Walter Pless on Football

By Walter Pless

Four southern and three northern sides are through to the next round of the Milan Lakoseljac Memorial Trophy State-wide football competition after Saturday’s first-round proper.

Holders University were knocked out by fellow southern Premier League outfit South Hobart, who won 2-1 after extra-time away at Olinda Grove.

David Cooper netted both goals for South Hobart, while John Merry equalised for the Students with a fabulous long-range cracker.

Glenorchy Knights, Hobart Zebras and Taroona are the other southern sides through, while Launceston City, Burnie United and Somerset qualified for the next round from the north of the State.

Eion Nicholson on the attack for Zebras

Three goals by Tom Huigsloot gave Glenorchy Knights a 3-0 win over Prospect Knights at KGV Park, but the Launceston outfit acquitted itself well, with Alan Eadie posing a constant threat to the southerners.

With Glenorchy Knights leading 2-0, only a brilliant save by Ben Peter prevented Eadie from putting the northerners back into the game.

Devonport City, without captain and key defender John ‘Snow’ Compagne, should have beaten a lacklustre Hobart Zebras at KGV Park, but three crucial saves by Zebras goalkeeper Frank Mainella denied the North-West Coast side and ultimately allowed Zebras to win 3-1 after extra-time.

Mark Falzon tries to halt a Devonport attack 

Mainella denied Peter Gilham twice and Chris McKenna once in one-on-one situations, while McKenna and Gilham also saw shots come back off the Zebras crossbar.

Daniel Lapolla put Zebras ahead in the 62^nd minute, but Simon Wilson headed Devonport level two minutes later.

Zebras finally gained the ascendancy in the second period of extra-time over a tiring Devonport and goals by Mark Falzon and Aaron Brazendale gave the southerners their passage to the next round.

Ricky Self climbs for a header

Kingborough Lions United led home-side Burnie United 2-0 through goals by Michael Giomataris, but the Coastal side fought back to win 3-2.

State premiers Somerset beat New Town Eagles 2-0 away at Clare Street through goals by Toby Skein and Bobby Eaves.

This set a new club record for Eagles of 10 consecutive losses, beating their previous worst run in 1970 of nine straight defeats.

Taroona caused a major upset by downing another southern Premier League side, Hobart Olympic, 1-0 at home at Kelvedon Park through an 18^th-minute goal by Jonathon Mathers.

Zebra’s Aaron Brazendale confronts his Devonport opponent

Launceston City overcame Northern Rangers 3-1 in a penalty shoot-out after the sides were level at 1-1 after extra-time.

A penalty by Alex Brownlie gave City the lead, but Simon Petrusma’s equaliser took the game into extra-time and eventually a penalty shoot-out.

Brownlie, Justin Dyer and Roger Mies netted penalties for City, while only Derek Schipper was successful for Rangers.

City goalkeeper Lino Sciuli saved two penalties.

Ricky Self (Zebras) tries for a header 

Nelson Eastern Suburbs host Clarence United at North Warrane on Sunday in the remaining match of the round.