Division One and Reserve League Preview for the Weekend of 15-17 June 2007
By Walter Pless
South Hobart do have some problems in terms of fielding their strongest line-up, but coach Jed Donoghue should come up with some strategies to counter any shortfalls in personnel.
Bernhard Klasen is South Hobart’s biggest loss, but it’s not as if they have had him in the side in recent weeks anyway.
Klasen is a match-winner on his day. Equally at home in attack or midfield, he can dictate play and score decisive goals, be it in open play or from set-pieces. He is injury prone, however, and South have learned to live without him for long spells.
Huw Jarvis is another important player who will miss this game. He is currently visiting Japan.
Andy Wilson is in doubt because of injury and, if he is fit, it will be some compensation for the loss of Klasen and Jarvis.
Hobart United will be without defender Jacob Kuel and Ian Walker comes into the side to replace him.
Promising youngster David Jay was sent off last weekend and is suspended. But, Ashley King is coming back from injury and will take the vacant berth.
Title aspirants Beachside, currently in second place, visit the Showgrounds on Saturday to tackle fifth-ranked Northern Suburbs-DOSA. Beachside will be without their talisman Nick Gibson, who is out of form and will be given a run in the reserves. Tom Sherman will be his replacement.
Gibson is unlikely to go to the USA this season as earlier planned because he has had problems obtaining a visa. He has also been copping a lot of stick on an American soccer website about his proposed move to Florida. Questions have been asked about his pedigree and ability to play at that level in America. It is interesting to note that he has responded to the jibes.
Sam Howarth retains his midfield berth for Beachside, who are far from certain of victory.
“DOSA are our bogey team and we need to beat them to stay in contention for the title,” said Gibson.
“But, we’ve only beaten them twice in ten meetings and we’ve never won at the Showgrounds.”
DOSA will miss Ryan Murphy because of an ankle injury, but Brendan Lietz has recovered from a similar injury and will be on stand-by should Derek Parry not recover from a thigh strain. Calvin Frith is available but will play in the reserves because of the fine form of Steve Crawford, who did well in defence last week.
“The squad is confident of improving on the State-wide Cup performance against Beachside and winning within the 90 minutes,” said DOSA coach, Stephen Pitchford.
Third-placed Kingston Cannons meet second-last Christian United at Sherburd on Saturday in a local derby and coach John Cionci is reasonably confident of victory.
The Cannons, formerly known as Rapid, will have youngsters Ahmed Mohamad and Taeed Anis in the side, but goalkeeper Richard Fox is still suspended.
John Heiremann filled in last weekend and may be nominated to play in goal again.
Sixth-placed Kingborough Lions United are at home to seventh-ranked Nelson Eastern Suburbs at
“They’ll come here determined to win,” said Kingborough’s coach, Tim Dale. “They’ll give a good account of themselves.”
Nelson will have key play-maker Luke Wallace back after a three-week absence because of a hamstring injury. Damien Bradburn returns after missing last weekend’s match, while John Wallace and Lewis Gibbs are omitted from the starting line-up.
In the Reserve League, leaders South Hobart are at home to second-last Metro-Claremont at South Hobart on Sunday. Metro moved off the bottom of the ladder last weekend with a 2-1 win over Taroona, but this will be much tougher and they cannot have much hope of picking up even a point.
Second-placed Kingborough Lions United travel the short distance up the Southern Outlet on Saturday to take on fourth-ranked University. Five points separate the teams and University may just be worth a draw on their home turf.
Third-placed Hobart Olympic entertain bottom-side New Town Eagles at the Athletic Centre on Saturday. This appears a one-side fixture, but with Olympic’s senior side missing key personnel, the reserves may be weakened as players are promoted to the senior ranks.
Mark Broadbent’s Eagles will be hoping for an upset here and a point or even three to lift them off the foot of the ladder.
Fifth-ranked Tilford Zebras host eighth-placed Taroona at KGV
Sixth-placed Clarence United is a mere point ahead of seventh-ranked Glenorchy Knights and their clash at Wentworth