Division One and Reserve League Preview for the Weekend of 29 June – 1 July 2007
By Walter Pless
Beachside could well extend their 3-point lead at the top of the Division One ladder this weekend, but iy will depend on other results rather than their own.
Jacob Cavanagh - rising star for Beachside
They must surely beat bottom-side Huon Valley away at Ranelagh on Saturday and collect three points.
Beachside beat Huon Valley 6-2 in the first round at home at Sandown Park and must be a strong favourite to do the double.
Ben Davis - starring in defence for Beachside
The goals are being shared throught the Beachside team and this highlights the all-round strength of Tony Kavanagh’s side.
Nick Gibson - star striker for Beachside
Second-placed South Hobart must also be the favourites against seventh-placed Nelson Eastern Suburbs at Wellesley Park on Sunday.
Owen Roberts - South Hobart stalwart
A South Hobart loss could see Beachside open up a lead of at least four points and possibly six, but this will depend on how third-placed Kingston Cannons go against sixth-ranked Northern Suburbs-DOSA at Sherburd on Saturday.
Andy Wilson - key player for South Hobart
The remaining match of the round is at Sherburd on Sunday when second-last Christian United host fourth-placed Kingborough Lions United.
Nelson will have John Wallace, Paul Gazzignato and Corey Upton back for the game against South Hobart.
They replace Bill Hanley, who is interstate, Troy Hoppitt, who has had his wisdom teeth extracted, and Aaron Wojcik, who is injured.
“We were not good enough last week against Beachside to get a result and have a number of changes this week due to player unavailability,” said Nelson coach, Michael Roach.
“The players coming in should give a good account of themselves, however.”
Nelson lost 2-0 to South Hobart in the first round and this will be even more difficult as it is away from home.
DOSA coach, Stephen Pitchford, has no illusions about the task facing his side against the Cannons.
“Having been stung by the 3-0 loss to Cannons in the first round, there will be no complacency when DOSA visits Sherburd Oval for the re-match,” said Pitchford.
“Having found some goal-scoring form in the second half last week against Huonville, we will be taking the same formation into the game in the hope that the 7 goals can be repeated this week.
“Attackers Derek Story, Mark Wakefield and Ryan Murphy will be supported by attacking midfielders Richard Korn and Rob Wilson.
“Calvin Frith will be on the bench, as will Derek Parry, despite him scoring a hat-trick in the reserves last week.”
Christian United will have Isaac Lucas back in the starting line-up after an injury concern confined him to the substitutes’ bench for the first half of last week’s 2-2 draw with Hobart United.
Scott Nicholson may also make a comeback to the senior side after recovering from a hamstring injury which kept him out for the past six weeks.
“It’s likely to be a scrappy match against Kingborough due to the quality of the pitch,” said Christian United spokesman, Jonathon Wierenga.
“The last time these two teams met, the score-line was a blow-out [7-0 for Kingborough], but this time it should be much closer.”
Fifth-placed Hobart United have the bye.
In the Reserve League, leaders South Hobart travel to KGV park on Friday evening to take on fifth-placed Tilford Zebras.
South Hobart won the first-round encounter 4-2 and should be untroubled in making it a double.
Second-placed Hobart Olympic are at home at the Athletic Centre on Saturday against second-last Metro-Claremont.
Olympic beat Metro 2-0 at North Chigwell earlier in the season and should gain another three points from this encounter, particularly with Hermanathan Nagarathnam regaining fitness in this side since returning from Malaysia.
Third-placed Kingborough Lions United trounced Glenorchy Knights 5-2 in their first meeting of the season at KGV park and may well repeat the dose at Lightwood Park on Sunday.
Lions will be without the suspended Chase McConnon.
Fourth-placed University will be weakened by the enforced promotion of several players to the senior side and this may give an advantage to bottom-side New Town Eagles.
Mark Broadbent’s Eagles outfit may just earn the three points that would move them off the foot of the ladder.
Sixth-ranked Clarence United travel to Kelvedon Park to tackle eighth-placed Taroona.
Taroona won the first-round encounter 2-1 away at Wentworth Park and will be confident on their own turf.