Walter Pless on Football

By Walter Pless

This weekend throws up some fascinating encounters in the Premier League, with the title finally to be decided and with possibly the last dice to be thrown in the relegation play-off battle.

Tilford Zebras should clinch the title by beating third-last New Town Eagles at home at KGV Park on Friday night.

That should make Sunday’s match at Olinda Grove between University and second-placed South Hobart a non-event.

Hugh Ludford - South Hobart

But, stranger things have happened in football.

But, let’s deal with first things first.

Eagles managed to hold Zebras to a 1-1 draw at Clare Street on June 10 in their first-round clash.

It was Eagles’ first point of the season.

Eagles recently beat Glenorchy Knights 1-0 at KGV Park, which was a bit of a surprise. Considering the Knights’ poor form in the latter half of the season, though, it wasn’t entirely unexpected.

Eagles coach Ian Parker

Barring any shock, though, Zebras should win comfortably and collect the silverware.

South Hobart should have few problems against a University outfit that will be without midfield dynamo Mark Rapley, who is unavailable. Rapley, who also has a broken finger - which didn’t keep him out of last weekend’s game - has gone on a three-week skiing holiday and last Sunday’s game against Clarence was his last at senior level for the club.

Mark Rapley - career at the top level over 

“Mark Rapley is away on a skiing holiday for the next three weeks and so has finished,” said University coach, Matthew Shaw.

“He does not intend to play at this level again, but may appear in the social leagues.

“Family and work mean that he cannot afford the time commitment to continue.

“Mark has played at University since 1994 and was an integral part of our title-winning sides in 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2001 and 2003.

“Mark was also part of the State-wide Cup winning side last season.

“He is one of the best players I have played with in my time at University and the competition will be poorer for not having someone of his ability playing in it anymore.

“Apart from Mark, everyone else who played last week should be available before they all disappear on planned holiday for the university break after the game.

“It would be nice for the side to put on a good performance for what is the final run this season for most.

“We know we will be up against it and that we must cut out some of our lapses.

“This season has seen a number of players who have rarely played at Premier League level get a consistent run in the side and have a chance to test themselves at this level.

“They have acquitted themselves quite well and, hopefully, will be better for the experience in coming seasons.”

University defender John Merry is injured, but he may be included on the bench, while striker-cum-midfielder Aaron Hindmarsh is definitely ruled out because of injury.

It’s starting to look good for Metro-Claremont, who must face University in a replay on 1 September.

At the other end of the ladder, the fight against a relegation play-off continues, with bottom-side Metro-Claremont away to second-last Taroona at Kelvedon Park on Saturday.

Taroona hope to have striker Martyn Wells fit, while winger Jon Mathers is available after returning from interstate.

 
Martyn Wells -  fitness hope

Striker Julian Timmins may be promoted to the seniors after impressing in the reserves last weekend.

“We were disappointed with our performance last week and will be looking for a big improvement this week to make sure we get a win and avoid the relegation play-off,” said Taroona’s Ben Horgan.

“At least we defended better in the second half against South Hobart, and our guys will have learnt a lot from playing against such high-quality opposition.

“We always look better when we try and attack teams and a defensive style of play doesn’t suit us, but we do need to work a lot harder when we lose possession.

Matthew Gasparin

The team won’t be finalised until we see how everyone puts in at training on Thursday night, but coach Greg McVeigh has already indicated there are likely to be some changes to last week’s side.”

Metro have a game in hand - against University on 1 September, and a game that is looking increasingly easier for Metro to win - but they must still beat Taroona they are to avoid the relegation play-off.

The visitors will adopt an attacking formation with three up front - Shane Kent, James Hope and Adam McKeown.

New signing from Hobart United, Mohand Rahni, will be in the starting line-up in place of the injured Darrin Chaffey.

 
Mohand Rahni - first eleven

Metro have trained this week on a pitch marked out to the same dimensions as Kelvedon Park and practised game situations likely to be encountered.

“After a wasted opportunity last week against the Eagles, you can be assured that Metro FC will come out full of enthusiasm against the Taroona Soccer Club this Saturday,” said Metro coach, Matthew Gasparin.

“The team will attack this game with a ‘nothing to lose’ attitude knowing that the lads from Taroona are in a precarious position of trying to hold onto their three-point buffer.

“With nothing to lose, Metro FC will be playing a very attacking brand of soccer this week. We’ll more than likely have three up front for the majority of the game.

Metro scrum

“Partnering captain Shane Kent up front will be James Hope and possibly Adam McKeown.

“This will allow Mohand Rahni to make his first full appearance for Metro, more than likely in a defensive role, at the expense of Darrin Chaffey, who is still recovering from a heavy knock to the head sustained against Eagles last week.

“Training this week has been particularly pleasing, with youngsters Phil Curran and Adrian Lawler carrying on their good form from previous weeks in simulated games, played on the same sized pitch as Kelverdon Park will present this weekend.”

Clarence United cannot be displaced from fourth spot and will field a young side for the trip to Lightwood Park on Saturday to take on sixth-placed Kingborough Lions United.

Clarence will miss experienced midfielder Scott Hadley, who has work commitments, while Chris Hunt (back/ankle) and Dwayne Walsh (groin) are doubtful because of injury.

 
Veteran Scott Hadley will miss the final match prior to retiring

Goalkeeper Michael Moschogianis returns after work commitments kept him out last weekend.

“We’re looking forward to finishing off what has been a very good year for CUFC,” said Clarence coach, Andrew Brown.

“Women’s Premier League side in the final of SWC, men’s Premier League side fourth, the reserves second, and the under-19s champions.

“The Academy program was always going to be a success, but the appointment of Michael Edwards ensured the Academy was an outstanding success.

“CUFC shall look to bear the bountiful fruit of the Academy for seasons to come.

“On Sunday, I shall again offer opportunities to young and aspiring players from the Academy, against a Lions outfit that has under achieved in 2007.

“I expect a high-quality game, with both clubs parading some of the future young stars of our beautiful game.”

The remaining match of the weekend is at the Athletic Centre on Sunday, where third-placed Hobart Olympic entertain fifth-ranked Glenorchy Knights.

Olympic could lose third spot to Clarence if they go down to the Knights and if Clarence beat Kingborough, so the home side will be in determined mood.

Olympic will be without suspended striker Kosta Grillas, who is suspended after being sent off against Kingborough last week, having scored both goals in the 2-2 draw.

Kosta Grillas - will be missing due to suspension

Knights will miss defender Jayden Wiggins, who has work commitments, and midfielder Josh Fielding, who has an ankle injury.

Janko Begovic and Nick Harrison return from suspension, while Kellan Pringle is available again after missing last week’s game.

Youngsters Lindsay Millington, Brodie Green and Martin Cairns will be included in the squad.

Only four senior Knights players trained this week and the rest of the group were under-19s, so things are looking good for Olympic.

Premier League Standings (as at 19 August 2007)

TEAM	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Tilford Zebras	17	13	3	1	59	17	42 : 9
South Hobart	17	12	3	2	42	13	39 : 12
Hobart Olympic	17	10	3	4	37	19	33 : 19
Clarence United	17	9	4	4	32	26	31 : 21
Glenorchy Knights	17	7	3	7	31	36	24 : 28
Kingborough Lions United	17	6	3	8	25	30	21 : 31
University	16	4	3	9	25	33	15 : 37
New Town Eagles	17	2	5	10	14	33	11 : 41
Taroona	17	3	2	12	16	46	11 : 41
Metro-Claremont	16	1	5	10	20	48	8 : 44