Walter Pless on Football

Milan Lakoseljac Memorial Trophy Quarterfinal Match Reports

By Walter Pless

Devonport City, South Hobart, Glenorchy Knights and Clarence United won their Milan Lakoseljac Memorial Trophy soccer competition quarterfinals on Saturday to earn their places in the semi-finals on the weekend of 26-27 July.

Devonport won 2-1 away against Hobart Zebras at KGV Park, while Glenorchy Knights staged a second-half comeback to down Northern Rangers 3-2.

Clarence beat Riverside Olympic 2-1 away at Windsor Park and South Hobart overcame University 3-0 at South Hobart.

Clarence are at home against Devonport in one semi-final, while South Hobart entertain Glenorchy Knights in the other.

Devonport’s speed and passing were too much for the Zebras in the first half and goals in the 12th and 27th minutes by Chris McKenna gave the visitors a 2-0 lead at the break.

Zebras gave the ball away too easily and too often in the first half, while in the second, they were guilty of some glaring misses which ultimately cost them the match.

Devonport keeper Andrew Howe wins the ball

Paul Scicluna and McKenna were always dangerous in attack for Devonport, while Sean Howe and Grant Ashdown in midfield had the better of their opponents and regularly set up their strikers with chances.

Devonport’s Kieren Mulraney takes on Henry Fagg and Michael Connolly

Ricky Self pulled a goal back for Zebras in the 57th minute and Dylan Fennell had the ball in the net near the end, only to have the effort ruled out for off-side.

Devonport’s Luke Conroy tackles Zebras’ Ben Crosswell

A 3rd-minute goal from a free-kick by Derek Schipper put Northern Rangers ahead against Glenorchy Knights, but Igor equalised in the 48th minute with a header from Tom Huigsloot’s cross.

Andrew Downes restored Rangers’ lead in the 61st minute with a low shot from the right, but Lindsay Millington made it 2-2 in the 71st minute following a corner and a shot by Jade Clay, which was blocked.

Ten minutes from the end, Josh Fielding netted the winner with a magnificent chip from the left that sailed over goalkeeper Marshall Poolley and lodged inside the far post.

Rangers’ Gareth Otley and Knights’ Lindsay Millington were sent off in the 87th minute, while Rangers’ Nick Schipper also received his marching orders in the 91st minute after conceding a penalty.

Igor missed the penalty, his shot rebounding into play off the right-hand post.

Two goals by David Cooper and one by David Abbott gave South Hobart a 3-0 win over University.

Goals by Toby Ling in the 22nd minute and Mnyonge Kamba in the 31st minute gave Clarence a 2-1 win over Riverside Olympic, which replied with a late goal by Wayne Penfold.

In Division One, Hobart United beat Huon Valley 6-0 away at Ranelagh and Nelson Eastern Suburbs were 3-1 victors over Kingston Cannons at Sherburd Park.

Akuel Guot netted a hat-trick for United, while Peter Otto scored twice and Aymen Abdalla once.

Eagles and Beachside should continue their battle at the top

By Walter Pless

Division One leaders New Town Eagles travel to Lightwood Park on Sunday to take on fifth-placed Kingborough Lions United hoping to maintain their 2-point lead at the top of the standings.

Eagles should be the favourites, while second-placed Beachside should also win against second-last Christian United away at Sherburd Park on Sunday.

Eagles welcome back Alan Wisby and Ben Michell after lengthy absences, but Dave Reeves has a calf injury, which rules him out.

“The Lions are technically and tactically brilliant, so our training this week has focused on shutting down the man in possession quickly,” said Eagles’ joint player-coach, Marty Nidorfer.

“Richard Ketchell’s goal last weekend was worthy of an SBS highlights reel, and we will need him firing on all three cylinders again this Sunday.

“A compulsory club function on match eve is of concern.

“Our squad has a high number of two-pot screamers and club identity Bogdan Dora has been asked to keep an eye on our table, ensuring nobody breaks team rules.”

Ziad Ahmed Zeki returns to the Kingborough line-up in place of Rob Csokas, who has an ankle injury, while Matt Lyle is also included after recovering from injury.

Beachside have a number of players available again this weekend and coach Tony Kavanagh has a squad of 20 from which to choose.

Newly-signed Adam Smee replaces Michael Soszynski in goal, while Daniel Gardner and David Long will be rested and Anthony Grzinic is unavailable.

David Ikin retains his place in the starting line-up after impressing when he came on as a substitute last week, while Joe Vanderslink and Sebastian Milford are also back for this week’s game.

“Coming into the crunch time of the season, we are fortunate enough to have a full squad to choose from, with some 20 players vying for division one selection,” said Kavanagh.

“Last week, we had five regular players away, yet the team played a great brand of soccer, with those promoted holding their own.

“In particular, Andrew Reason excelled on the right wing, where he netted a stunning goal, and we expect more this week from him.”

Third-placed Hobart United travel to Ranelagh on Saturday to take on bottom-side Huon Valley and, realistically, there can only be one outcome - the visitors taking all three points.

United will be without defender Ian Walker, who has a serious knee injury that will keep him sidelined for up to a month.

Striker Thon Youl returns after suspension and his partnership with Akuel Guot should reap rich rewards against the home side’s defence.

“The boys had a video night mid-week watching four or five of their games that have been recorded and they went through things to improve things further,” said United coach, Tony Tarros.

“Emmanuel Otto and Hussein Lashin are drafted in from the reserves to provide defensive cover.

“We’re a little under strength but keen to get three points to maintain pressure on the top two sides.”

In the remaining match of the round, fourth-placed Kingston Cannons entertain sixth-placed Nelson Eastern Suburbs at Sherburd Park on Saturday.

Milan Lakoseljac Memorial Trophy Quarterfinals Preview for Saturday, 28 June 2008

By Walter Pless

Midfielders Paul Cairns and Aaron Brazendale will be back in the Tilford Zebras squad this Saturday for the clash against Devonport City at 2pm KGV Park.

The game is the first in a double-header that also features Glenorchy Knights against Northern Rangers at 4pm.

Brazendale served a one-match suspension last weekend after being sent off in the 1-0 loss to Hobart Olympic, while Cairns was in Sydney to watch the Socceroos’ World Cup qualifier against China.

“We met Devonport last year in this competition and it went to extra-time, so I’m predicting another good game,” said Zebras coach, Nick Lapolla. “They’re top of the league and Tom McGinn has them firing.”

Zebras won that match 3-1 in extra-time.

Devonport will be at full strength and will have the same squad that travelled south and beat Hobart Olympic 2-0 in the previous round of this State-wide knockout cup competition.

“I haven’t seen Zebras this year, but I’m familiar with their danger man Ben Crosswell as I coached him in the northern representative side last season,” said Devonport coach, Tom McGinn.

Glenorchy Knights should be at full strength for their showdown with Northern Rangers.

The Knights are vulnerable in defence and Thataetsile Kakadumane, the former University and Hobart Olympic player, is just the man to exploit this.

Knights goalkeeper Ben Peter can be erratic and he will need to show consistency in this clash as his defenders often leave him exposed.

Tony Dzelalija, Jayden Wiggins and Anthony Grundy must show greater understanding at the back as indecision and hasty tackles have cost them dearly in recent weeks.

Rangers have some players unavailable and others ill, but they have depth and will still field a competitive side according to coach Mitchell Billing.

“We’ll have to change a few tactics and our structure and revert from a diamond formation in midfield to a 4-4-2,” said Billing.

“We’ll still be relatively strong as we have considerable depth at the club, but it is disappointing to miss some of these players and we’ve been a little light on at training.

“We’ll give it our best, but I felt more confident a week ago.

“We haven’t lost since the first round, against Somerset.

“Igor, Josh Fielding and Tom Huigsloot are quality players and, although we generally don’t man-mark, we’ll have to be prepared for the Knights’ set-pieces.”

Riverside Olympic entertain Clarence United at Windsor Park at 2pm on Saturday and the home side will be without the suspended Troy Scott and Ben Eastman, as well as the injured Stephen Gulbrandson.

Coach Carlo Ercole hopes that Pieter Oosterloo will be fit in time for the match and Andy Gray will also be promoted from the reserves.

“We’ll be looking forward to it as it’s a real challenge,” said Ercole.

Clarence will miss midfield schemer Paul Bremner, who has university exams, and his replacement will be Chris Hunt, who has returned from Melbourne.

Coach Andrew Brown will not risk Ben Parker or Joseph Stevens, who are still recovering from injury.

“Riverside are, like us, in mid-table, but they have home ground advantage,” said Brown. “I’m expecting us to do well, though.”

The remaining quarterfinal pits South Hobart against University at 2pm at South Hobart on Saturday.

South beat the Students 3-0 in a league match at Olinda Grove a couple of weeks ago and should be the favourite in this home cup tie.

South Hobart coach Ken Morton said he expected goalkeeper Mark Moncur to have returned from the USA and that Greg Downes and Shae Hickey would get an opportunity to play at some stage of the match.

Damien Pearce will be rested to make way for David Cooper, who will play either in defence or farther forward.

This will be the final game for midfielder Tom Roach and captain and striker Jonathon Lo, who are off to Samoa next week as part of their medical studies.

From Samoa, they will travel to other parts of the world and are unlikely to play for South Hobart again this year.

Defender Matthew Brown is also going overseas soon.

Coach Ken Morton is eyeing potential recruits to replace the losses and has already signed Taroona defender Alex Holmes, who came on as a late substitute in last weekend’s 1-0 league win over Clarence United.

Moves to sign Kingborough Lions United midfielder Garry Upton appear to have foundered for this season at least.

South’s promising young full-back from the Tasmanian Institute of Sport, Liam Scott, may also be on his way soon as he is being linked to an A-League side’s National Youth League squad.

University will miss exchange student Hannes Blaas, who has returned to Italy, while Bryn Griffiths, Luke Temby and Matt Besley may be promoted from the reserves.

Temby scored twice in the reserves last weekend and deserves a run in the seniors.

Blaas was a talented midfielder or striker and made only a limited number of appearances for the club during his stay in Tasmania because of injury or unavailability.

Whenever he did play, he added an exciting new dimension to the University line-up and he will be missed.

Alexis Bull has still not recovered from injury and will be sorely missed, while the talented Brook Teale’s back problems unfortunately restrict him to cameo roles as a substitute.

Clarence United v South Hobart Match Report [Premier League, Wentworth Park, Sunday, 22 June 2008]

By Walter Pless
______________________________________________________

Clarence United 0
South Hobart 1 (Gasparinatos 69)

HT: 0-0 Att: 100 Ref: S Collins

Clarence United: Moschogianis - Huigsloot, Ling (Barabara 80), Lewis, Rees - Wise (Undy 88), Mayne, Bremner, Cashion - Walsh, Kamba [Substitutes not used: B Hamlett, Sweetten] [Coach: A Brown]

South Hobart: Kruijver - Scott, Ludford, M Brown, Pearce - Roach, Beecroft, Ladic, Abbott - Lo (Holmes 90), Gasparinatos [Substitutes not used: Ross, Downes, A Gordon] [Coach: K Morton]

_______________________________________________________

The windswept conditions at Wentworth Park did not make it easy for either side.

At one stage, a shot pumped high into the air and at goal appeared at first as if it would clear the club-room roof.

Everyone was stunned, not least the goalkeeper, as the ball suddenly dropped beside the left-hand post. Fortunately for the keeper, he was able to catch it after one bounce.

Neither side created many true chances. South grabbed the winner in the 69th minute.

David Abbott curled a free-kick from deep on the right into the goalmouth and, after Roach had over-run the ball, Billy Gasparinatos ghosted in late and unmarked and managed to force the ball home.

The best chance of the first half had fallen to Clarence’s Dwayne Walsh, whose shot slithered through the arms of keeper Sam Kruijver and rolled wide for a corner.

South had the ball in the net in the 13th minute, but the effort was adjudged to have been off-side.

In the 17th minute, Liam Scott saved South Hobart with a sliced clearance inside the six-yard box that, fortunately for him, cleared his own bar and went out for a corner.

South introduced their new signing from Taroona, Alex Holmes, in the final minute and he may have got a touch or two.

It was the final league game for captain Jonathon Lo and midfielder Tom Roach, who are heading overseas next week as part of their medical studies.

Matthew Brown will also be going overseas shortly, so coach Ken Morton will have to reshuffle his pack.

The win put South Hobart on top, 2 points clear of second-placed Hobart Olympic, who had dropped two points the previous day in a 1-1 draw with Metro.

_______________________________________________________

• Clarence coach, Andrew Brown, said:

“Disappointed in the result.

“I thought any neutral observer looking at it and saying which side had the seven State players and the seven Southern players would have found it hard to pick.

“To lose to a soft goal, that was very, very frustrating and disppointing.”

• South Hobart coach, Ken Morton, said:

“Conditions spoiled it.

“It might have been a good game as we set our stall out well.

“Conditions were very difficult for both teams.

“We tried to get it down and play, but it wasn’t easy.

“I’ll settle for one-nil in difficult circumstances.

“But, I thought we were good value and took the game to them and the chances that were created were created by us.”

________________________________________________________

STATISTICS

CLARENCE UNITED SOUTH HOBART
8 Goal Attempts 15
4 Shots on Target 2
6 Corners 6
8 Fouls Committed 9
0 Off-Sides 2
2 (Wise 21, Kamba 81) Yellow Cards 1 (Gasparinatos 78)
0 Red Cards 0

Clarence United:

PLAYER GOAL ATTEMPTS SHOTS ON TARGET
Walsh 2 2
Kamba 2 0
Wise 1 0
Rees 2 1
Bremner 1 1

South Hobart:

PLAYER GOAL ATTEMPTS SHOTS ON TARGET
Gasparinatos 4 1
Abbott 1 0
Lo 2 0
Roach 3 1
Ladic 3 0
Scott 1 0
M Brown 1 0

Match Summary for the Weekend of 20-22 June 2008

By Walter Pless

South Hobart opened up a 2-point lead over Hobart Olympic at the top of the Premier League ladder with a 1-0 away win over sixth-placed Clarence United at a windswept Wentworth Park on Sunday.

After a goalless opening half, in which South had an effort ruled out for off-side and Clarence went close with a Dwayne Walsh shot that slithered through the arms of goalkeeper Sam Kruijver, the visitors netted in the 69th minute.

David Abbott’s curling free-kick from deep on the right eluded everyone except the unmarked Billy Gasparinatos, who arrived in the goalmouth late and nodded the ball into the net.

Third-placed Hobart Zebras scored an emphatic 6-1 away win over third-last Kingborough Lions United at Lightwood Park, although Charles White’s goal gave the Lions the lead at the interval.

Ben Crosswell and Ricky Self both hit hat-tricks in the second half as the Lions were trampled by the stampeding Zebras.

Hobart Olympic stayed second after drawing 1-1 with second-last Metro at home at the Athletic Centre on Saturday.

But, it was a case of 2 points dropped rather than a point won for Olympic, who had kept pace with South Hobart until this weekend.

After a dour, goalless opening half, Olympic were gifted the lead in the 63rd minute when Metro goalkeeper Michael McKenna fumbled Kosta Grillas’s free-kick and Ben Backhouse followed up to tap the loose ball into the net.

Metro equalised in the 77th minute when they were awarded an indirect free-kick inside the penalty area for Youssef Mohamad’s foul on Stuart Hope.

Wayne Jackson tapped the free-kick to substitute Shane Kent, who drilled a tremendous shot past Olympic goalkeeper Dmitri Nester and into the top corner of the net.

Metro might easily have added to their tally but for a couple of bad misses by Jason Dawes, while only a brilliant full-length save by McKenna denied Olympic substitute Michael Bulis in the closing stages.

Glenorchy Knights leapfrogged University into fourth place when they won their encounter 2-1 at KGV Park on Friday night.

Knights took the lead in the 38th minute through Josh Fielding, whose 35-metre shot bounced awkwardly in front of University goalkeeper Ryo Matsuo and sneaked into the net.

Tom Huigsloot made it 2-0 at the interval with a close-range and downward header from Igor’s left-wing cross.

University came back strongly in the second half and were unlucky not to earn at least a draw.

Aaron Hindmarsh made a great run through the Knights defence only to shoot over the goal, while Julian Proud headed David Buxton’s right-wing cross against the bar.

Proud also had a close-range effort blocked by Knights goalkeeper, Ben Peter, whose lightning reflexes then enabled him to deflect Proud’s shot from the rebound against the woodwork.

Five minutes into stoppage time, Proud’s cross from the left was forced home by Buxton to make it 2-1.

Third-last New Town Eagles edged closer to safety from a relegation play-off and moved up a place to seventh by overcoming bottom-side Taroona 4-1 at home at Clare Street on Saturday.

Two goals by Jacob Malakoff and one each by Ben Whitehall and Victorian weekly fly-in from Brunswick Juventus, Damien O’Brien, gave Eagles their win, while Marcus Atkinson replied for Taroona, who are now 5 points behind second-last Metro with 7 games remaining.

South Hobart maintained their lead in the Premier Reserve League with a 3-2 away win over Clarence United on Sunday, the goals coming from Rowen Franklin, Greg Downes and an own-goal.

Matthew Chapman and Ezekiel Mateso scored for the home side.

Tilford Zebras downed Kingborough Lions United 2-1 through goals by Josh Thorpe and Luke Engels. Michael Palmer netted for Kingborough.

Fifth-placed Hobart Olympic beat eighth-placed Metro 3-0 at home at the Athletic Centre to move up one place on the ladder.

Neither side was able to score in the first half, but goals by Emmanuel Tsakiris, Courtney Winter and Jim Tzortzis finally gave the home side the three points.

Seventh-placed University also moved up a place by downing bottom-side Glenorchy Knights 3-1 away at KGV Park on Friday evening.

Two goals by Luke Temby and one by Richard Maddock gave the Students a commanding 3-0 lead at the break, while Jason Minnucci netted a consolation goal for the Knights in the second half.

Taroona moved up a place to eighth on the ladder when a second-half goal by Toby Dove gave them a 1-0 away win over New Town Eagles at Clare Street.

New Town Eagles maintained their 2-point lead at the top of the Division One ladder after beating fifth-placed Nelson Eastern Suburbs 4-1 away at North Warrane on Sunday.

Jayden Andrews gave Nelson a 1-0 lead at half-time, but two goals by Richard Leszczynski and one apiece by Richard Ketchell and Josh Hadfield turned the tide in the second period.

Ketchell’s strike was an eye-catching pile-driver from long range.

Third-placed Hobart United’s 5-1 away win over fourth-ranked Kingston Cannons at Sherburd Park makes the title battle a three-horse race between Eagles, Beachside and Hobart United.

Akuel Guot netted twice and Peter Otto, Samson Rume and Aymen Abdalla once each for United, which led 2-0 at the break, while Daniel Hanna hit the Cannons’ consolation goal.

Beachside had taken over top spot on the Division One ladder on Saturday when they beat bottom-side Huon Valley 3-0 away at Ranelagh, but the honour was only to last for 24 hours.

After a goalless opening half, goals by Bernhard Klasen, Liam Brown and Andrew Reason gave the visitors the points.

Sixth-placed Kingborough Lions United moved up a place on the ladder at the expense of Nelson Eastern Suburbs with a 6-2 home win over seventh-placed Christian United at Lightwood Park on Saturday through two goals by Michael Giomataris and one apiece by Warren Iles, Hendryk Klempe, Wayne Quinn and Euan Rodgers.

Christian United replied through Ashley Page and David Nettlefold.

Hobart Olympic v Metro Match Report [Premier League, Athletic Centre, Saturday, 21 June 2008]

By Walter Pless
_____________________________________________________

Hobart Olympic 1 (Backhaus 63)
Metro 1 (S Kent 77)

HT: 0-0 Att: 100 Ref: I Colhoun

Hobart Olympic (4-4-2): Nester - C Tsakiris, Y Mohamad, Vavoulas, Tsimiklis - Backhaus (Meredith 67), Richardson, Mason, Lebski - Grillas, Djekanovic (Bulis 78) [Substitutes not used: E Tsakiris, Plomaritis] [Coach: F Shaw]

Metro (4-4-2): McKenna - Herring, Chaffey, Rahni, Curran - Farley, McQueen (S Kent 67), Hope, Marney - Jackson, Dawes [Substitutes not used: Robb, Ramedge, Land] [Coach: A Abdaltam]
_____________________________________________________

This was not a great game, but the outcome had huge ramifications for the two teams, as well as for others in the competition.

The 1-1 draw put Hobart Olympic on top of the ladder, a point ahead of South Hobart, but the latter can gain an outright lead now if they beat sixth-placed Clarence United the following day.

The point moved Metro 5 points clear of bottom-side Taroona with 7 games remaining. Taroona lost 4-1 away to New Town Eagles, which lifted them up a place to seventh and dumped Kingborough Lions United down a spot to eighth and in danger of a relegation play-off.

The second half had a little more life than the first.

In the 53rd minute, Metro’s Jason Dawes was put through the Olympic defence and looked certain to score, but he shot wide of the target.

Olympic took the lead in the 63rd minute when Kosta Grillas took a free-kick from just outside the box on the right.

Metro goalkeeper Michael McKenna, a former Hobart Olympic custodian, fumbled the ball and Ben Backhaus pounced to tap it into the net.

In the 77th minute, Metro were level after being awarded an indirect free-kick inside the box following Youssef Mohamad’s dangerous play against Stuart Hope.

Wayne Jackson tapped the free-kick short to substitute Shane Kent, who rifled it into the roof of the net.

Dawes had two excellent chances to win the match for Metro before the end, while Olympic almost snatched victory minutes from the final whistle when substitute Michael Bulis’s magnificent shot was saved at full-length and in spectacular style by McKenna.

______________________________________________________

• Hobart Olympic coach, Farrell Shaw, said:

“We started flat and finished flat.

“There was no spark whatsoever and the only two players who looked as if they were trying to do something were Kosta Grillas and Youssef Mohamad.

“Everyone else was just flat.

“I was a bit puzzled with their goal. I mean, the free-kick was there, but I don’t know why he made one decision, two decisions, three decisions, but having said that, it was in the box anyhow and disappointing.

“Mike McKenna cost them a goal and he saved them a goal, so things worked out nicely for them.”

• Metro coach, Ahmed Abdaltam, said:

“I’m very happy with that point.

“I think the boys had a good game today following on from the game against Taroona.

“We played well, especially in the second half.

“We could have had a win, but we got a point playing against the top team.

“It’s a credit to the boys. They’re working hard and I just hope we can stay in the top league.”
________________________________________________________

STATISTICS

HOBART OLYMPIC METRO
16 Goal Attempts 12
4 Shots on Target 2
6 Corners 3
18 Fouls Committed 17
4 Off-Sides 2
0 Yellow Cards 1 (Jackson 75)
0 Red Cards 0

Hobart Olympic:

PLAYER GOAL ATTEMPTS SHOTS ON TARGET
Mason 2 0
Tsimiklis 1 0
Djekanovic 1 0
C Tsakiris 5 0
Grillas 3 1
Vavoulas 1 1
Richardson 1 0
Backhaus 1 1
Bulis 1 1

Metro:

PLAYER GOAL ATTEMPTS SHOTS ON TARGET
Herring 1 0
Farley 1 0
Dawes 5 0
McQueen 1 1
Hope 1 0
S Kent 3 1

Glenorchy Knights v University Match Report [Premier League, KGV Park, Friday, 20 June 2008]

By Walter Pless
_______________________________________________

Glenorchy Knights 2 (Fielding 38, Huigsloot 47)
University 1 (Buxton 95)

HT: 2-0 Att: 100 Ref: D Gadd

Glenorchy Knight (4-4-2): Peter - Gordon, Dzelalija, Grundy, Wiggins - Clay (Daniels 83), Fielding Begovic (Frank 69), Igor (Green 87) - Harrison, Huigsloot [Joint Player-Coaches: J Begovic, J Fielding]

University (3-5-2): Matsuo - Fletcher (Teale 69), Merry, Stockdale - Griffiths, Foley-Donoghue, Jackson, Hindmarsh (Maddock 88), Wilson - Proud, Blaas (Buxton 46) [Substitute not used: Piesse] [Coach: S Gallacher]

________________________________________________

Glenorchy Knights appeared to be well in control of this match in the first half, but they should have built up more of a lead than 2-0 by the interval.

Nick Harrison missed an absolute sitter in the 21st minute when Tom Huigsloot’s diagonal ball found him free on the left, but the lanky striker chipped over the bar with the goal at his mercy.

University goalkeeper Ryo Matsuo did well to tip shots by Josh Fielding, twice, and Huigsloot over the bar for fruitless corners.

The deadlock was broken in the 38th minute, but the goal came out of the blue. The Knights had seemingly wasted a corner, with the ball carrying across the penalty area and beyond the left of the box.

Fielding eventually gained possession and sent in a speculative shot from 35 metres that bounced in front of Matsuo and beat the keeper at his right-hand post.

University’s best chance also came out of the blue, Jon Foley-Donoghue producing a spectacular overhead scissors kick that was goal-bound before taking a deflection and going out for a corner.

University replaced Hannes Blaas with David Buxton at the interval. Blaas had been causing the Knights some problems with his ability to find space and his telling passes.

In the 57th minute, Aaron Hindmarsh went on a marvellous run through the middle and beat several defenders, only to shoot over the bar when he should have scored.

The warning signs were there, but the Knights failed to heed them.

Midway through the half, the Knights survived a determined University assault which saw Julian Proud’s shot from close range parried by Ben Peter. The ball fell again for Proud, whose volley was turned against the bar by Peter.

In the 72nd minute, Buxton sent over a superb cross from the right and Proud, stationed at the far post, headed against the bar with Peter beaten.

Both sides made substitutions towards the end, but University maintained their pressure and were rewarded in the 5th minute of stoppage time when Proud’s cross from the left was converted by Buxton.

The Knights almost let this one slip from their grasp, but the three points enabled them to leapfrog University into fourth place.

_________________________________________________

• Glenorchy Knights joint-coach, Janko Begovic, said:

“Things were a bit hazardous for us towards the end, but we were very happy with the first half.

“We knocked the ball around well and played well, but once again, we can’t get a full, consistent 90 minutes together.

“We were a little bit lucky there. They hit the crossbar a couple of times.

“But, if you go back to when we played them in the first round, it’s a little bit of a role reversal because we hit the bar a few times and they came away with a 1-0 win.

“We fought it out well and I’m quite happy with the boys, actually.

“I think we can go on from here. We’ve got the belief we can go on.

“We just can’t afford to lose another game this year.

“If we win every game we’ve got from here on and, if a couple of other results go our way, there’s no reason why we can’t go on and win the premiership.”

• University coach, Scott Gallacher, said:

“It was fairly close in the end and I was really happy with the way we came back in the second half.

“In the first half, we played well in spells, but they were firing in the first half.

“We put ourselves under real pressure with defensive mistakes.

“Our keeper made some really good saves. He’s been playing well.

“I’m hoping we can pick up again and, hopefully, we’ll get Alexis Bull back in the next few weeks.”

___________________________________________________

STATISTICS

GLENORCHY KNIGHTS UNIVERSITY
23 Goal Attempts 13
15 Shots on Target 6
9 Corners 3
6 Fouls Committed 11
4 Off-Sides 0
1 (Harrison 96) Yellow Cards 1 (Teale 78)
0 Red Cards 0

Glenorchy Knights:

PLAYER GOAL ATTEMPTS SHOTS ON TARGET
Huigsloot 5 3
Harrison 3 2
Igor 3 1
Fielding 7 7
Wiggins 1 1
Clay 2 1
Begovic 1 0
Frank 1 0

University:

PLAYER GOAL ATTEMPTS SHOTS ON TARGET
Foley-Donoghue 2 1
Buxton 2 1
Proud 5 3
Hindmarsh 1 0
Griffiths 1 0
Merry 2 1

Preview for the weekend of 20-22 June 2008

By Walter Pless

Clarence United coach Andrew Brown is confident his sixth-placed outfit will give a good account of themselves against Premier League leaders South Hobart at home at Wentworth Park on Sunday.

Clarence hope to have defender Toby Ling back, but injury doubts still hang over Ben Parker, Dwayne Walsh, Jacob Kavanagh and Nathan Cashion.

“I am very happy with the football we are playing and with the depth displayed at the club over the last weeks and months,” said Brown.

“I have faith in the players playing positive, attacking football and it will be a challenging experience to play against the competition pacesetters.”

South will have defender Liam Scott back from injury, but midfielder Tom Roach is a doubtful starter because of an ankle injury.

South has signed central-defender Alex Holmes from Taroona, but he is unlikely to make his debut in this game, although he impressed in training on Thursday night.

It will the last game for captain Jonathon Lo, and Roach, if he plays, as they are heading overseas next week as part of their medical studies.

South also had newcomer Michael Sangster at training. He once played for Bolton’s youth side.

Second-placed Hobart Olympic entertain second-last Metro at the Athletic Centre on Saturday in an important game for both sides.

Olympic are striving for the title, while Metro are fighting relegation and this promises to be a hard-fought and exciting match.

The return to the defence of Darrin Chaffey, and the possible inclusion in midfield of Terry Kent, will bolster Metro’s chances.

Taroona face a tough assignment away at Clare Street on Saturday against third-last New Town Eagles, who will have Adam McKeown available.

Chris Wass is still injured and won’t be able to make a comeback in this game.

Eagles’ midfielder Mark Wakefield is out for the season because of medial and cruciate ligament damage.

Taroona will miss Alex Holmes at the back, while the fitness of strikers Chris Cox, Tom Sherman and Hugo Luttmer is doubtful after recent injuries.

Seventh-placed Kingborough Lions United will also be fighting for their Premier League existence when they host third-placed Hobart Zebras at home at Lightwood Park on Sunday.

With Eagles and Metro breathing down their necks, the Lions must conquer the Zebras if they are to ease their fears of relegation.

Kingborough’s key player, midfielder Garry Upton, is suspended after being sent off in last weekend’s 3-3 draw with Glenorchy Knights.

Upton is also being linked with a move to South Hobart.

Greg Freeman, Ross Hinkley and Marcello Marchioli will all have to pass fitness tests before being considered for selection, while Brett Andrews, Michael Palmer and Ryan Bevan are all ready for a recall to the seniors.

Zebras will miss suspended midfielder Aaron Brazendale, who was sent off in last weekend’s 1-0 loss to Hobart Olympic.

Fourth-placed University travel to KGV Park on Friday evening to take on fifth-placed Glenorchy Knights and last Sunday’s 3-0 loss to South Hobart is hardly a cause for confidence for the Students.

The Knights had tall striker Nick Harrison back last week from long-term injury and he scored, which only increases University’s problems.

Division One leaders New Town Eagles will be without captain Steve Louden when they travel to North Warrane on Sunday to take on fifth-placed Nelson Eastern Suburbs.

Louden is out for the rest of the season because of injury, while joint-coach Damien Bones is also unavailable and is likely to be replaced by Scott Graham.

“The lads all feel for the injured Steve Louden and are fired up for a difficult match against his former club,” said Eagles joint-coach, Marty Nidorfer.

“Former clubmen and now State coaches, Franco Previdi and Dale Itchins, have been given the task of appointing a new captain in the coming weeks.

“Our Achilles heel last week was, in fact, Sam Calvert’s injured Achilles heel and we hope he can get through the game in an attacking midfield role.”

Nelson have their share of problems, too, with captain and sweeper Bill Hanley unavailable because he is interstate for work and will only be able to play in three more games this season.

“Jackson Marsh will take the captain’s armband, while utility Lewis Gibbs will take on the sweeping duties this week,” said Nelson coach, Michael Roach.

“Defenders Rowan Sakul and Paul Gazzignato return this week after missing the win over Kingborough, and defender Scott Rogers and striker Nick Roberts are both unavailable, so Natsuki Futumura comes into the starting eleven to play on the left.”

Second-placed Beachside are away to bottom-side Huon Valley at Ranelagh on Saturday and will be without James Hay, Andrew Douglas, Patt Bigg and Sebastian Milford, all of whom have school soccer commitments.

Liam Brown and David Long are injured and unlikely to play, so Huon Valley will never have a better chance to pick up three points.

Goalkeeper Michael Soszynski, Kim Dae-won, Daniel Gardner and Andrew Reason will return to the Beachside line-up, while David Ikin is ready to make his debut at senior level.

“We will have to adapt to the forced changes to our side, and will look to our experienced players to get us over the line,” said Beachside coach, Tony Kavanagh.

“Bernard Klasen is providing great leadership on the field and can dictate the tempo of the game, while Ben Davis is returning to his best form following an injury which kept him out of the side for the first half of the season.

“If these two can get on top, we should at least be competitive on the day.”

Fourth-placed Kingston Cannons have injury problems surrounding John Demir, Stewart Collins and Ismet Aydin as they prepare to host third-placed Hobart United at Sherburd Park on Sunday.

Neil Thomas has the ‘flu and John White and Zac Thomas are unavailable.

Third-last Kingborough Lions United will be without player-coach David Rietveld for the rest of the season and Warren Iles will be in charge against second-last Christian United at Lightwood Park on Saturday.

The Lions’ Ziad Ahmed-Zeki is unavailable and will be replaced by Dave Gallo, while Rob Riddell also comes into the line-up as Ben Daley and Brett Andrews have been promoted to the Premier League squad.

The Lions will be looking for good performances from Hendryk Klempke and Jimmy Lewis, who have impressed in recent weeks.

University v South Hobart Match Report [Premier League, Olinda Grove, Sunday, 15 June 2008]

By Walter Pless
_____________________________________________________

University 0
South Hobart 3 (Ladic 17, Abbott 52, Gasparinatos 81)

HT: 0-1 Att: 70 Ref: K Barker

University (3-5-2): Matsuo - Fletcher, Merry, Stockdale - Wilson (Griffiths 60), Hindmarsh, Bull (Teale 69), Jackson, Foley-Donoghue - Proud, Buxton [Substitutes not used: Maddock, Piesse] [Coach: S Gallagher]

South Hobart (4-4-2): Kruijver - Cooper, Ludford, M Brown, D Pearce - Roach (Hickey 71), Beecroft, Ladic, Abbott (Downes 86) - Lo, Gasparinatos [Substitutes not used: Ross, McCallum] [Coach: K Morton]
_______________________________________________________

Looking at South Hobart’s statistics for this match, they look like a good spread of Lotto numbers.

But, they didn’t hit the jackpot.

South Hobart’s finishing was woeful and they should really have hit double figures with ease.

University barely mounted a serious attack after the opening few minutes and Alexis Bull appeared to injure himself in one of these attacks and was largely ineffective for the remainder of the match.

He was eventually substituted by Brook Teale with 20 minutes remaining. It is a pity that Teale does not start games because he is one of most accomplished and experienced players at the club.

Jonathon Lo had the ball in the back of the net in the 9th minute from a superb volley, but the effort was disallowed because he appeared to have fouled former team-mate Jon Foley-Donoghue.

South Hobart will miss Lo and Tom Roach after next weekend’s round of matches as they head overseas as part of their medical studies.

Jonathon Ladic finally put the visitors ahead direct from a corner - South’s seventh - from the left, the ball eluding everyone as it arced into the far corner of the net.

In the 29th minute, University goalkeeper Ryo Matsuo redeemed himself after his inability to keep out Ladic’s corner by tipping Lo’s dangerous shot over the crossbar.

Ten minutes from the break, David Abbott incredibly volleyed over the crossbar from 6 metres.

In the 39th minute, South Hobart were awarded a penalty when Lo attempted to get past Craig Stockdale and the ball hit the defender’s hand.

Hugh Ludford took the spot-kick, which was well placed, but Matsuo turned it onto the crossbar. The ball rebounded to Roach, but his shot was cleared off the line by Julian Proud.

South thus went in at the break leading 1-0, the goal coming from one of 11 corners, and after a dozen shots and a saved penalty.

Abbott made it 2-0 from close range 7 minutes after the resumption when he turned in Billy Gasparinatos’s low cross from the right.

In the 61st minute, David Cooper, marauding from defence, headed a simple chance over the bar from just outside the 6-yard box after Ladic’s cross.

Nine minutes later, the usually reliable Cooper somehow chipped over the bar from a good position and with the goal beckoning.

Ten minutes from the end, a foul on Lo just outside the box gave Gasparinatos a scoring chance from the free-kick, but his excellent shot struck the crossbar.

The ball rebounded to Gasparinatos, but he drove it over the crossbar.

In the 81st minute, Gasparinatos decided to go it alone and he worked his way through the middle past several defenders before scoring with a low shot off the inside of the left-hand post.

Two minutes into stoppage time, Damien Pearce, who started the game in place of the injured Liam Scott at left-back, cracked a great shot against the underside of the bar and Gasparinatos headed the rebound over.

Some good goalkeeping by Matsuo and inept finishing by South, restricted the score-line to 3-0.

The result put South Hobart back on top of the ladder on goal-difference from second-placed Hobart Olympic.

University must have been relieved that the damage had not been more extensive and that they remain in fourth place, Glenorchy Knights having been held to a 3-3 draw the same afternoon by Kingborough Lions United.

________________________________________________________

University coach, Scott Gallager, said:

“A bit disappointing, to be honest.

“I mean, we changed our style a bit today and tried to match it with them a bit, but we couldn’t.

“They were too good for us. It’s as simple as that.”

South Hobart coach, Ken Morton, said:

“Comfortable, very happy away from home.

“I mean, we’ve won comfortably, we’ve had a penalty missed and a goal disallowed.

“I thought the performance was strong. We dealt with anything aerially that they offered and we played well on the ground.

“We played good football and had some good penetrating moves and I’m happy with that.”

________________________________________________________

STATISTICS

UNIVERSITY SOUTH HOBART
6 Goal Attempts 32
4 Shots on Target 13
2 Corners 23
11 Fouls Committed 6
2 Off-Sides 1
1 (Proud 67) Yellow Cards 3 (Pearce 54, Beecroft 66, Hickey 60)
0 Red Cards 0

University:

PLAYER GOAL ATTEMPTS SHOTS ON TARGET
Bull 1 1
Buxton 2 2
Proud 1 0
Foley-Donoghue 2 1

South Hobart:

PLAYER GOAL ATTEMPTS SHOTS ON TARGET
Gasparinatos 10 3
Roach 5 2
Ladic 3 2
Lo 6 3
Cooper 4 0
Abbott 3 2
Pearce 1 1

Match Summary for the Weekend of 13-15 June 2008

By Walter Pless

Hobart Olympic became the clear leader of the Premier League competition by downing third-placed and reigning champions Tilford Zebras 1-0 at KGV Park on Friday night.

The fight to avoid relegation intensified with third-last New Town Eagles downing sixth-placed Clarence United 3-2 away at Wentworth Park and second-last Metro coming back from a 2-0 deficit to beat bottom-side Taroona 3-2 away at Kelvedon Park on Saturday.

Taroona now remain isolated at the foot of the ladder with just 2 points and they are 4 points adrift of Metro and 6 behind Eagles.

Zebras and Olympic slogged out a goalless opening half during which Olympic’s Danijel Djekanovic should have scored with an easy header and Zebras’ Dylan Fennell was thwarted in a one-on-one situation by man-of-the-match, Dmitri Nester, the Olympic goalkeeper.

Zebras sparked into life only when they had midfielder Aaron Brazendale sent off 9 minutes into the second half after he collected a second yellow card for a foul on Robert Lebksi.

Hugh Richardson went close for Olympic in the 62nd minute when his shot scraped the base of a post, while Fennell was denied twice by Nester in a superb display of goalkeeping.

With 13 minutes remaining, Lebski released Lee Mason on the right. Mason evaded a tackle from Daniel Lapolla and his accurate cross to the far post was headed home by Michael Bulis.

Two minutes later, Brett Pullen’s powerful header following a corner was cleared off the line by Mason, who was adamant that the ball had not crossed the line.

Pullen claimed it had, but the assistant referee did not flag and the referee quite correctly waved play on.

The Zebras’ Ben Crosswell shot wide with the goal at his mercy in the closing stages and then had an effort brilliantly saved by Nester as Olympic hung on for the win.

Goals by Will Roberts and Hugo Luttmer put Taroona 2-0 up against Metro, but two fine goals by Wayne Jackson - from Jason Dawes’s passes - and a marvellous strike on the turn by Aaron Marney gave the visitors a priceless victory.

Jamie Vernon, Wade Savage and Alex Leszczynski were Eagles’ marksmen against Clarence, who replied through Juma Barabara and Paul Bremner.

South Hobart regained top spot on the ladder with a 3-0 away win over fourth-placed University at Olinda Grove on Sunday.

South Hobart lead second-placed Hobart Olympic on goal-difference, both sides having 25 points, 6 ahead of third-placed and reigning champions, Tilford Zebras.

South Hobart completely dominated the game, but their finishing was appalling.

The visitors had 32 shots on goal, only 13 of which were on target, compared to University’s comparative figures of 6 and 4. South had 23 corners to University’s two.

South captain Jonathon Lo had a ‘goal’ disallowed early on, but South took the lead directly from Jonathon Ladic’s corner in the 17th minute, while Hugh Ludford had a penalty brilliantly saved by University keeper Ryo Matsuo in the 39th minute.

Matsuo, who had a splendid game - apart from the first goal direct from a corner - turned Ludford’s spot-kick against the bar, while Tom Roach’s shot from the rebound was blocked on the line by Julian Proud.

David Abbott made it 2-0 in the 52nd minute from Billy Gasparinatos’s cross, while Gasparinatos netted the third with nine minutes remaining.

Gasparinatos and Damian Pearce also hit the University woodwork as the home side defended bravely but were continually exposed by South’s attacks.

Seventh-placed Kingborough Lions United edged a point further away from the bottom three sides when they drew 3-3 at home at Lightwood Park with fifth-placed Glenorchy Knights.

Two goals by Greg Freeman gave the Lions a 2-1 lead at the interval, Igor having scored for the visitors, but a penalty by Igor made it 2-2 before Tom McDonald restored the Lions’ lead.

A header in injury time by Nick Harrison, making his comeback after a long absence through injury, earned the Knights a point.

The Lions had midfielder Gary Upton sent off.

In the Premier Reserve League on Saturday, a goal by Ezekiel Mateso gave Clarence a 1-0 win over New Town Eagles, while goals by Wade Hawkins and Scott Bagorski enabled Metro to win 2-1 against Taroona, who replied through Lucas Wyatt.

Goals by Patrick Dunne, Fabian Lapolla, Kurt Engels, Adrian Venettacci and Adam McGuire saw Hobart Zebras overcome Hobart Olympic 5-0 on Friday night.

On Sunday, Simon Burrett’s goal gave Premier Reserve League leaders South Hobart a 1-0 win over University, while Kingborough Lions United downed the Glenorchy Knights 2-0.

Beachside moved from third to second on the Division One ladder by beating fourth-placed Kingston Cannons 3-1 at home at Sandown Park on Saturday.

The win put Beachside a point adrift of leader New Town Eagles.

Bernhard Klasen netted twice and Sebastian Milford once for Beachside, while John Prichard replied for the Cannons.

Christian United moved off the foot of the ladder at the expense of Huon Valley by winning their clash 5-1 at home at Sherburd Park.

Ashley Page and John Manasseh each scored a brace and Dave Nettlefold once for Christian, while the visitors’ scorer was Anthony Dare.

Two goals by Jackson Marsh, an own-goal, and strikes by Adam Mills and Jayden Andrews powered sixth-placed Nelson Eastern Suburbs to a 5-2 home win over fifth-ranked Kingborough Lions United, the sides swapping places on the ladder as a result.

James Lewis and Brett Andrews were the Lions’ marksmen.

Division One leaders New Town Eagles were held to a 2-2 draw by Hobart United at Pontville on Sunday, Josh Hadfield and Chris Stingle, the latter with a penalty, netting for Eagles, and Akuel Guot and Peter Otto for the home side.