Division One and Reserve League Preview for the Weekend of 22-24 June 2007
Division One leaders Beachside should have few problems against second-last Nelson Eastern Suburbs at home at Sandown Park on Sunday.
Beachside will have striker Nick Gibson back after he played in the reserves last weekend in an attempt to regain form.
He was pleased with his performance and feels he is ready to rejoin the action in the club’s senior side.
Gibson will replace Tom Sherman, who deputised for him last weekend in the 5-1 win over Northern Suburbs-DOSA.
Beachside captain, Ben Davis, is versatile if nothing else. He will retain his berth at centre-back, a position at which he is now excelling.
“We gained a lot of confidence after the win over DOSA and this should stand us in good stead for this game against Nelson,” said Gibson.
Richard Flood returns to the Nelson line-up after a 4-week absence in placed of Ricky Chew.
“We are still struggling with injuries, but played well last week against Kingborough,” said Nelson coach, Michael Roach.
“We’ve had a couple of tight matches with Beachside this year in the summer cup and in the league first round and the players are determined to get something out of this match.”
Nelson Eastern Suburbs released the following playing list for the match: Martinez, Hoppitt, Bradburn, Upton, John Wallace, Flood, Marsh, Wojcik, Luke Wallace Gibbs, Lewis Gazzignato, Hanley, Thomas Roach, Chew, Eyles, Andrews, Rudewych, Bradburn, Walker, Sakul, Andrews, Michael Roach.
Sixth-placed Northern Suburbs-DOSA should make light work of bottom-side Huon Valley away at Ranelagh on Saturday.
Derek Parry is unavailable for DOSA and will be replaced by Ryan Murphy, while Calvin Frith has work commitments and will also miss the trip to the deep South.
“Despite the freezing conditions, both training sessions this week have been sharp, with an emphasis on accuracy of passes and shots,” said DOSA coach, Stephen Pitchford.
“I am looking forward to the successful transition from practice to reality on the weekend.”
Fifth-ranked Kingborough Lions United face a huge task against second-placed South Hobart at home at Lightwood Park on Sunday.
Luke Appleby is doubtful for the Lions after suffering a corked thigh, but the rest of the line-up will be unchanged from that which beat Nelson Eastern Suburbs 3-2 last weekend.
“South gave us a touch along last time we met and they’ll be hard to beat,” said Lions coach, Tim Dale. “We hope we’ll give a better account of ourselves this time around.
“Hobart United did beat them last week, but that’s no comfort for us because United also beat us the previous weekend.”
Fourth-placed Hobart United are looming as potential title winners and should be good enough to topple second-last Christian United away at Sherburd on Saturday.
Hobart United have three wins and a draw from their past four outings and are only six points behind leaders Beachside.
Last weekend, Hobart United beat the previously undefeated South Hobart and Christian United will be hard-pressed to stop the visitors.
Third-ranked Kingston Cannons, who are one point off the pace, have the bye.
DIVISION ONE (As at 17 June 2007))
|
TEAM |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
Pts |
|
Beachside |
8 |
6 |
1 |
1 |
35 |
13 |
19 : 5 |
|
South Hobart |
8 |
6 |
1 |
1 |
32 |
10 |
19 : 5 |
|
Kingston Cannons |
8 |
6 |
0 |
2 |
26 |
22 |
18 : 6 |
|
Hobart United |
8 |
4 |
1 |
3 |
14 |
10 |
13 : 11 |
|
Kingborough Lions United |
8 |
4 |
0 |
4 |
25 |
19 |
12 : 12 |
|
Northern Suburbs-DOSA |
8 |
3 |
1 |
4 |
13 |
19 |
10 : 14 |
|
Nelson Eastern Suburbs |
8 |
2 |
2 |
4 |
9 |
18 |
8 : 16 |
|
Christian United |
8 |
2 |
0 |
6 |
13 |
24 |
6 : 18 |
In the Reserve League, the top-of-the-table clash between leaders South Hobart and second-placed Kingborough Lions United at Lightwood Park on Saturday should be a no-holds-barred contest.
South appear to have a better attack and a stronger defence and this should see them home.
Third-placed Hobart Olympic entertain third-last Taroona at the Athletic Centre on Sunday and the home side should be too experienced for the visitors.
Fourth-placed University visit KGV Park on Friday evening to take on seventh-placed Glenorchy Knights.
The Students may not be at full strength because of the requirements of the senior side and this may even the gap between the two sides.
Tilford Zebras, in fifth place, should have the edge over second-last Metro-Claremont away at North Chigwell on Sunday, while sixth-placed Clarence United are the likely winners when they host bottom-side New Town Eagles at Wentworth Park on Saturday.
RESERVE LEAGUE (As at 17 June 2007)
|
TEAM |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
Pts |
|
South Hobart |
10 |
9 |
0 |
1 |
39 |
9 |
27 : 3 |
|
Kingborough Lions United |
10 |
6 |
2 |
2 |
27 |
16 |
20 : 10 |
|
Hobart Olympic |
10 |
6 |
1 |
3 |
23 |
15 |
19 : 11 |
|
University |
10 |
6 |
0 |
4 |
22 |
17 |
18 : 12 |
|
Tilford Zebras |
10 |
5 |
0 |
5 |
25 |
23 |
15 : 15 |
|
Clarence United |
10 |
4 |
2 |
4 |
20 |
19 |
14 : 16 |
|
Glenorchy Knights |
10 |
3 |
1 |
6 |
19 |
29 |
10 : 20 |
|
Taroona |
10 |
3 |
0 |
7 |
12 |
25 |
9 : 21 |
|
Metro-Claremont |
10 |
2 |
2 |
6 |
11 |
31 |
8 : 22 |
|
New Town Eagles |
10 |
1 |
2 |
7 |
11 |
25 |
5 : 25 |