to get them challenging up the right end of the table.
Had another friend watching that game, it was their short winger, used to be at Port Hill. Apparently had been getting into a few scuffles and had a few words with one of the Rovers player. It's not one of the Lucas'. Also notably no Nick Yorke playing for them this week.
Yep, that winger was at Port then went to Havelock. Him, Dakota and his dad were all sent off in a game. The Lucas’s’ got something like 4 game bans. The winger got the 18 game ban. That’s when they moved to Maycenvale.
Does Thistle have quite a young squad? Will be interesting to see how they go in the top four part of the league
Does Thistle have quite a young squad? Will be interesting to see how they go in the top four part of the league