By Walter Pless
Somerset are the favourites for Saturday’s Milan Lakoseljac Memorial Trophy final at Valley Road in Devonport, but Launceston City cannot be discounted.
City are cup specialists and their experience could tell if Somerset are not at their best.
Somerset have no injuries and coach Craig Macey said his side was confident but wary.
They had a session in the pool on Tuesday night and normal training later in the week in preparation for their first appearance in the final of this competition.
“We’ve played them twice this year and beaten them 3-1 away and 4-1 at home,” said Macey.
“They were under-strength last time, but they’ll be hungry for success in this final as it’s their only chance of collecting some silverware this season.
“They’re very good at set-plays and someone like Roger Mies is very dangerous at those situations, so we’ll be aiming to shut them down very tightly.”
City coach, David Craig, said he was quietly confident of success and that his team would give a good account of themselves after finishing a disappointing fourth in the league.
The recent signing of Antonio Macri has bolstered the side and, with some of the veterans such as Roger Mies and Justin Dyer approaching retirement, a top performance can be expected from the Launceston outfit.
City looked a beaten side in the semi-final against South Hobart, but won 2-1 in extra-time, a clear indication that they never give up, no matter how dire the situation.
“We should be at full strength, although we do have a couple of minor injury worries for the weekend, but assuming no mishaps between now and then, all is good,” said Craig.
“We will have Anthony Macri available again, which should give us some options up front.
“Justin Dyer will play in his last game for the club. After hyper-extending his knee against South Hobart, he has made an incredible recovery so, hopefully, he will go out with good memories.
“Andy Clarke still has a problem toe and could miss out, but I feel we can cover his position okay if need be.
“I think we have a better chance of getting a result against them in this game than in the previous games simply because we are at full strength.
“We have not played against them with a full strength team yet, so it remains to be seen how they will cope with us under these conditions.
“They are a good side, though, and would have to be the yard stick at the moment.
“I don’t believe I am wrong in saying this state-wide and not just in the north.
“They are a very well-conditioned team, very competitive and very quick on both flanks and capable of quickly turning teams around on the counter.
“They also seem to convert any chance or half-chance better than most sides, so we will have to have no lapses of concentration for the whole game.
“It is a big game for our club, but just being part of the day will be great.
“The fact that we finished fourth on the ladder is disappointing, but the way forward for the club is, I believe, to play our younger players and sit with them through the normal ups and downs that you get with kids.
“And, also maybe to plug in a couple of experienced players that are above the competition level, perhaps two imports.
“We can only wait and see what happens in the off season regarding all of this, but it would be good for the game to see some new faces rather than the same old, same old.”
The final southern Premier League match of the season is on Saturday at Olinda Grove, where seventh-placed University host bottom-side Metro-Claremont in a replay of their earlier match, which was declared invalid because of a timing error by the referee.
Metro will be without suspended sweeper Terry Kent, who was sent off last weekend against Taroona.
Darrin Chaffey is likely to fit in at sweeper, while Jarrod Saunders may make a return after injuring a knee at training recently.
Metro have injury concerns surrounding Aaron Marney (neck), Adam McKeown (back) and Phil Curran (calf).
Veteran goalkeeper Neil Biggar may only play half a game after an exhausting and demanding season.
“Despite our loss last week, the club is brimming with confidence after a very encouraging second half of the season, so far,” said Metro coach, Matthew Gasparin.
University are not happy at replaying a match they initially won 5-1, but Gerard O’Brien is the only doubtful starter from the side that lost 5-0 to South Hobart last weekend.
“We are stuck playing a game we have already played,” said University coach, Matthew Shaw. “We do not want to, but are concerned that we could be deducted points if we do not.
“We have some of last week’s side available and some not. We will cobble together eleven even if it means roping in some of the women’s Premier League side since they are the only side in the club without a game, and a couple of them would be capable of performing well.
“We are definitely without Rod Gretton, who has a fractured skull.
“He has called the decision to play this game again atrocious.
“That it is being played shows contempt for the injury he sustained.
“On the day, both teams agreed to continue with the game and the referee explained how he planned to play it.
“He knew that at least 65 minutes had to be played for the game to count. That he then submitted a report stating only 60 minutes were played is inexplicable.
“I have never received an adequate explanation for why this was so when others of us timed it at more than 65 minutes.
“The even halves has never been mentioned as a reason, nor should it.
“I have played a game that was abandoned after 25 minutes of the second half because of a storm and that was never replayed.
“Numerous other debatable decisions each week are also not an excuse for replaying a match.
“The only reason this is being replayed is that less than 65 minutes was played according to the referee’s report.
I just hope none of our players get injured in this game.”
Friday’s women’s State-wide cup final between Nelson Eastern Suburbs and Clarence United kicks off at 7.30pm at KGV Park.
Nelson are the hot favourites to take the trophy ahead of their State premiership clash with Launceston City next weekend.
Clarence, surprising finalists, are sure to take the game right up to their opponents.
