Marist blitz Gisborne to remain undefeated
Palmerston North Marist swept aside Gisborne Thistle 5-1 with a scintillating display of attacking football in the men’s Federation League on Saturday.
In what was their most accomplished team effort so far this season, Marist buried previously-unbeaten Thistle, announcing their intentions within the first five minutes of the game when striker Nick Carrick scored the first goal of his hat-trick.
His goal haul saw Carrick leap to the top of the Golden Boot competition as unbeaten Marist moved the ball from side to side interspersed with short-passing rushes up the middle in a patterned approach that left Gisborne struggling to cope.
Melvin Rumere and Jordan Joblin-hall also grabbed goals for Marist as Thistle faded under the pressure the home side were imposing on them.
Thistle, to give them their due, did battle back and as Marist took their collective foot off the pedal, the visitors snaffled a consolation goal in the dying minutes through a rocket from out front from Cullen Spawforth.
But for the most part Marist kept Thistle dangerman Jimmy Somerton subdued and he became less of a threat as the game wore on.
Marist lost some of their momentum and shape after Jono Steele went off injured, followed by the arrival of Fletcher Leslie and Eli Smith off the bench.
But even then Carrick popped up again to slot home Marist’s fifth to cement the kind of decisive victory the home side have been seeking all season.
Holding midfielder Taylor Monk was named man of the match for Marist. Gisborne had the occasional chance but Marist could have had more so the final score was probably a fair reflection of the game.
Certainly Thistle have been given plenty to think about while Marist will be striving to do it all again in the games to come.
Massey University stayed in touch with Marist at the top of the league with a 2-0 win at lowly Levin in what coach Donald Piper called ‘‘a game of missed opportunities’’.
Rhys Galyer and George Andrew scored for the students, keeping them in the leading Golden Boot group.
North End collected their first points of the season when they won 1-0 at Whanganui Athletic through a Patrick Smithers free kick. Co-coach Michael Sheridan said the young additions to North End’s lineup this season were improving by the game, singling out ex-boys’ High signing Joey Thomas for his performance at left back.
In the other game at the weekend, unbeaten Havelock North Wanderers leapfrogged Thistle into third spot on the ladder when they won 3-2 at Napier Marist.
■ Palmerston North Boys’ High School climbed into second place on the Horizons Premiership ladder on Saturday after notching their third win of the season with a 5-2 victory over Red Sox reserves. The win puts them a point behind leaders Feilding United, who drew 1-1 against Hokowhitu.
The schoolboys, who lead the goal count in the premiership with 17 from five games, now have two players, Jaiden Meyer and Ben Mori, in the top group of Golden Boot contenders, with four goals apiece.
Two other sides have the same points tally as Boys’ High but with inferior goal differences.
They are Takaro, who lost 1-0 at Wanganui City, and City.
Massey University reserves racked up their first win of the season with a resounding 7-0 win over North End reserves.
In the other game of the round, there was a 0-0 draw between Marist reserves and Whanganui Athletic reserves.