Walter Pless on Football

By Walter Pless

Premier League, Kelvedon Park, Sunday, 1 July 2007

Taroona 0

Clarence United 3 (Walsh 28, 56, Chapman 75)

HT: 0-1 Att: 120 Ref: K Barker

Taroona (3-5-2): R Hortle - C Carey - S Flonta, B Horgan - J Mathers, R Harris (H MacGregor 68), B Gasparinatos, M Atkinson (J Elliot 46), C Cox - M Wells (K De Yong 62), D Palmer [Substitute not used: B Mathews] [Coach: M Rhodes]

Clarence United (4-4-2): M Moschogianis - G Stevens, S Cannamela, T Ling, B Parker - K Emmanueli, J McMahon, J Wise, M Hunt (M Chapman 62) - P Bremner, D Walsh [Substitutes not used: M Edwards, P Evans, J Darby] [Coach: A Brown]

Clarence United won their third Premier League match in a row when they beat Taroona 3-0 away at Kelvedon Park to maintain fourth spot on the ladder, six points adrift of leaders Hobart Zebras, two behind second-placed South Hobart and one behind third-ranked Hobart Olympic.

Clarence were technically and tactically superior to Taroona and fully deserved their win, a fact acknowledged by Taroona coach, Matthew Rhodes,

Dwayne Walsh netted twice and substitute Matthew Chapman once.

Taroona were without defender Felix Abetz, who was dropped for disciplinary reasons, while Marcus Atkinson came off injured at half-time and was replaced by Chapman.

Taroona’s lack of pace in attack was evident, while it was outclassed in midfield and created few chances. Martyn Wells received very poor service and was rarely a threat as a consequence.

Robert Hortle showed his class as early as the 13^th minute when he got down to tip Julian McMahon’s superb low drive just wide of the far post.

A minute after that chance, Emmanueli crossed from the right and found Chris Hunt at the far post, but he prodded the ball wide.

In the 18^th minute, Emmanueli out-foxed Jon Mathers on the right of the box but fired against the far post and Hortle was able to smother the ball before it crossed the line.

Kenyi Emmanueli squandered a glorious chance in the 21^st minute after Chris Hunt’s pass from the left. Emmanueli’s first touch was poor as the ball bobbled on the uneven surface and he got no power into his lob. Cian Carey was able to clear the ball over his own crossbar and to safety.

Taroona were then thwarted as they launched a rare attack, Michael Moschogianis moving to the edge of the box quickly and intercepting a pass aimed at Daniel Palmer.

A misplaced back-pass by Ben Horgan gifted Walsh the opening goal in the 28^th minute. Walsh made it very difficult for himself when he ran wide, but he recovered well and smashed the ball high into the roof of the net past goalkeeper Hortle, who replaced the injured Michael McKenna. McKenna is out for the season with a back injury.

Walsh made it 2-0 shortly after the break from Kenyi Emmanueli’s pass from the right.

Billy Gasparinatos should have pulled a goal back for the home side in the 61^st minute when he collected a pass from Palmer on the left and cut inside to beat Toby Ling, but he incredibly shot over the bar from point-blank range.

In the 67^th minute, Paul Bremner fired over the bar when presented with a chance by Matthew Chapman.

Chapman added the third in the 75^th minute after Julian McMahon drove Emmanueli’s over-hit corner back into the box.

Taroona’s lack of pace in attack was evident with the departure of Wells as both Kurt De Yong and Palmer were given through-balls to chase, only to be thwarted by the quick Clarence defence.

TAROONA		CLARENCE UNITED
10	Goal Attempts	20
2	Shots on Target	8
2	Corners	7
11	Fouls Committed	16
5	Off-Sides	3
0	Yellow Cards	0
0	Red Cards	0

Taroona:

PLAYER	GOAL ATTEMPTS	SHOTS ON TARGET
Gasparinatos	2	0
Harris	1	1
Wells	2	1
Atkinson	1	0
Cox	1	0
Mathers	2	0
De Yong	1	0

Clarence United:

PLAYER	GOAL ATTEMPTS	SHOTS ON TARGET
Emmanueli	5	2
McMahon	2	2
Hunt	2	0
Walsh	5	3
Wise	1	0
Bremner	1	0
Parker	2	0
Chapman	2	1

In the day’s other match, sixth-placed Glenorchy Knights downed seventh-ranked Kingborough Lions United 2-0 at Lightwood Park through first-half goals by Josh Fielding and Nick Harrison.

Warren Iles hit the woodwork for the Lions.

In the Reserve League curtain-raiser, Clarence beat Taroona 2-0 through goals by Alan Jablonski and Tom Nicholls.