Walter Pless on Football

By Walter Pless

Premier League, KGV Park, Friday, 30 March 2007

Glenorchy Knights 2 (Harrison 4, 65)
Clarence United 4 (Walsh 26, 93, Bremner 46, Parker 76)

HT: 1-2 Att: 75 Ref: D Gadd

Glenorchy Knights (1-3-4-2): Peter - Grundy (Clay 45) - Begovic, Dzelalija, Wiggins - Smith, Fielding, Ladic, Hickey - Huigsloot, Harrison [Substitutes not used: Brown, Cairns, Conquest] [Coach: E Kelly]

Clarence United (4-5-1): Evans - McMahon, Cannamela, Ling, Mahoney - Emmanueli, Stevens (Hadley 74), Bremner, Parker, Hunt - Walsh [Substitutes not used: Mayne, Wraight, Sweeten] [Coach: A Brown]

Glenorchy Knights made the worst start possible to their defence of the Premier League title when they went down 4-2 at home to Clarence United at KGV Park. Just as well there weren’t many people to witness it or the Knights might have been severely embarrassed. The attendance figure could have been inflated to 100, but that would have had to include the 50 players who provided the comedy…oops, spectacle for the evening.

It was a comedy, too. The line-markings were so poor that the penalty areas could not be seen. The Knights’ Dzelalija was wearing the number 4 shirt, yet on the team sheet he was listed as number 6. There was no sign of a number 4 on the team sheet. At the 24th-minute mark, the automatic sprinklers went on at the club-house end of the ground and play had to be halted for six minutes while someone found out how to switch them off (Stephen Pitchford). On the stroke of half-time, the Knights goalkeeper had possession and, with a whole field to aim at, kicked the ball into the nearest Clarence player, the ball ricocheting into the net to put Clarence 2-1 ahead. Near the end of the match, the banter between some Knights players and Clarence supporters in the stand turned ugly, with threats of violence after the match being hurled into the night air. Gee, all this and they can only attract 75 spectators! Come on folks! Get out there next time! You don’t know what you’re missing.

Football Federation Tasmania will really have to do something about advertising games. I had several calls during the week from young people and old with no access to computers asking me to print off rosters for them. This I did, but surely a fixture chart paid for by advertising shouldn’t be too hard a task for the ruling body. It’s the good of the game we’re talking about here, after all.

Did I say the good of the game? For the first time in living memory - I started watching the local game as a kid in the mid 1950s and have been writing about it for 28 years - there will be no football over Easter. Can you believe that? And we were told that there was no time for semi-finals in the Summer Cup any more. I can remember when the Summer Cup final was traditionally played on Easter Monday. The fact is that the actual season is being shortened, despite the propaganda being issued about it being too long.

Enough preaching and on with the match report.

The Knights have only themselves to blame as they were in self-destruct mode. They had arguably their most powerful squad, with quality players on the bench and only the injured Peter Roland missing.

But, they were lethargic. Insiders tell me that the players are bored and that there are few new faces to get excited about. They feel there is a lack of challenge after winning two league titles in a row.

The Knights’ one new signing, Harrison, from Hobart Olympic - he last played for the Knights in 2002 - scored twice but missed several other clear-cut chances. On the chances, the Knights could have won by at least 8-4. But, to give Clarence their due, they made the most of the Knights’ inadequacies and took their own chances well. Bremner didn’t know much about his goal, but Walsh demonstrated cool finishing in scoring his two. Parker was lucky to still be on the field when he scored his goal, offered to him on a platter but still taken well after team-mate Hadley’s fierce shot had hit him between the legs and momentarily stunned him.

Clay was a revelation for the Knights wide on the left, after coming on at the interval for central defender Grundy as coach Kelly made positional changes. Smith had started on the right of midfield, but went back to sweeper after Grundy’s departure. Eventually, late in the match, Hickey, who had also been effective wide on the left, went back to sweeper to release Smith into midfield. But, by then it was too late to salvage the game and Walsh struck Clarence’s fourth three minutes into injury time.

The match started promisingly for the Knights, with their obvious tactic of playing high balls into the box for the tall Harrison and Huigsloot to get onto the end of working well. Clarence’s only tall defender was Ling, who did his best to cut out this aerial threat. The Knights were also working on the fact that Evans was in goal in place of Moschogianis, who was at a cricket dinner. Evans, only a fill-in keeper, did well on the night and made several fine saves.

Huigsloot had glanced one header wide in the opening minute, and it took only four minutes for the Knights to take the lead as Wiggins crossed from the left and Harrison nodded home.

Hunt should have levelled for Clarence in the 13th minute when he gained possession on the left and drew the keeper, but his low shot was wide of the far post.

In the 19th minute, Smith’s tremendous shot hit the underside of the Clarence bar and bounced down and back into play. The consensus of opionion - it doesn’t take long to do a straw poll of 40 people in the grandstand - was that it had crossed the line, but referee’s assistant Mr Fagg was unsighted and Mr Gadd waved play on.

A minute later, Bremner was given too much time to shoot, but he fired wide with a good chance going begging for Clarence.

Play had just resumed after the break for a shower when Walsh equalised in the 26th minute, turning a Knights defender on the proverbial sixpence and shooting past Peter.

Harrison should have restored the Knights’ lead in the 40th minute when Fielding picked him out with a perfect left-wing cross, but the lanky striker blazed high over the bar.

Clarence were fortunate a couple of minutes later when Ladic rattled Evans’s crossbar with a superb free-kick from 30 metres.

And then the sudden rush of blood to the head on the part of Peter as he kicked the ball into Bremner and the ball rebounded into the net to give Clarence an unlikely 2-1 lead at the interval.

With Clay on for Grundy and Smith back at sweeper, the Knights went all out for an equaliser in the opening stages of the second half. Evans saved from the lightning quick Clay and, from the resultant corner, taken by Ladic, Evans denied Dzelalija’s header and conceded another corner. It really was Dzelalija, too, and not an imposter. He had the number 6 shirt on now and that is what the team sheet read.

Clay forced another corner in the 54th minute as he continued to present Clarence with problems down the right. In the 56th minute, Clay crossed perfectly from the right for Harrison, but again, incredibly, he fired high over the bar. It could have been at least 7-2 for the Knights by this stage but in reality it was 2-1 for Clarence.

Parker, who had earlier put in a robust tackle on Smith, was booked in the 59th minute when he flattened Ladic, who required several minutes’ treatment. Because of the small attendance, one could have heard a pin drop on the night, so Ladic’s yell of pain was audible at Northgate Shopping Centre.

The Knights finally equalised in the 65th minute after a move started by Clay on the right. His long diagonal ball found Hickey wide on the left and he slipped the ball inside to Harrison to score.

Clarence almost went ahead within a minute when a ball across the box eluded the Knights defence, but Emmanueli was only able to poke it wide of the far post.

In the 72nd minute, Evans turned a long-range effort from Hickey wide for a corner, but it was Clarence who resumed the lead four minutes later.

The Knights cleared a corner, but only as far as their former star, Hadley, who fired at goal from 30 metres through a crowded penalty area. Hadley had only been on the field for two minutes, having replaced Stevens, who received a caution in the 69th minute. The ball struck Parker, who appeared stunned but reacted more quickly than the surrounding defenders, turning and slotting the ball home just inside the right-hand post from 15 metres to give Clarence a 3-2 lead.

The Knights’ wretched luck continued as, two minutes later, Harrison struck the crossbar.

Dzelalija - number 6 now, and not number 4 (imagine what confusion this might have caused) - was booked seconds later for tugging at an opponent’s shirt (no, not the Clarence number 4 - they were wearing white shirts so he wasn’t trying to get his original number back).

Three minutes into injury time and, with the Knights in all-out attack mode, Clarence broke quickly out of defence and Walsh finished clinically when left with only the goalkeeper to beat to make it 4-2 for the visitors.

“They took their chances and we didn’t,” said Knights coach, Eamonn Kelly. “Hitting crossbars, hitting woodwork, the goalposts doesn’t win games.

“It’s balls in the back of the net that wins games. They got the ball in the back of the net and we didn’t. It’s as simple as that.

“We played some good football and so did they. I thought we played better football than them, but them’s the breaks. That’s what happens.”

Clarence coach Andrew Brown was delighted with his side’s first-ever win over the Knights in a Premier League match.

“I thought our boys were fantastic,” said Brown. “I said before the match it would be an open and entertaining game.

“We go out to try and play football and try and score goals. We know that gives other teams opposition.

“We rode our luck a little bit tonight.

“There were many chances created. We took ours and they didn’t take theirs.”

By Walter Pless

After the disappointment of the Summer Cup, Glenorchy Knights will be keen to atone and beat Clarence United when they meet in the opening fixture of the 2007 Premier League competition at KGV Park on Friday evening at 8 o’clock.

The omens are not necessarily good for the Knights, however, despite the fact they should have some regular first-team players from last season back in action

Janko Begovic, Lincoln Conquest, Tony Dzelalija, Shay Hickey and Anthony Grundy should all be ready to resume, but Clarence will be no easy-beats and they showed in the Summer Cup that they are a well-organised side.

Clarence and Knights drew 1-1 in the Summer Cup competition and this game should be every bit as close, given the Knights’ brittle defence and Clarence’s willingness to attack.

Ben Parker and Kenyi Emmanueli, both signed from Hobart United, will be making their league debuts for Clarence.

“I could not ask for a better barometer of where we stand than to play against arguably the best team in the State over the last couple of years,” said Clarence coach, Andrew Brown.

“I expect the Knights to be pumped for their title defence opener as they attempt to win the league for the third year in a row, in what is their 50th year of existence.

“Eammon Kelly will have his full-strength side available for the first time this season, and I believe that they shall again be right up there at the sharp end of the table come season’s end.

“It shall be a great test for The Reds as we firstly must stave off relegation before again pushing to finish in the top half of the league.

“This game shall afford league debuts to new signings Ben Parker and Kenyi Emmanueli in what is a new look CUFC, full of pace and attacking potential, and I fully expect both sides to have many goal-scoring opportunities in what promises to be an open and exciting game.

“I urge all CUFC supporters to show their support for the club on Friday night and, as always, to be our 12th player.

“Good-luck to all CUFC sides that begin their season this weekend.”

New Town Eagles are at home to Hobart Olympic at Clare Street on Saturday at 2.30pm and both sides will be keen to start their league campaigns on a winning note.

New Town Eagles qualified for the Summer Cup final, but they were comprehensively beaten by Tilford Zebras, while Hobart Olympic fell at the last hurdle after drawing 0-0 with Eagles.

This promises to be a close game, therefore, and a draw may well be the result again.

“After the disappointment of the final, we now have to move on and focus on the new season,” said New Town Eagles coach, Ian Parker.

“Losing the Summer Cup final showed we are a couple of weeks behind in our preparation.

“I expected a better showing from the team in terms of desperation or fighting spirit.

“Football-wise, there were some good things to be positive about, and things we will continue to work on, but after the second goal went in we had a few heads drop, and that is not acceptable. And it is not what we are about.

“There may be some changes to our formation and also the starting line-up to try and counter the way they played against us last time.

“They have a good squad of players and really should be doing better than they are.

“I expect it will be another close game.”

Hobart Olympic have a full-strength squad and coach Farrell Shaw will expect big things from new signing Chris Tsimiklis, a left wing-back who has come to Hobart from Adelaide to study.

Metro-Claremont lost 4-3 to Launceston City in last weekend’s final of the northern Steve Hudson Cup pre-season competition but performed poorly in the southern Summer Cup.

Metro tackle South Hobart at North Chigwell on Saturday and coach Matthew Gasparin is confident of a good showing after blooding two dozen or so players in the two pre-season competitions.

“The senior squad at Metro are looking forward to this week’s encounter against South Hobart,” said Gasparin.

“Having participated in the both the Hudson Cup, as finalists, and the southern Summer Cup this year, our preparation has never been better.

“During both these competitions, over 22 Metro players have been given senior experience, something that will not only benefit the team as a whole this year, but more importantly, in years to come.

“Some of the shining lights of our pre-season campaign have been Jason Dawes, who has taken on the ‘pre-season’ role of captain with great maturity.

“The last hit out in the Hudson Cup Final saw ‘veteran’ goalkeeper Troy Kaden peak just in time for this week’s round-one clash, showing great agility and poise under trying circumstances.

“Several members of the first-team squad are still to undergo fitness tests before being selected for a starting berth, with Jarrod Saunders, Phil Curran, Royston Dutton and veteran Terry Kent being doubtful at this stage.

“Adam McKeown will return to the senior squad after a lengthy lay-off due to cricketing commitments over the summer period.

“All in all, the squad itself will be a better outfit than the one that was outclassed against South Hobart in the pre-season competition, with everyone looking forward to a bold showing.”

On Sunday, Kingborough Lions United welcome University to a refurbished Lightwood Park, and newly promoted Taroona host Summer Cup winners Tilford Zebras at Kelvedon Park.

The Lions and the Zebras should collect three points each from these encounters.

University were a huge disappointment, while Kingborough improved as the tournament went on and Chris Sanita was starting to find his true form.

Taroona put in a respectable performance in the Summer Cup, with goalkeeper Michael McKenna in particularly good form.

But, the Zebras showed they could be a power this season and will be difficult to beat in this opening fixture, despite the fact that winning the Summer Cup is often the kiss of death for the league campaign.

Taroona will take time to settle in the top flight and they are unlikely to start with a win against such strong opponents.

I have created a link to my article in today’s Mercury. Please enjoy

The Tuesday Piece

South Hobart 3 Clarence United 2
[Premier Reserves Summer Cup Final, KGV Park, Saturday, 24 March 2007]

By Walter Pless

Clarence United played a fine style of football, with the experienced Scott Hadley and Luke Cripps at the back, but it was the brilliance of striker Alexander Gordon which eventually swung things South Hobart’s way and helped them to a 3-2 victory.

Clarence’s possession and passing game was a delight to watch, and Hadley and Cripps initiated some good attacks with their distribution from the back.

Jade Westbrook was busy as Clarence’s lone striker and South took a long time to wake up to the fact that they could push more men forward.

Stefan Hamilton almost gave Clarence the lead in the 21st minute, but his toe-poke at full stretch failed to beat Mitchell Grueber in the South Hobart goal.

Clarence took a deserved lead in the 26th minute when Hadley crossed from deep on the left and the diminutive Jon Darby side-footed home with aplomb.

In the 32nd minute, Alexander Gordon tested his sights when he lifted a free-kick from range just over the crossbar.

But, it was Clarence who extended their lead three minutes later when Hamilton took advantage of a terrible error by Ben Horsley to make it 2-0.

South Hobart were back in contention a minute before the break through a marvellous goal by Alexander Gordon. Callum Paske floated a deep cross from the left into the box and Gordon, tightly marked and with his back to goal, back-heeled the ball into the net.

It was a clinical and deliberate finish from a youngster who oozed skill throughout the match. He has a mastery of the ball and delights in beating opponents with deft control, as when he nut-megged an opponent in the first half before launching a dangerous attack.

Clarence were not finished, however, and Tom Nicholls just failed to make the most of Alan Jablonski’s astute pass in the 65th minute.

Two minutes later, it was Jablonski who tested Grueber’s reflexes.

The equaliser came in the 69th minute, and what a goal it was. Alexander Gordon gained possession near the half-way line on the right and played a magnificent diagonal pass to the left for his brother, Tom Gordon, who netted with a powerful drive that gave Sam Sweetten no chance.

Clarence again went for the throat and Grueber kept the score level when he tipped John Wise’s chip over the bar in impressive style.

South’s winner came in the 77th minute when a ball across the face of the penalty area caught the Clarence defence off balance and the advancing David Buxton fired home.

Tom Gordon might have added a fourth for South in the 86th minute when Colin Wain put him through, but the striker shot over the bar.

Referee Sara Hodson, from Queensland, handled the match firmly and was decisive in her decisions. She booked three Clarence players, but some South Hobart personnel were mighty lucky to escape punishment at times.

South Hobart: Grueber; McCallum, Horsley, D Pearce, Buxton; Wailes, Wain, Wardle, Paske; T Gordon, A Gordon.

Interchange: Atkin, T Pearce, Ross, Sweeney

Goals: A Gordon 44, T Gordon 69, Buxton 77

Clarence United: Sweetten; Wise, Cripps, Hadley; Nicholson, Darby, Rees, Bevan, Nicholls, Hamilton; Westbrook.

Interchange: Engel, Toghill, Gunn, Jablonski

Goals: Darby 26, Hamilton 35

Booked: Cripps, Nicholson, Wise

Referee: S Hodson (Queensland)

Assistants: B Kopra, T Humphries (4th Official: I Colhoun)

Attendance: 300

Victorious Souths squad

Clarence Reserves

Officials for the Reserves fixture: Brenton Kopra, Ian Colhoun, Sara Hodson & Tom Humphries

South Hobart 2 Beachside 0
[Division One Section Summer Cup Final, KGV Park, Saturday, 24 March 2007]

By Walter Pless

Beachside had nine under-16s in their side for this Summer Cup final and, in the end, it really was a case of boys against men as South Hobart ran out 2-0 winners.

Alex Holmes played well at the back for Beachside, while Mark Hammond was busy and creative.

Dae-Won Kim has a footballing brain, and some of his crosses proved dangerous. He outwitted opponents with ease at times, but his lack of pace is becoming a liability in defence. South Hobart did not utilise this deficiency, however.

Beachside might have won on the chances, but they were woeful in front of goal.

This was never more evident than in the 3rd minute when confusion between Owen Roberts and goalkeeper Dexter Franklin-Paddock at the back for South Hobart almost gifted Beachside a goal.

But, Nick Gibson was unable to knock the ball home, while Jonathon Greenwood could not get a clean touch and succeeded only in sweeping the ball wide for a goalkick.

And so it went on. In the 10th minute, Gibson shot straight at the goalkeeper, while in the 20th minute, Jamie Walker raced on to a flick-on but his first touch was poor. It took him past the goalkeeper, but he was unable to catch the ball and it rolled out for a goalkick.

In the 24th minute, Jacob Kavanagh was put through by poor defending, but he shot over the bar.

Two minutes later, the talented Kavanagh crossed from the left and the South Hobart defence was caught flatfooted, but Walker was denied by the goalkeeper.

Having squandered their numerous chances, it was almost inevitable that Beachside should fall behind.

On the half-hour, a terrible square pass by Sam Howarth saw his fellow Beachside defenders caught by surprise as Travers Wailes gained possession and advanced on goal. Sam Johnson was the first to react, but all he could do was to bring the South Hobart player down for a penalty.

Bernhard Klasen slammed home his spot-kick with ease and South were ahead 1-0 against the run of play.

In the 36th minute, Klasen sent a quickly-taken free-kick over the bar.

In the 40th minute, Christopher Barker chipped just over the Beachside bar from range as South gained in confidence.

Two minutes before the interval, a free-kick from the right saw Andrew Wilson head home from close range to make it 2-0.

South were the better side in the second half and might easily have added to the score.

Alexander Bigg did well to save from Gary Andrews in the 54th minute, while at the other end in the 63rd minute, Tom Sherman fired wide for Beachside after good approach work from Alex Holmes and Mark Van Hammond.

Two minutes later, Bigg did very well to save with his feet from the onrushing Rowan Franklin.

In the 72nd minute, Paul Jarvis missed a sitter for South Hobart, but it didn’t matter as Beachside were out of the running by then.

South Hobart: Franklin-Paddock; Cooper, Roberts, J McCormack; Wilson, Wailes, Andrews, Barker, Williams; T Veness, Franklin.

Interchange: Klasen, D McCormack, H Jarvis, P Jarvis

Goals: Klasen 30 pen, Wilson 43

Beachside: Bigg; Howarth, Holmes, Johnson, Dae-Won Kim; Greenwood, Westland, Davis, Van Hammond; Gibson, Walker

Booked: Sherman

Referee: S Collins

Attendance: 200

South Hobart Div.1 Summer Cup winners

The Beachside squad

Div.1 final officials: Patrick Galloway, Sean Collins, Gerry Lampasona & Theo Mapley

Tilford Zebras 5 New Town Eagles 0
[Summer Cup Final, Premier League Section, KGV Park, Saturday, 24 March 2007]

By Walter Pless

New Town Eagles coach Ian Parker was at the helm of a finalist for the third consecutive year, but he was unable to improve his winning record of one win from three finals.

He coached Hobart Olympic to the Summer Cup title in 2005 and was Eagles’ losing coach last season.

The best Eagles were able to do in this final was to hold the Zebras to a goalless opening half.

Zebras then scored twice in four minutes just before the hour mark and that destroyed Eagles’ resistance.

Zebras added three more goals before the end to make it five wins in five outings in this tournament, culminating in the final victory. No other side did as well and Zebras were worthy winners.

The final was also a first in terms of refereeing, with all four officials being women. FIFA referee Jacquie Melksham was chosen to handle the game. Teenaged sisters Jessica and Hanna Manuela, both from Tasmania, were the referee’s assistants, but Jessica twisted an ankle within minutes of the start and was replaced by fourth official, Sara Hodson, also from Queensland.

Eagles had a chance in the opening minute when they attacked down the left, but Cormac Collins blasted high and wide from a difficult angle.

In the 8th minute, Eagles striker Ben Whitehall beat Michael Connolly for pace on the right, but with two other defenders striving to shut him down, he wasted the chance by blazing wide of the target.

The Zebras’ first chance came after 19 minutes when Ricky Self put Aaron Brazendale away on the right, but Eagles goalkeeper Nick Rundle did well to save.

Eagles survived a scare in the 36th minute when Andrew Telega inexplicably played the ball into the path of Brazendale, but he squandered the opening.

A minute later, Mark Falzon’s shot caused panic in the Eagles defence. Rundle could only parry the shot and there was a mad scramble for the loose ball before it was cleared upfield.

Three minutes before the break, Falzon’s low drive was well saved by Rundle, but Zebras were clearly on top at this stage.

In the 43rd minute, Brett Pullen went on a long run through the middle and Eagles had to concede a corner from his attempt at goal.

There were five minutes of time added on due to an earlier injury to Eagles’ Nathan Brown and, during this time, Andrew Clark fired straight at Frank Mainella and Romeo Frediani sent a glancing header just wide of the Eagles goal.

Two minutes after the resumption, Frediani fired wide after being given plenty of time to line up his shot following a long clearance out of defence, while a minute later, substitute Adam Shackcloth sent in a shot straight at Mainella.

In the 54th minute, Mainella had to be at his best to pluck a dangerous left-wing cross from George Nelson out of the far top corner, but he immediately launched a counter-attack from which the Zebras hit pay-dirt.

Falzon collected the ball and went on a run which ended with him squeezing the ball past Rundle and just inside the left-hand post to give his side the lead.

Four minutes later, it was 2-0 as Falzon’s partially deflected shot found Brazendale wide on the right and he scored with a low drive from an impossible angle, the ball flashing across Rundle and the face of goal before nestling inside the far post.

Rundle denied Frediani on the hour, while a minute later, Steven Bukowiecki brought the best out of Mainella. Eagles knew they had to score to get back into the game and Shackcloth drove just over the bar within seconds of Bukowiecki’s effort.

In the 69th minute, Rundle was called into action and saved from Chris Cox.

With 17 minutes remaining, Shackcloth brought down Brazendale on the right of the box and Ms Melksham had no hesitation in awarding a penalty, which was easily converted by Pullen.

Moments earlier, she had ably dealt with a situation that might easily have got out of hand without firm control when Whitehall went in pursuit of Brazendale.

Frediani made it 4-0 nine minutes from the end, while Brazendale wrapped it up with his second goal of the match in the 87th minute.

“I think in the first half they threw everything at us, but we were just patient and I knew it would come,” said Zebras coach, Nick Lapolla.

“Once the first one went in, it got our confidence up and the rest just followed.

“I don’t think it’s necessarily an indication for coming league season, especially after last year’s effort.

“If you win, you get confidence, and the team is playing with a lot of confidence at the moment.

“We’re pretty happy with that.”

Ian Parker, coach of Eagles, said: “In the end, it was plain to see they were the hungrier side on the night.

“There were times there when he had a little bit of pressure on them and the play sort of developed a bit for us.

“We had a few half-chances, but I think there was only one side in it.”

Tilford Zebras: Mainella; Fagg, Smith, Connolly; Brazendale, Pullen, C Cox, Falzon, Self; Frediani, D Lapolla.

Interchange: D Cox, Nicholson, Welch

Goals: Falzon 55, Brazendale 58, 87, Pullen 73 pen, Frediani 81

New Town Eagles: Rundle; S Telega, A Telega, Zielinski; Leszczynski, Brown, C Jones, Clark, Collins; Whitehall, Nelson.

Booked: Zielinski

Referee: J Melksham (Queensland)

Assistants: J Manuela, H Manuela (4th Official: S Hodson [Queensland])

Attendance: 300

A victorious Zebras squad

The Eagles boys

Officials for the Premier Mens’ final; Hanna Manuela, Sara Hodson, Jacquie Melksham & Jessica Manuela

Nelson 3 South Hobart 0 [Women’s Premier League Section Summer Cup Final, KGV Park, Saturday, 24 March 2007]

By Walter Pless

Nelson, without the talented Trena Youngbluut, were on their way to an easy victory after a mere two minutes when Amelia Jones took advantage of a hesitant South Hobart defence to score.

Shelly Cook made it 2-0 with a penalty and that was the score at the break.

A header by Belinda Grant in the second half completed the victory and earned Nelson yet another piece of silverware.

Nelson: Barker, Jones, Grant, Belbin, Parker, Clark, Johnson, Morris, Barnes, Cook, Gower.

Interchange: Hale, Hooper, Dean, Underwood

Goals: Jones 2, Cook 26 pen, Grant 56

South Hobart: Grueber, J Manuela, Farquhar, D Raymond, Konings, Cupit, Gibbons, Husari, Thompson, Collet, H Manuela.

Interchange: Y Mohamad, Murray, B Raymond, S Mohamad

Referee: R McCarthy

Assistants: S Wardrope, T Barnett (4th Official: S Hodson)

Attendance: 300

The victorious Nelson squad

Runners-up South Hobart

Officials, Shirley Wardrope, Robyn McCarthy, Sara Hodson & Teegan Barnett

By Walter Pless

New Town Eagles have not won the Summer Cup trophy since 2000.

They were in the final last year, but lost to University.

They get another chance this Saturday to lift the trophy when they take on Tilford Zebras at KGV Park at 7pm.

It will their coach Ian Parker’s third consecutive final. He won it with Hobart Olympic in 2005 and lost it last year with Eagles.

“We’re in the final again, albeit somewhat luckily, but we are there and it’s a credit to all the players involved,” Parker said.

“The final against Hobart Zebras will be a tight, tough game, as they have played well in the few games I have seen them, and they will be pleased with their progress under new coach, Nick Lapolla, so some credit must go to him.

“It’s more important for us to get our game plan right and we all have roles and responsibilities and, if we do these right, then I think we have a good chance.

“We have just about got our full squad to choose from, with only Matt Ryback to come back in, and also Chris Wass, who did not play in the games versus Glenorchy Knights and Olympic.

“I have nothing but praise for the squad who have played their hearts out to get us to this final and to win would be a great reward for them going into the season proper.”

A factor in Eagles favour is that they at last have a genuine goalkeeper, after the departure of Nathan Pitchford to Melbourne in the close season.

They suffered a major blow in their opening game when they lost his replacement, Andrew Savage, through injury. He will be out for the rest of the season after undergoing knee ligament surgery.

Striker Steven Bukowiecki took over in goal for a couple of games before the club signed Nick Rundle from Devonport. He has been in fine form.

Zebras Goalkeeper Frank Mainella has been a key player his side, too, and deserves great credit for the team qualifying for the final.

Eagles lack the firepower up front to worry him too much and Zebras should make it five wins from five outings as they pick up the trophy. They are the only side to have won all of their games.

Coach Nick Lapolla has a full squad from which to choose, including experienced midfielder Brett Pullen, who has NSL experience and who has won the Vic Tuting Silver Medal three times.

The classy and experienced Chris Cox is a settling influence for Zebras in his midfield role just in front of the defence and he showed last weekend he can also score goals.

“Considering this was supposed to be a rebuilding year, it’s great to reach the final and Eagles represent a challenge,” said Lapolla.

“I think we’re up to it because the boys have confidence in the way we’re playing.

“A win would be a nice way to get ready for the first league match of the season.

“The final will be our first 90-minute game, so it may be a case of increasing our concentration.”

Eagles are not without hope, however. Zebras have made some awful errors in some games but have been lucky not to be punished. An alert Eagles sides could swoop on such mistakes and make carrion of the Zebras.

Saturday’s programme commences at 1pm with the Division One section final between Beachside and South Hobart.

This will be a big day for the South Hobart club as they contest three finals - Division One, Women’s, and Premier League Reserves.

On Sunday, they are also in one of the social league section finals.

Beachside have a good young side and will difficult to topple. Nick Gibson is always dangerous in attack, and he is able supported by Ben Davis, Jacob Kavanagh and Tom Sherman.

South Hobart are well marshalled at the back by Owen Roberts, but Arthur Veness will be missing through suspension after being sent off in the 4-0 semi-final victory over Kingborough Lions United.

The Premier Reserve section final at 3pm features South Hobart and Clarence United, while at 5pm, South Hobart takes on Nelson in the Women’s Premier League section final.

A feature of Saturday’s finals programme will be the female referees.

The Eagles versus Zebras Premier League section Summer Cup final will be refereed by Jacquie Melksham from Queensland.

She has been a FIFA class 1 referee for three seasons and is the third-ranked referee in Australia.

Melksham, in her mid-20s, has just returned from officiating at a tournament in Thailand and her aim is to become number one in Australia.

She refereed at the Under-19 Women’s World Cup tournament in Thailand and has represented Australia at three Asian tournaments in the past.

A graphic artist by profession, Melksham is also ranked highly in Queensland men’s football.

Her assistants in Saturday’s final will be local sisters Jessica and Hanna Manuela, who are both still in their teens.

The Reserve section final will be controlled by another Queenslander, Sara Hodson, who is a class 2 referee and on the verge of promotion to FIFA ranks.

She works as a physiotherapist in Townsville.

Local female referee Robyn McCarthy will be in charge of the Women’s Premier League section final.

By Walter Pless

Saturday’s Premier League section Summer Cup final will be refereed by Jacquie Melksham from Queensland.

She has been a FIFA class 1 referee for three seasons and is the third-ranked referee in Australia.

Melksham, in her mid-20s, has just returned from officiating at a tournament in Thailand and her aim is to become number one in Australia.

She refereed at the Under-19 Women’s World Cup tournament in Thailand and has represented Australia at three Asian tournaments in the past.

A graphic artist by profession, Melksham is also ranked highly in Queensland men’s football.

Her assistants in Saturday’s final will be local sisters Jessica and Hanna Manuela, who are both still in their teens.

The Premier Reserve section final will be controlled by another Queenslander, Sara Hodson, who is a class 2 referee and on the verge of promotion to FIFA ranks.

She works as a physiotherapist in Townsville.

Local female referee Robyn McCarthy will be in charge of the Women’s Premier League section final.

* * * * *

Metro-Claremont sent an under-15 side and an under-13 side to Morwell recently to play matches against the Gippsland Academy, who visited Tasmania late last year.

The under-15s lost the two games against an under-16 Gippsland Academy team which boasted seven Victorian representatives.

The 5-2 win was against a team from the Mornington Peninsula.

Metro’s under-13s lost all three of their games against an academy undre-14 side which included eight Victorian representatives.

“It was a great learning curve for the boys,” said Jim Mackinnon, who, together with Craig Bidgood, coached the Metro teams.

* * * * *

The Glenorchy Knights’ 50^th anniversary celebrations a couple of weekends ago were a huge success, with some people having to be turned away from the Saturday night dinner because the venue was filled to capacity.

On the following day, a Melbourne Knights under-21 side beat Glenorchy Knights 2-1 at KGV Park

* * * * *

New Town Eagles appear to have solved their goalkeeping problem following the injury to Andrew Savage by signing Nick Rundle from Devonport.

In last Friday’s 11-10 loss to Hobart Olympic in a penalty shoot-out, Rundle saved a penalty from Lee Mason and then scored one himself for Eagles.

Eagles still qualified for the final and it will be their coach Ian Parker’s third Summer Cup final in a row as a coach - two with Eagles and once with Olympic.

Eagles last won this trophy in 2000.

[Friday, 16 March 2007]

By Walter Pless

Nothing but pride was at stake in this Group B match in the Premier League section of the Summer Cup competition at KGV Park on Friday, 16 March 2007.

Metro had been doing well in the northern pre-season Steve Hudson Cup, but their form in this southern contest was poor, exemplified by this 1-0 loss to Taroona, newly promoted to the top flight.

One is forced to wonder whether the standard of the northern clubs is poor.

To be fair, Metro fielded several inexperienced youngsters in this game and it showed they have their best interests at heart.

Taroona started with Robert Hortle in goal and the experienced Michael McKenna only came on as a substitute.

Metro had the better of the opening half and had two early chances when Jim Brown shot into the side-netting and Adam McKeown drove over the crossbar after being put through the middle.

In the 8th minute, Taroona might have had a chance, but Billy Gasparinatos’s corner from the right surprised Ben Horgan with its power and speed and the Taroona defender fluffed his header.

Four minutes later, Troy Kaden produced a fine save from Martyn Wells’s corner.

Twelve minutes after the interval, a second of confusion between Kaden and team-mate Adrian Lawler gave Taroona their goal as Wells forced the ball over the line.

Three minutes later, Gasparinatos might have added a second when he made a good run through the middle, but his shot hit the post.

Metro still had a sting in their tail, however, and Taroona’s substitute goalkeeper, Michael McKenna, was forced to make a brilliant save against Shane Kent’s long-range effort.

Onapa Hess fired over the bar from Wells’s perfect pass from the right wing 9 minutes from the end.

Two minutes later, Wells crossed from the right again and, although Nick MacGeorge missed the ball, it fell to Duncan Carey, but he blazed over the bar.

Lawler, desperate to atone for his earlier error, pushed forward with 4 minutes remaining and got on to the end of a dangerous cross from the left, but he directed his header wide.

Metro-Claremont: Kaden, Lawler, Chaffey, Gasparin, Bagorski, S Kent, Hope, McKeown, Brown, Lipscombe, Dawes

Interchange: Marney, Biggar, Laird

Booked: Hope, Bagorski

Taroona: Hortle, Gates, Horgan, Schaap, Mathers, Hess, B Gasparinatos, Atkinson, Carey, Wells, MacGeorge

Interchange: McKenna, Elliott, Dove, Brown

Goal: Wells 42

Referee: S Collins

Attendance: 150