Walter Pless on Football

Glenorchy Knights 0-1 Kingborough Lions United

By Walter Pless
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Glenorchy Knights were missing key defenders Begovic and Dzelalija, but they started well enough with While having to head Fielding’s dangerous corner clear in the opening minutes.

Huigsloot’s header was also dangerous, while Clay should really have hit the target when put clean through in the inside-left channel just before the interval.

But, it was Bevan who put Kingborough Lions United ahead in the 18th minute direct from a corner, the ball somehow finding a way through a crowded goal area before lodging inside the far corner of the net.

Kingborough sought unsuccessfully to increase their lead in the second half.  One of their best chances came 10 minutes after the resumption when Palmer casually worked his way past two defenders, only to shoot wide.

With 5 minutes remaining, a fumble by Coleman gave possession to Knights substitute Minnucci, but he blazed wide.

Three minutes from the end, While tried his luck from long range, but the ball cleared the crossbar.

Upton was again excellent for Kingborough.  He defended well, was creative in midfield and was never afraid to join in the attack.  When he needed to, he was hard in the tackle and Knights were never able to find a way past the experienced and skilled veteran.

The loss leaves the Knights bottom of Group B, while Kingborough retained second place, two points adrift of leaders Tilford Zebras, who slipped up with a goalless draw against Clarence United.

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• Glenorchy Knights joint player-coach, Josh Fielding, said:

“It was a different kind of game.

“We had three defenders out today, which made it very hard.  Tony Dzelalija pulled out at the last moment.

“We had to change from a four-man defence to a three-man defence.

“There were some good passages of play.

“I think we were unlucky to lose, but we probably weren’t lucky enough to win it either, so a draw would have been a fair result, I would have thought.”

• Kingborough Lions United coach, Geoff Freeman, said:

“A much better performance than the first week.

“I missed last week and didn’t really get to see it, but apparently the intensity went up a little bit last week and I think we lifted again tonight.

“We were slow starting.  It probably took us until about the 12th minute before we actually got the ball on the deck and played it around and then, I think, we sort of slowly but surely got a little bit of a hold on the midfield and then took it from there.

“I was happy with the passing, especially keeping the ball on the deck and knocking it around and making them work hard.”

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Glenorchy Knights:  Peter;  Grundy, Cano, Russell, Harrison, M Cairns, Green, Fielding, Clay, T Huigsloot, Puclin (Substitutes:  Triffett, Minnucci)

Booked:  Harrison

Kingborough Lions United:  Coleman;  A Kerr, Iseli, Brown, McConnon, Bevan, Andrews, While, Upton, Palmer, Bremner (Substitutes:  Voss, Giomataris)

Goals:  Bevan 18

Ref:  C Phillips

Att:  150 (KGV Park, Friday, 29 September 2008)

Tilford Zebras 0-0 Clarence United

By Walter Pless
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Tilford Zebras dropped their first point of the tournament when they were held to a 0-0 draw in the regulation 60 minutes by Clarence United before winning the penalty shoot-out 4-2 to earn the bonus point.

It was an unimpressive display by the cup-holders, but they remain on course for retaining their title and they still top Group B of the competition.

Pullen was rested because of a niggling injury, even though he was listed on the team sheet as a substitute.  How they could have used him!

Clarence had Moschogianis in goal after he missed last week’s match and he was well worth his place, saving a penalty by Brazendale midway through the second half to keep the match scoreless.

Huigsloot had conceded the penalty when he up-ended Fennell on the corner of the box.

Brazendale’s spot-kick, to Moschogianis’s left, lacked power and the keeper comfortably scooped the ball to safety.

Clarence had the better chances in the opening half and could conceivably have led 3-0 at the break.

In the 11th minute, a weakly struck back-pass by Telega put Walsh in possession and clear, but, with only Mainella to beat, he fired wide of the target.

Seconds later, Zebras’ frustration showed when Cairns was booked for ruthlessly chopping down Hunt.

In the 17th minute, Hunt fired tamely into the side-netting when he should have scored.

Walsh repeated the effort on the other side in the 22nd minute, also firing into the side-netting when well placed.

Lapolla was cautioned in the final minute as Zebras’ again allowed their frustration to bubble to the surface.

In the penalty shoot-out, Kamba fired Clarence into the lead and Crosswell equalised with his spot-kick.

Moschogianis spoiled his evening’s work when he had his penalty saved by Mainella, while Brazendale atoned for his earlier laxity by netting his and giving the Zebras a 2-1 lead.

Ben Hamlett then fired wide to give the Zebras the upper hand and Fennell confirmed this by scoring and making it 3-1.

Emmanueli netted to keep Clarence’s hopes alive, but when Venettacci rifled home his side’s fourth spot-kick it was all over at 4-2 and the bonus point went to the Zebras.

They now lead Group B with 8 out of a possible 9 points from three matches.

Clarence moved off the foot of the ladder, a point ahead of Glenorchy Knights, who lost 1-0 to Kingborough Lions United and now occupy last place in the group.

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• Tilford Zebras coach, Nick Lapolla, said:

“That was an eye-opener.

“We were awful and the players knew it and they’ve been brought back to earth.”

• Clarence United coach, Andrew Brown, said:

“I think, bit by bit, we’re improving.

“I still think that, obviously, South Hobart will be the team to beat.

“Everyone talks Zebras, but we’ve shown everyone that Zebras are more than beatable.

“We’re young and we lost a bit of composure in the second half, partly because Zebras are a bit older, a bit stronger, a bit wiser and, physically, they stepped up a gear.

“My young boys had difficulty adjusting.

“I mean, they did very well, but then they couldn’t dominate.

“But, when the season comes around, I think we’ll be a little bit fitter and a little bit wiser and more able to cope with the physical intimidation.”

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Tilford Zebras:  Mainella;  Fagg, A Telega, Connolly, Brazendale, P Cairns, C Cox, Symmons, Self, Lapolla, Crosswell (Substitutes:  Venettacci, Fennell, Pullen)

Booked:  Cairns 11, Lapolla 60

Penalties:  Crosswell, Brazendale, Fennell, Venettacci

Clarence United:  Moschogianis;  Cannamela, Ling, J Huigsloot, Walsh, Lewis, McMahon, B Hamlett, Hunt, Stevens, Nicholson (Substitutes:  Undy, T Hamlett, Kamba, Emmanueli)

Penalties:  Kamba, Emmanueli

Ref:  D Gadd

Att:  200 (KGV Park, Friday, 29 February 2008)

Division One and Reserve Summer Cup Preview for 1 March 2008

By Walter Pless
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Hobart United can maintain their lead at the top of the Division One Summer Cup ladder by beating Beachside at Olinda Grove at 11.30am on Saturday.

United, who have yet to concede a goal and have two wins from two outings, welcome back goalkeeper Nathan Grandin after an ankle injury.

Club president Adrian Pickin filled in between the posts last weekend, when United won 3-0 against Nelson Eastern Suburbs.

Coach Tony Tarros will see his team in action for the first time as he has been away attending coaching courses for the past two weekends.

Beachside obtained their first win in two games last weekend and should prove a threat to United.

Equal ladder leaders New Town Eagles face Nelson Eastern Suburbs at Olinda Grove at 10am without the suspended Ben Michell and the injured Steve Louden.

John Holliday and Sam Calvert will be the replacements, but there is also a doubt about Adam Jones, who has an ankle injury.

If Jones cannot play, new signing from University, Kim Wiggins, will make his debut.

“We will miss our captain, Steve Louden, in the heart of defence, but morale is high after two close wins, which is evident at our training sessions this week when up to 25 senior and reserve squad members have been present,” said joint Eagles coach, Martin Nidorfer.

Nelson will introduce key players Tom Roach and Richard Flood into defence and midfield, respectively, while Nick Roberts returns after missing last week’s match.

Captain Bill Hanley is still doubtful through injury, while Drew Bannister, Ben Gibson, Natsuki Futumura and Justin Bradburn have been omitted.  Richard Warren, 17, will make his debut.

“I’m only concerned about the early start because my guys will have been out clubbing on Friday night while those old guys from Eagles will have been tucked up in bed by 7pm and will be fresh on Saturday morning,” said Nelson coach, Michael Roach.

Saturday’s remaining match is between Kingston Cannons and Christian United at 1pm.

In the Premier Reserves section of the Summer Cup, Glenorchy Knights have signed Derrick Parry and Aaron McGurk from DOSA in time for today’s match against Kingborough at South Hobart at 5pm.

Neither player trained twice this week, however, and coach Richard Korn may make them wait a little longer for their debuts.  Knights are also pursuing DOSA’s Jonathon Bellette.

“Kingborough finished quite a few places above Glenorchy in the reserves in 2007, so I won’t be too concerned with the result, but I’ll be more focussed on having an initial look at where our players are at,” said Korn.

“Then we’ll know what we need to work on most so we’re as prepared as possible for the first league game of the season on 28th March.”

In other Reserve section games at South Hobart on Saturday, Tilford Zebras take on Clarence United at 9.30am, Metro meet University at 11am and Taroona play South Hobart at 3.30pm.

Summer Cup Preview for the Weekend of 29 February 2008 and 1 March 2008

By Walter Pless
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Each team in the Premier League section of the Summer Cup can theoretically win 12 points from its group matches.

Tilford Zebras, the holders of the Cup, already have half that number  -  6 from a possible 6 on offer  -  after winning both their matches to date.

They should virtually clinch a place in the final by beating bottom-side Clarence United at KGV Park on Friday at 6.30pm in a Group B match.

Clarence looked poor last weekend in succumbing 1-0 to New Town Eagles, who haven’t exactly set the world on fire themselves.

With striker Paul Bremner unavailable (he is a medical student and is working in the north of the State), defender Sam Cannamela doubtful, and midfielder Kenyi Emmanueli having missed training all week, it looks bleak for Clarence.

Michael Moschogianis, who was absent last weekend because of cricket commitments, will return in goal for Clarence, but it will take more than a goalkeeper to stop the Zebras juggernaut.

Not that the Zebras don’t have weaknesses.  They have conceded at least two soft goals when goalkeeper Frank Mainella has been left exposed as low crosses have been directed at either the near or far posts.

Michael Connolly, Henry Fagg and Andrew Telega will need to ensure they cover opposing attackers and provide a defensive shield for their keeper.

Ryan Smith is certainly missed in the centre of the defence and the sooner James Symmons gets fit and into this position the better it will be for Nick Lapolla’s men.

The second match on the program at KGV on Friday evening (at 8pm) is also a Group B match  -  third-placed Kingborough Lions United against fourth-ranked Glenorchy Knights.

A loss for either will effectively put them out of contention, whereas a Kingborough win will give the Lions some hope.

This all goes to make the lack of semi-finals in the competition an even greater pity as it won’t be long before some sides have nothing left to play for.

Kingborough have a good record against the Knights at KGV and this should be a close and hardly-fought contest.

Kingborough defender Garry Upton could hold the key to the outcome.  He organises his defence well and also joins in the attack in a very effective manner.

He strikes the ball beautifully and must surely score soon, either from a set-piece or from open play when he is attacking.

Peter While and Brett Andrews have scored for the Lions so far in this tournament and will be a threat to the Knights, while the inclusion of midfielder Charles White is a distinct possibility in such an important match.

The Knights cannot be discounted, as long as several of the players are not still carrying hangovers following Janko Begovic’s wedding last weekend.

Sacha Puclin has performed well since being plucked from last year’s reserves and his flicks, while twisting himself into all sorts of shapes, following high balls out of defence by goalkeeper Ben Peter, have resulted in dangerous attacks and even led to a goal and a near miss against the Zebras a couple of weeks ago.

Jade Clay is fast and clever down the flanks, while Martin Cairns is also showing a flair for attacking play.

Elmer Cano still needs match fitness and must be more reliable at the back, but the Knights will be difficult to beat and a penalty shoot-out may well be required to decide the outcome of this contest.

Why a penalty shoot-out, I don’t know.  What’s wrong with 90-minute games and three points for a win and one for a draw, as is the custom in cup competitions the world over?

On Saturday, Metro meet University and Taroona tackle South Hobart in Group A matches at South Hobart at 12.30pm and 2pm, respectively.

Metro are likely to miss goalkeeper Michael McKenna and striker Shane Kent, who will both probably be suspended after being sent off in the 6-3 loss to Riverside in last weekend’s Steve Hudson Cup match in Launceston.

University have won their solitary match to date and should scrape home in this meeting.

South Hobart’s resources will be stretched to the limit this weekend as the club has three games in Launceston, as well as Saturday’s match against Taroona.

South are participating in Launceston City’s 50th anniversary celebrations and are committed to playing in a four-team tournament involving City, Devonport City and NSW club Gladesville, while also having to face Launceston United on Sunday in the Steve Hudson Cup.

Injuries to several players may further hamper coach Ken Morton’s options.

On Saturday, Morton will have to field two senior sides at opposite ends of the State.  He will stay in Launceston to be in charge of the side playing there.

Some of his players (Daniel Brown and David Cooper, for example), however, will travel from Launceston to Hobart after Friday night’s game so that they can front up against Taroona at South Hobart on Saturday.

South are fortunate that it is Taroona they have to meet and not one of the other teams in the group.

Taroona will be without midfielder Duncan Carey and coach Ben Horgan, who will be attending Cian Carey’s wedding.

A win for South Hobart could put them in first place in Group A, but they may have to settle for second spot if University beat Metro.

Tilford Zebras 2-1 Kingborough Lions United

By Walter Pless
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Crosswell should have put Tilford Zebras ahead in the 9th minute when he did the hard part, only to fluff the easy bit.

He displayed excellent technique in controlling an awkward high cross from the right and outwit a defender, but after bringing the ball under control and setting himself up for the shot, he drove over the bar.

Kingborough took the lead seconds before half-time after a wonderful build-up out of defence.  The ball finally went to Walker on the right and his low cross was turned in by While.

The Zebras are clearly conceding goals via this route, as they first showed last week against Glenorchy Knights when Martin Cairns scored in similar fashion.

Zebras were level 8 minutes after the break when the unmarked Crosswell headed home Pullen’s cross from the left.

Pullen made it 2-1 midway through the second half when Lapolla cut the ball back and a team-mate dummied, allowing Pullen to stroke the ball home past Coleman.

Two wins from two outings puts Zebras top of Group B and well on course to retain the title.

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• Tilford Zebras coach, Nick Lapolla, said:

“It was cold and miserable out there today.

“We weren’t on our game today.  Not on our game.

“It’s good to get a win.  We’ll take it.   We can only go up.

“The boys were a bit flat today.”

• Kingborough Lions United coach, Warren Iles, said:

“Very happy.  Obviously, we don’t want to lose, but I’m happy.

“The first half was very good.  They were on to us pretty strong early and we weathered that and coped with things pretty well and got a good goal at the end.

“But, disappointed to concede two goals as we did, which came from two basic defensive situations which we didn’t deal with well, considering we defended so well for the rest of the game.

“That was probably a little disappointing.

“I think Gazz (Garry Upton) has strengthened us through the middle.  I think he’ll play a big part.

“Peter While was excellent again today, and so was young Ryan Bevan.

“Very pleased, but obviously not with losing.  It would have been nice to have hada  win or at least hung on for a draw.

“But, in terms of what we’re getting, we got another 60 minutes into everyone’s legs and it was pretty hard work out there today.

“So, happy, but unhappy at the same time sort of thing.”
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Tilford Zebras:  Mainella;  Fagg, A Telega, Connolly;  Self, Pullen, Cox, Cairns, Brazendale;  Lapolla, Crosswell (Substitutes:  Fennell, Venettacci)

Goals:  Crosswell 38, Pullen 46

Kingborough Lions United:  Coleman;  A Kerr, Iseli, Upton, Marchioli;  Brown, P While, Andrews, Bevan;  Walker, Giomataris (Substitutes:  Beaumont, Voss)

Goals:  While 30

HT:  0-1

Ref:  D Gadd

Att:  200 (Summer Cup, South Hobart, Saturday 23 February 2008)

Clarence United 0-1 New Town Eagles

By Walter Pless
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Clarence United were dealt a huge blow just before the game when both their goalkeepers were ruled out through injury. Central defender Ben Parker had to don the gloves and it was easy to see he had never played in goal before. As he himself joked just before the kick-off, his experience as a goalkeeper was limited to the warm-up before the game.

Clarence were let off the hook despite Parker’s inadequacies in the opening minutes by poor finishing.

Whitehall decided to go it alone at one stage and his shot was smothered, with Koroma unmarked to his left.

A lucky ricochet fell to Rybak early in the game and he smashed the ball into the empty net with Parker stranded. That was to be the only goal of the match.

Just before the break, Emmanueli, who had trained with Eagles in the summer, hit the woodwork, while seconds later he produced a dangerous low cross from the right which was cleared on the line by Savage.

Clarence’s big chance came in the 4th minute of the second half when Wass thumped Walsh in the back and floored the substitute striker. Mr Phillips pointed to the penalty spot, despite Telega’s protests.

Stevens appeared far too casual in his approach and it surprised no-one when he placed his spot-kick wide of the right-hand post.

Eagles’ keeper Pitchford was lucky not to concede a penalty in the second half when he elbowed an opponent in the box, but none of the officials saw the incident.

With 7 minutes of the half gone, Whitehall breached the Clarence defence and, with only the goalkeeper to beat, shot high over the bar.

In the closing minutes, Pitchford did very well to deny Bremner.

The three points put Eagles in equal second place with Kingborough Lions United in Group B of the Premier League section of the Summer Cup tournament.

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• Clarence United coach, Andrew Brown, said:

“It was our first game of the year and I thought we played quite well.

“Patchy to be perfectly honest with you, but I thought we played quite well.

“The final pass let us down on a number of occasions, and a missed penalty.

“It doesn’t help when you lose your number one and number two goalkeepers before the game, but to be fair, I thought Ben Parker did a serviceable job, and that’s about as polite as I’ll get about BP.”

• New Town Eagles coach, Ian Parker, said:

“I thought we were a tad better than we were last week.

“We knocked the ball around really well in the opening parts of the game.

“I was a little bit frustrated because we were making basic errors, which you can accept because we’re only two games in, so we looked a bit disjointed at times.

“We can certainly work on a lot of things.”
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Clarence United: Parker; Cannamela, Ling, Bremner, Lewis, Nicholson, Emmanueli, B Hamlett, Hunt, Stevens, Barabara (Substitutes: Undy, Huigsloot, Walsh)

New Town Eagles: Pitchford; Clark, Koroma, Leszczynski, Rybak, Vernon, W Savage, Whitehall, Wass, Wiggins, S Telega (Substitutes: Stingle, Shackcloth, Wakefield, McKeown)

Goals: Rybak 8

HT: 0-1

Ref: C Phillips

Att: 200 (South Hobart, Saturday, 23 February 2008)

University 1-0 Taroona

By Walter Pless
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University were missing many of their most experienced players and, with new coach Scott Gallacher in charge, were somewhat fortunate to come away with the three points.

Piesse, in the University goal, performed admirably and saved his side on at least two occasions, turning hot shots wide for corners.  This was probably the highest level at which the veteran has played and he made the most of it.

Taroona started strongly and Roberts hit the bar from long range in the 7th minute, while Ramirez struck a post in the 10th minute as University were firmly on the back foot.

Maddock almost put through his own net on the quarter-hour, but he and Piesse must have been hugely relieved as the firm back-pass shaved the outside of the far post.

University were awarded a penalty in the 25th minute when Flonta and Hagan sandwiched Zucco near the byline and inside the box.  Bull dispatched his spot-kick clinically to give the Students a 1-0 lead at the break.

A minute after the resumption, Ramirez attacked down the right, but his powerful shot from an acute angle sailed high over the crossbar.

Two minutes later, Cox fired just over the bar from 25 metres, while in the 40th minute, Zucco volleyed narrowly wide for University.

Taroona keeper Durant was having an excellent game and had obviously put last week’s disaster well and truly out of his mind.

Midway through the half, University defender Jackson appeared to handle a cross, but the appeals were half-hearted.

A minute later, Taroona were lucky not to fall further behind when Griffiths prodded the loose ball wide with Durant out of his goal and beaten.

Cox and Elliot tested Piesse as Taroona produced a late flurry of attacks, but the game ended with University on top and Bull missing a sitter and Proud being denied by Durant.

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• University coach, Scott Gallacher, said:

“It could have gone either way.

“Taroona played pretty well and had a few chances in what were difficult conditions.

“They’ve got a young team and we’ve got a fairly young team, too, so we’ve got a bit of work to do.

“I’m happy with the three points but, as I said, it could have gone either way.

“We were a bit sloppy at times, but we’re rebuilding.  One step at a time.”

• Taroona coach, Ben Horgan, said:

“We were unlucky, but it was an improvement on last week.

“Our goalkeeper had a great game.  After last week, I think he was pretty keen to make amends.

“We had chances, but we lack that bit of sharpness, I suppose, and balls went behind players instead of in front of them and they didn’t quite fall right for us.

“We need a few more games, I think.”

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University:  Piesse;  Maddock, Jackson, Merry, Griffiths, A Wilson, Bull, Manaka, Francis, Proud, Zucco (Substitutes:  J Wilson, Bath, Herron)

Goals:  Bull 25 pen

Taroona:  Durant;  Hagan, Roberts, Flonta, Atkinson, Brown, Elliot, Szoka, Macgregor, Ramirez, Cox (Substitutes:  Carey, Dove, Holmes, Allie)

HT:  1-0

Ref:  K Barker

Att:  100 (KGV Park, Friday, 22 February 2008)

Metro 0 – 5 Hobart Olympic

By Walter Pless
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Metro started the season in fine fashion with two wins from two outings in the northern and southern pre-season competitions, but this defeat made it two losses in a row, which indicates the bubble may have burst.

Coach Ahmed Abdaltam is still optimistic, however, and is pinning his hopes on the club’s youngsters.

Hobart Olympic were without the injured Yussef Mohamad (hamstring), Lee Mason and Hugh Richardson.

Metro kept Shane Kent on the bench at the start because of a hamstring strain.

Metro had some early chances, but once Olympic hit their stride there was no stopping them.

As the rain began to come down in buckets, so the goals flowed, too.

Backhaus, Bulis and Winter netted late in the first half to make it 3-0 at the break.

Larzabal added the fourth 6 minutes after the resumption, but he was carried off on a stretcher shortly after amid fears that he had damaged the same knee which had required surgery last season after he tore ligaments while training with Cruzeiro in Brazil. Fortunately, these fears were unfounded and the injury was not as bad as first thought.

Meredith made it 5-0 three minutes from the end when he skipped past a defender and placed a firm shot under the advancing goalkeeper.

The win puts Olympic top of Group A, a point ahead of Metro and University and two in front of South Hobart.

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Metro coach, Ahmed Abdaltam, said:

“I don’t think the result truly indicates how the game went.

“We attacked really well but missed a lot of chances before they even scored.

“But, they took their chances and the score-line reflected that.

“Our younger players learned a lot and next time we’ll be a hundred per cent better.”

Hobart Olympic coach, Farrell Shaw, said:

“It was a good win in trying conditions. It was very heavy out there underfoot and slippery.

“It was a good win and it was good to see that some of the problems we’ve had throughout the week are over now, which is good because players can now move on.

“A lot of the players are a lot more happier and we were able to add some players in.

“We still had three players out who are slightly injured - Lee Mason, Hugh Richardson and Yussef Mohamad - but I was very pleased.”
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Metro: Porter; Chaffey, Dawes, Rahni, Farley, Kelly, Lawler, Hope, T Kent, Marney, Robb (Substitutes: Morgan, S Kent, Curran, Brown, Guma).

Booked: Dawes

Hobart Olympic: Nester; P Tsakiris, C Tsakiris, Bulis, Kaproulias, Meredith, Backhaus, Larzabal, Hedge, Vavoulas, Lebski (Substitutes: Winter, Tsimiklis).

Booked: Lebski

Goals: Backhaus 23, Bulis 27, Winter 28, Larzabal 36, Meredith 57

HT: 0-3

Ref: I Jozeljic

Att: 200 (KGV Park, Friday, 22 February 2008)

By Walter Pless

Summer Cup holders Hobart Zebras can go a long way to defending their title by disposing of Kingborough Lions United, their closest challengers, at South Hobart at 2pm on Saturday in a Group B match.

Zebras should be at full strength and, with Ben Crosswell providing the side with a new dimension in attack, they should win.

Kingborough, who will be coached by Warren Iles in the absence of Geoff Freeman, will bring Gary Upton and Willie Walker into its line-up in place of Chase McConnon, who is unavailable, and Alex Beaumont, who moves to the bench.

Peter While and Andrew Kerr, who both had good games in the 1-0 win over New Town Eagles last week, retain their places.

Metro face a difficult task against Hobart Olympic at KGV Park at 6.30pm on Friday in a Group A match, especially after losing in the northern Steve Hudson Cup competition last Sunday.

Metro beat Taroona 2-1 last weekend, but this game should be more difficult, despite the fact that Olympic may be without a couple of players because of internal ructions at the club.

University have their first hit-out at 8pm on Friday in a Group A game against a Taroona side that had a good second half against Metro but were unable to grab an equaliser.

Chris Cox scored a marvellous goal for Taroona, who have strengthened their defence by signing the talented Alex Holmes from Beachside during the week.

Goalkeeper Tom Shepperd is still out of action because of a shoulder injury and so Dean Durant, who missed a couple of seasons after a badly broken leg, retains his spot in goal.

Durant had a nightmare debut last week, but the experience will have done him a world of good.

Clarence United make their first appearance in the tournament against New Town Eagles at South Hobart at 12.30pm on Saturday in Group B.

Eagles, last year’s losing finalists, lost 1-0 to Kingborough Lions United last week in their opening match and will find the going tough against the Eastern Shore side.

The young Clarence team should be a formidable force, despite having had no practice games against other clubs in the pre-season, while Eagles will need to find someone to score goals if they are to do well in this competition.

Nelson Eastern Suburbs will have to be at their best if they are to beat Hobart United in Saturday’s second round of matches in the Division One section of the Summer Cup competition at 2.30pm at Olinda Grove.

Nelson top the ladder after downing Kingston Cannons 3-0 last weekend, but United also tasted victory with a 1-0 triumph over Christian United, so both sides have a maximum three points.

Nelson have been dealt a blow with the absence of captain Bill Hanley, who has a back strain. In his absence, the side will be skippered by Jackson Marsh.

Defenders Paul Gazzignato, Nick Roberts and Aaron Wojcik are unavailable, which means Rick Chew earns a place at centre-back and Natsuki Futamura and Ben Gibson will make their debuts.

“The summer cup is about giving everyone a run and, while we’ve lost some quality players for this week’s game, I’m really pleased with the depth of the squad and it’s great to have another two guys making their debut,” said Nelson coach, Michael Roach.

“We’re expecting a close game against Hobart United and I know new signing, striker Matt Mckay, who trained with United in the pre-season, will be keen to get on the score sheet.”

New Town Eagles, who also have three points and are second on goal-difference, take on Kingston Cannons at 10am today at Olinda Grove and must be favoured to win as the side consists of many experienced former Premier League players.

Richard Leszczynski, Adam Jones, Damien Bones, Martin Niedorfer, Richard Ketchell, Alan Wisby and Steve Louden are names that will make the Cannons wary.

Anthony O’Meara, Matt Williams, Steve Vernon, Ben Michell, Matthew Fennell and Sam Calvert also have senior experience in abundance and the Cannons appear to be out of their depth in this company.

John Holliday and Damien Crowle have been signed from University, Ketchell is back after a spell with Dandenong City in Victoria, while Aaron Veitch has been signed from the North Hobart Football Club.

Holliday will be missing, however, because of a corked thigh.

“We were lucky to grind out a 2-1 win against Beachside last week as their superior fitness saw them dominate large periods of the second half,” said Eagles joint-coach, Niedorfer.

“We have added an extra fitness session to our schedule to address this problem.

“We are wary of a Kingston outfit that will be keen to impress after losing their first match.”

Beachside must be a slight favourite to overcome Christian United in Saturday’s remaining match, which kicks off at 11.30am at Olinda Grove.

In the Premier Reserve section of the Summer Cup at South Hobart on Saturday, Metro take on Hobart Olympic at 9.30am, Clarence tussle with Eagles at 11am, Zebras meet Kingborough Lions at 3.30pm and University have a showdown with Taroona at 5pm.

South Hobart 0 – 0 Hobart Olympic  [South Hobart won 6-5 in penalty Shoot-out]

By Walter Pless
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South Hobart and Hobart Olympic fought out a dull 0-0 draw in their Group A match in the Premier League section of the Summer Cup competition on a poor South Hobart pitch.

South Hobart won the subsequent penalty shoot-out 6-5.

The pitch is used for training by South Hobart and it’s showing. It’s the poorest South Hobart pitch I have seen so early in the season for many a year.

Neither goalkeeper had a save to make during normal play and South Hobart, who fielded a side missing at least half a dozen regular senior players, were a huge disappointment.

Coach Ken Morton limply explained that he had a couple of injuries and he rested other players because the club was also committed to the northern Steve Hudson Cup pre-season competition.

But, South had a bye in the northern competition this weekend and the decision to rest players rebounded badly on Morton as the side never looked like beating Olympic and is now second to Metro on the Group A ladder.

Had they not won the penalty shoot-out, South Hobart may well have been in danger of missing out on the final of a series that, inexplicably, has no semi-finals.

How they missed Gasparinatos, Ladic, Abbott, Cooper and Wain, who were resting in the shade and watching the match.

What is the point of entering a competition if you don’t want to win it? A club should field its best side at all times. Today’s exhibition by a reserve side did no one any credit, least of all Morton, and was an insult to the spectators.

Olympic were missing a couple of players, too. Vavoulas and Chris Tsakiris were absent after a committee dispute earlier in the morning, apparently after they sided with former president Emanual Roussos in a heated discussion. Watch this space.

Incidentally, Metro lost 3-2 to Prospect Knights in their second match in the northern competition, netting through an own-goal and a strike by Jason Dawes.

South Hobart goalkeeper Mark Moncur was the hero of the penalty shoot-out, saving penalties from Michael Bulis and Lee Mason and then scoring the decisive penalty himself to earn the bonus point.

Olympic’s goalkeeper, Dmitri Nester, also scored from the spot and saved efforts from Jonathon Lo, Shay Hickey and Sahm Taheri, but he could not keep out spot-kicks from Hugh Ludford, Alex Gordon, Toby Woolley, John Foley-Donoghue, Tom Roach and his opposite number Moncur.

For Olympic, Chris Tsimiklis, Nick Meredith, Ben Backhaus, Courtney Winter and Nester netted, while Paul Kaproulias and Carl Larzabal fired wide.

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South Hobart coach Ken Morton said:

“It’s not really disappointing. Maybe a little bit of what we expected.

“We weren’t at full strength and we played under par to what we’re used to or what we have been doing.

“But, it’s a good learning curve for us and I think we’ll kick on from that.

“We tried to spell the players a little bit because we’re playing up north. We’re trying to keep some people fresh for that.

“And, we’ve had Nathan Robinson out with a long-term injury. Bart Beecroft’s got a long-term injury as well, so a little bit of mixin’ and matchn’ to get us going.

“Very happy with young Toby Woolley. I thought he did a good little job for us on the left-hand side. Looks a little prospect.”

Hobart Olympic’s stand-in coach, Ateef Abdaltam, said:

“I think the game went well today, especially given we were missing a few players.

“The boys did well today.”
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South Hobart: Moncur; Foley-Donoghue, Ludford, Brown, Sattler, Lo, Hickey, Roach, Woolley, A Gordon, Taheri (Substitutes: Kennedy, Downes, Otte, Burrett)

Hobart Olympic: Nester; P Tsakiris, Tsimiklis, Kaproulias, Y Mohamad, Mason, Meredith, Larzabal, Richardson, Bulis, Backhaus (Substitutes: M Hedge, E Tsakiris, Winter)