Walter Pless on Football

Match Summary for Sunday, 31 August 2008

By Walter Pless

Kingborough Lions United avoided an eighth-place finish in the Premier League competition by beating fifth-ranked University 2-1 away at Olinda Grove yesterday.

New Town Eagles, whose coach and several players were watching the match, have now finished eighth and will meet Division One champions Hobart United in the home-and-away promotion/relegation play-off, commencing next weekend.

The Lions leapfrogged Eagles into seventh spot and should have won more easily.

The visitors had a Brett Andrews penalty saved by Ryo Matsuo, an effort by Greg Freeman disallowed for off-side, and missed several sitters through Freeman, Charles White, Andrews and Ross Hinkley.

University goalkeeper Ryo Matsuo saves Brett Andrews’s penalty

University came back strongly in the second half, but managed only one goal - a header by Taka Manaka, from Jon Foley-Donoghue’s corner in the 72nd minute.

Freeman had given the Lions the lead in the 42nd minute and then set up captain Marcello Marchioli for the second two minutes later.

Kingborough easily beat University 5-1 in the Reserve League curtain-raiser through a hat-trick by Willie Walker and strikes by James Correy and Thomas Rossi. James Weller replied for the Students.

In the final Division One match of the season, two first-half goals by Ashley Page gave second-last Christian United a 2-0 win over fifth-placed Kingston Cannons.

Cup Final Match Summaries from 30 August 2008

By Walter Pless

South Hobart beat Devonport City 2-0 in the Milan Lakoseljac Memorial Trophy state-wide competition final at KGV Park on Saturday.

Devonport were no match for the southerners and, apart from some crosses which were dealt with comfortably by South’s substitute keeper, Sam Kruijver, rarely threatened.

The teams observe a minute’s silence in memory of the late Ken Howe

The visitors’ much-vaunted aerial threat from Chris McKenna never materialised, while South should have scored more than just two goals given the chances that came their way.

After a goalless opening half, South Hobart hit the front seven minutes from the end when Billy Gasparinatos received a pass from substitute Colin Wain and rolled the ball past the hesitant Devonport keeper, Andrew Howe.

South Hobart goalkeeper Sam Kruijver beats Chris McKenna to a cross

In the 3rd minute of stoppage time, a free-kick by Jonathon Ladic was headed over his own keeper by Devonport defender, Nathan Gratton.

“I thought we struggled to put the game to bed,” said South coach, Ken Morton. “We controlled the game from start to finish, but it took us a while to seal it.”

Devonport coach, Tom McGinn, said: “The better team won. It looked as if we were a tired team that had taken its mind off the ball.”

Devonport striker Paul Scicluna outwits Jonathon Ladic and Matthew Brown

Clarence United won the Under-19 Cup final 2-1 against Taroona, despite playing the last 25 minutes with ten players because of the dismissal of Ben Hamlett, who collected a second yellow card.

Hamlett had given Clarence the lead after just three minutes when he tapped home Jacob Huigsloot’s low cross from the left, which had been missed by team-mate Dwayne Walsh.

Clarence Under-19 squad

Four minutes after the interval, Liam Marsh made it 2-0 from a splendid pass by Matt Chapman.

Jason Szoka pulled a goal back for Taroona six minutes from the end, but Clarence held out to collect the trophy.

Both sides had up to seven senior Premier League players in their starting line-ups.

Taroona Under-19 squad

University took out the Women’s State-wide Cup after a marvellous display of attacking soccer in a 4-1 win over the highly-rated Nelson Eastern Suburbs.

Nelson were particularly vulnerable to corners and crosses and these proved their undoing in the first half.

University’s cup final squad

Melinda Minstrell put University ahead direct from a corner in the 20th minute, and then hit the crossbar with another corner three minutes later.

In the 33rd minute, Rebecca Hartnett headed home Holly Ayton’s corner to make it 2-0 at the break.

Hartnett added the third in the 56th minute with another header after a short corner and a cross by Ayton, while Laura Prescott made it 4-0 in the 85th minute when she beat a defender inside the penalty area and fired a low shot past the goalkeeper.

Nelson’s cup final squad

Sarah Morris netted Nelson’s consolation goal a minute later.

[Separate match reports and photos for each cup final to follow soon.]

Preview for Weekend of 30-31 August 2008

By Walter Pless

South Hobart will be without goalkeeper Mark Moncur when they take on Devonport City in Saturday’s Milan Lakoseljac Memorial Trophy final at 2.45pm at KGV Park.

Moncur became unavailable when the match was switched from 5pm to the earlier time.

His understudy, Sam Kruijver, will take over in goal and coach Ken Morton has every confidence in the youngster.

“Sam is taller than Mark and, whenever he’s been required to step in, he’s done a good job,” said Morton. “The players have every confidence in him.”

Everyone else is fit and striker Billy Gasparinatos returns from suspension, which means Morton has up to 17 players available for selection.

Englishman Daniel White, who has impressed at training, has not yet been cleared and is unlikely to play.

“Colin Wain came through a full training session and he will be available, but there won’t be any massive changes,” Morton said.

“We’re all aware of Devonport striker, Chris McKenna, but the main thing for us is to respect them and go out and play our football.”

Devonport will be at full strength and will not bring John ‘Snow’ Compagne out of retirement for this match.

Compagne has played the occasional important game for Devonport this season, but has largely been inactive in the seniors.

Coach Tom McGinn said he was simply delighted that his side had reached the State-wide cup final and that anything could happen in this type of game.

South must shackle McKenna, whose aerial threat is significant. He has scored many goals with his head and will be extremely dangerous at corners and set-pieces.

Paul Scicluna, Sean Howe and Simon Wilson are others who can make and score goals and South will need to be aware of their presence.

The day’s programme begins at 12.30pm with the Under-19 cup final between Clarence United and Taroona.

Clarence finished second in the league and Taroona fifth, with eight points separating them, but cup finals are one-off games and upsets are always on the cards.

At 5pm, Nelson Eastern Suburbs takes on University in the Women’s State-wide Cup final.

Nelson won the league, a massive 10 points ahead of second-placed University, and in this case, it should be a telling factor.

Nelson’s Nicole Hale is one of the major threats confronting the Students.

She netted five goals last week in a league match and has hit top form.

Bliss Cantrell, Shelley Cook and Vanessa Johnson are other expert goalscorers in the Nelson line-up and their combined firepower should be too much for the Students.

David Kruijver plays his last game for Christian United on Saturday as the Division One season comes to a close with this catch-up match.

Kruijver, who has played over 100 games for the club, will be in action for seventh-placed Christian as they meet fifth-ranked Kingston Cannons at Sherburd Park, a ground both clubs share.

Christian lost 4-2 away to third-placed Beachside at Sandown Park on Wednesday in another postponed match, David Nettlefold and Jesse Arnold scoring Christian’s goals and David Long, Patrick Bigg, Daniel Gardner and Bernhard Klasen replying for Beachside, which led 2-1 at the break.

Saturday’s game will be Christian’s third in a week and this will test the depth of the club’s squad and their physical fitness.

Thomas Van Sant, one of Christian’s up-and-coming stars, will be missing, but Brodie Kirkpatrick returns to the line-up and player-coach Dave Nettlefold will have a run.

“Things are starting to come together for us at the end of the season,” said Nettlefold. “We’re starting to take our chances and put balls in the back of the net.

“We’re really excited about the way things are going and really looking forward to what next year has for us as a club.

“David Kruijver has been a committed member of the club and is highly respected among the playing group.

“We’ll be sad to see him go because he’s a real leader on the field and a great man to have around the guys.”

The Cannons have beaten Christian 5-2 and 4-0 in their previous meetings this season, so Christian will have to be at its best to triumph in this final showdown.

Christian cannot improve on their second-last placing. They are 4 points ahead of bottom-side Huon Valley and 5 points adrift of third-last Kingborough Lions United.

Meanwhile, representatives from the group conducting a feasibility study into Tasmania having an A-League side in the national competition have met with Football Federation Australia officials in Sydney.

John McGirr, chairman of the Tasmanian A-League Taskforce, and Craig Seymour met with John O’Sullivan, Chief Commercial Officer, and Michelle Phillips, Head of Major Projects, of the FFA for the purpose of presenting work done to date and to provide details of the comprehensive feasibility study now underway.

Mr McGirr said that FFA was receptive to the concept of an A-League team based in Tasmania, but stressed that a compelling case was required before a licence would be granted.

“The FFA was complimentary regarding our progress to date and we are confident that we will be able to present an extremely strong business case to both FFA and the Tasmanian community and intend to be ready to put a formal proposal for an A-League licence by mid-2009,” Mr McGirr said.

“We are encouraged by recent comments made by FFA’s Chairman and by the results of our meeting with Mr O’Sullivan and Ms Phillips, but there remains a substantial amount of work to be completed over the coming months.”

Voting for the logo of the proposed Tasmanian A-League side, Tasmania United, can still be done at www.focussedstrategy.com/ALeague/.

New Town Eagles v Tilford Zebras [Premier League, Clare Street, Sunday, 24 August 2008]

By Walter Pless
_______________________________________________

New Town Eagles 1 (O’Brian 84 pen)
Tilford Zebras 1 (Crosswell 22)

HT: 0-1 Att: 100 Ref: K Barker

New Town Eagles: Pitchford - Wass, Clark, Page - Pope [(Stingle 65) Wilson 92], O’Brian, Malakoff, McKeown, Ferrall - Savage (Clamp 88), Leszczynski [Substitute not used: A Cox] [Coach: I Parker]

New Town Eagles

Tilford Zebras: Mainella - D Cox, Fagg, Telega, Connolly - Brazendale, Pullen, Self, Lapolla - Fennell, Crosswell [Substitutes not used: Thorpe, Pace, L Engels, Kaden] [Coach: N Lapolla]

Tilford Zebras
________________________________________________

Seventh-placed New Town Eagles desperately needed to win this match to avoid the promotion/relegation play-off against First Division champions Hobart United, which is the fate of the eight-placed side.

They got a draw with a late penalty, which kept them a point ahead of eighth-placed Kingborough Lions United, and with a better goal-difference.

This means that the Lions must beat University next Sunday to avoid an eighth-place finish.

Tilford Zebras came into this game having relinquished their Premier League title, which was won the previous day by South Hobart.

The only incentive for Zebras was to farewell midfielder Brett Pullen and goalkeeper Frank Mainella with a win in what was their final game before retirement.

Zebras’ Brett Pullen (left) gets a pass away despite the attentions of Eagles’ Damien O’Brian

Eagles had enough of the possession in the first half, but it was the Zebras who looked more threatening.

Eagles should have done better with chances that came their way early on, but Zebras’ Ben Crosswell was desperately unlucky in the 9th minute when his excellent shot hit the angle of crossbar and post.

Crosswell had better luck in the 22nd minute. Zebras had just narrowly survived an Eagles attack when Mainella sent a long clearance up-field.

Zebras’ Ben Crosswell lines up a shot

Crosswell controlled the ball despite the presence of two defenders and got inside the box before shooting low past the advancing keeper, Nathan Pitchford.

Pitchford got a hand to the ball, but was unable to take the pace of the shot, the ball dribbling over the line to give the visitors the lead.

Pitchford was livid at the poor marking of his defenders, which had left him exposed, and he certainly let them know it.

In the 35th minute, Crosswell fed Ricky Self, but he shot wide when he should have done better.

Zebras’ Ben Crosswell teases the Eagles players

Six minutes before the break, Eagles’ Adam McKeown shot wide with the goal beckoning.

In the 69th minute, Pitchford saved well from Crosswell, while four minutes later, McKeown had time to spare but blazed wide of the target.

Zebras’ David Cox evades a tackle

With six minutes remaining, Michael Connolly’s tackle on McKeown saw Mr Barker award a penalty and Damien O’Brian despatched the spot-kick with ease to make it 1-1 and ensure Eagles of a precious point.

Both sides formed a guard of honour as Pullen and Mainella left the field and headed for the change rooms for the last time.

_________________________________________________

• New Town Eagles coach, Ian Parker, said:

Ian Parker

“I thought we were extremely lucky towards the end there to get the penalty, which is probably okay, because we’ve had some go against us, so you’ve got to accept them.

“I thought we might have pinched it right at the death, but it wasn’t to be.

“Obviously, the result now means that Kingborough have got to get a result in their last game, so look like we’ll be supporting Uni next week.”

• Tilford Zebras coach, Nick Lapolla, said:

Nick Lapolla

“I mean, it’s one of those games. You’ve got nothing really to play for except a bit of pride and, with the two going out today, in Brett and ‘Bubbles’, we’ve tried to do the normal thing.

“But, it makes it hard to play in those conditions. The ground wasn’t the best. It was very, very hard in the middle of the park and lumpy outside.

“A dubious penalty, I would say. I wouldn’t have thought it was a penalty.

“But still, good luck to Eagles. A point is always good for them.”

__________________________________________________

STATISTICS

NEW TOWN EAGLES TILFORD ZEBRAS
8 Goal Attempts 10
2 Shots on Target 5
4 Corners 6
6 Fouls Committed 17
3 Off-Sides 3
1 (Wilson 94) Yellow Cards 3 (D Cox 46, Fennell 66, 87)
0 Red Cards 1 (Fennell 87)

New Town Eagles:

PLAYER GOAL ATTEMPTS SHOTS ON TARGET
O’Brian 4 1
McKeown 2 0
Leszczynski 2 1

Tilford Zebras:

PLAYER GOAL ATTEMPTS SHOTS ON TARGET
Crosswell 3 3
Self 3 1
Brazendale 3 1
Fagg 1 0

South Hobart v Metro Match Report [Premier League, Washington Street, Saturday, 23 August 2008]

By Walter Pless
___________________________________________________

South Hobart 7 (Ludford 1 pen, Cooper 7, Abbott 27, Downes 41, Hickey 48, Scott 66, Burrett 78)
Metro 0

HT: 4-0 Att: 220 Ref: I Colhoun

South Hobart: Moncur - Cooper, Ludford, M Brown, Scott - Downes (Burrett 69), Beecroft, Ladic, Abbott - Ross (Wain 64), Hickey (David 78) [Substitute not used: Kruijver] [Coach: K Morton]

South Hobart…2008 Premier League champions

Metro: Land (Porter 66) - Lawler, T Kent, Rahni, Farley (Robb 66) - Marney, Hope, Dawes (McQueen 63), S Kent - Pettit, Jackson [Substitute not used: Kayden] [Coach: A Abdaltam]

Metro…went down 7-0 in the 133rd meeting with South Hobart since 1941
_____________________________________________________

South Hobart won their first Premier League title since 2002 with this 7-0 win against Metro.

It was one of the easiest wins in what was the 133rd meeting between the sides since 1941.

Referee Ian Colhoun tosses for captains Terry Kent (left) and Bart Beecroft

Metro were never in the hunt after falling behind to a 1st-minute penalty, awarded for Mohand Rahni’s handball, and despatched by Hugh Ludford.

Metro’s Mohand Rahni about to concede the penalty

Metro’s replacement goalkeeper, Simon Land, did well to punch David Abbott’s stinging shot clear in the 4th minute. Land started in place of Michael McKenna, who was injured.

David Abbott shoots past Simon Land for South Hobart’s third goal

In the 5th minute, Julius Ross missed a sitter after Jonathon Ladic’s deep left-wing cross.

Metro were reeling and it came as no surprise when David Cooper made it 2-0 in the 7th minute.

Terry Kent was Metro’s most composed and skilful player and he tried to steady the ship with some intelligent and calm play at the back, but it was like King Canute ordering back the tide.

South Hobart continued to attack in waves.

Julius Ross sets up David Cooper for South’s second goal

In the 27th minute, they were pinned down at the back near the left corner flag, but they broke free and switched the ball to their own left flank, where Abbott charged down the wing and drew the keeper before shooting past him and into the far corner of the net to make it 3-0.

Abbott almost added another in the 36th minute when he tried to beat Land at the near post, but his shot was wide.

David Cooper and team-mates celebrate the second goal

A minute later came Metro’s best chance of the match, but Jason Dawes fired narrowly wide of the far left-hand post.

Steve Pettit was having no impact on the match whatsoever and he was gradually becoming demoralised by the failures of his team-mates.

As his passes were wasted by the poor control of the receiver, his passes became more and more sloppy and inaccurate and he gradually disappeared from the game.

Terry Kent, on the other hand, was splendid. His vision and control got him out of tight situations and he almost always found a team-mate with his passes.

If necessary, he hit the ball high in the air to gain time. If Metro had ten more of him, they may have been in with a chance.

Five minutes before the interval, Ross missed from point-blank range from Ladic’s pass.

A minute later, Greg Downes, who was back from trials with Sunderland and Walsall, swept home a cross to make it 4-0 at the interval.

Shae Hickey made it 5-0 within three minutes of the re-start, firing home from Cooper’s pass.

In the 55th minute, Ross made it a hat-trick of misses when he nodded Hickey’s cross wide of an open goal.

Aaron Marney went close for Metro in the 64th minute, but at the other end, Liam Scott added South’s sixth after Kye McQueen had blocked Downes’s effort on the line.

Mykel Porter replaced Land in goal midway through the second half and he did very well to deny Colin Wain, who had broken clear and looked certain to score.

In the 78th minute, substitute Simon Burrett started and finished the move that led to goal number seven. Burrett released Abbott down the left and was waiting for the return, which he knocked past Porter with ease.

Metro’s final chance came in the 82nd minute from a free-kick, but Shane Kent’s effort was headed wide for a fruitless corner by Matthew Brown, who was playing his first game since returning from overseas.

South were unable to use Englishman Daniel White as he had not been cleared in time for the match.

_____________________________________________________

• South Hobart coach, Ken Morton, said:

Ken Morton

“I thought we played really well today to end the season.

“The football was good, the attacks were flowing and had good penetration, and there was good finishing as well.

“It was a game we had to play and we thought Metro might come out and just play with a free spirit, but we got an early goal and that really set them rocking and it out us on the way.

“I thought we showed our class today. We were quite dominant.

“It was magic to give Colin Wain a spell as he’s missed most of the season through a serious illness and he’s battled his way back through Division Three and the reserves.”

• Metro captain, Terry Kent, said:

“Last week against the Zebras, we took the game to them in the first half, and we planned to do something similar today to South Hobart.

“But, we just weren’t up to the big challenge today. It would have been really, really nice to spoil South Hobart’s party today, but at the end of the day, they had better players all over the park who worked harder.

“To our lads’ credit, there’s a lot of endeavour there, but they’ve got a lot of hard work to do to get back into the Premier League.

“Even after we conceded that early penalty, we didn’t switch on and we found it hard to get the ball out from the back and into midfield.

“Up front, there wasn’t a lot happening.”
_________________________________________________

STATISTICS

SOUTH HOBART METRO
18 Goal Attempts 8
9 Shots on Target 0
8 Corners 2
15 Fouls Committed 10
7 Off-Sides 2
1 (Hickey 73) Yellow Cards 2 (S Kent 46, Rahni 77)
0 Red Cards 0

South Hobart:

PLAYER GOAL ATTEMPTS SHOTS ON TARGET
Ludford 1 1
Abbott 4 3
Cooper 2 2
Ross 4 0
Downes 1 1
Ladic 2 0
Hickey 2 1
Burrett 1 1
David 1 0

Metro:

PLAYER GOAL ATTEMPTS SHOTS ON TARGET
Farley 1 0
Marney 2 0
Pettit 2 0
Dawes 1 0
S Kent 2 0

Match Summary for Sunday, 24 August 2008

By Walter Pless

New Town Eagles kept alive their hopes of avoiding the promotion/relegation play-off in the Premier League competition when they held Tilford Zebras to a 1-1 draw at home at Clare Street on Sunday.

Eagles are seventh, a point ahead of eighth-ranked Kingborough Lions United, and have a better goal-difference.

Eagles keeper Nathan Pitchford clears from Zebras’ Aaron Brazendale

Lions have one match remaining - away to fifth-placed University next Sunday - and need a win to leapfrog Eagles and avoid the dreaded eighth spot.

Lions beat bottom-side Taroona 5-1 at home at Lightwood Park on Sunday, Greg Freeman and captain Marcello Marchioli each scoring a brace and Charles White netting the remaining goal.

Taroona, who are relegated and trailed 4-1 at the interval, replied through Hamish Macgregor.

Ben Crosswell almost put Zebras ahead against Eagles in the 9th minute, but his shot hit the angle of crossbar and post and rebounded into play.

He made amends midway through the first half when he ran on to a long clearance from goalkeeper Frank Mainella and shot past Eagles keeper Nathan Pitchford, who got a hand to the ball but could not stop it from trickling over the line.

Zebras’ Daniel Lapolla (left) closes down Eagles’ Damien O’Brian

Eagles were awarded a penalty in the 84th minute for Michael Connolly’s foul on Adam McKeown and Damien O’Brian scored with his spot-kick to make it 1-1.

Mainella and midfielder Brett Pullen were playing their last games before retirement for Zebras, who finished second, five points adrift of champion South Hobart and three ahead of third-placed Hobart Olympic.

Both sides form a guard of honour for Zebras’ retirees Brett Pullen and Frank Mainella

In the Premier League Reserves, two goals by Phil Cooper and one each by Alex Beaumont, Willie Walker and Marcus Bremner powered Lions to a 5-1 win over Taroona, who replied through Dan Palmer.

Two goals by Jayden Welch and one apiece from Josh Thorpe and Matt Hall gave Zebras a 4-2 win over Eagles, who, just as in their game last week, scored through Jarrod Hyland and Gezachew Atalay.

Atalay’s celebrations were cut short when he was sent off for taking off his shirt.

In Division One, New Town Eagles, who finished second to champion Hobart United, downed Kingston Cannons 3-1 through goals by Ben Michell, Damien Bones and David Page, the latter from a penalty. Steve Giudici scored for the Cannons.

Match Summary for 22-23 August 2008

By Walter Pless

South Hobart took out the Premier League title with an easy 7-0 win over second-last and relegated Metro at home at Washington Street on Saturday.

It was South Hobart’s first title since 2002 and the game was the 133rd between the sides since 1941.

South Hobart celebrate their first title since 2002

The win gives South Hobart a 6-point lead over Tilford Zebras, who will finish second regardless of their result against New Town Eagles on Sunday.

Metro fell behind to a 1st-minute penalty for a hand-ball by Mohand Rahni, Hugh Ludford netting the spot-kick with ease.

Hugh Ludford opens the scoring with a penalty

David Cooper made it 2-0 in the 7th minute after keeper Simon Land failed to hold a cross, while in the 27th minute, South turned defence into instant attack and David Abbott raced down the left to score the home side’s third.

Jason Dawes went close for Metro in a rare attack, but Greg Downes hit South’s fourth just before the interval.

Shae Hickey, Liam Scott and Simon Burrett added further goals in the second half for South Hobart against a Metro side that never gave up but who were completely outclassed.

Metro’s Scottish import Steve Pettit rarely got a look in, while sweeper Terry Kent was superb at the back, never wasting a pass and reading the game to perfection, but all to no avail.

Hobart Olympic, who finished third, beat fourth-placed Glenorchy Knights at KGV Park on Friday night with a last-minute goal by substitute Emmanuel Tsakiris, who was set up by a pass from fellow substitute Dipendra Kunwar.

Knights goalkeeper Ben Peter was in outstanding form, making three crucial saves against Kosta Grillas, Fred Assenheimer and Aaron Percy.

This was Knights striker Tom Huigsloot’s final game before retirement and it was a sad way for him to end an illustrious playing career.

Sixth-placed Clarence United avoided any chance of being involved in the promotion/relegation play-off when they hit top form and demolished fifth-ranked University 6-2 at home at Wentworth Park on Saturday after leading 3-1 at the break.

Dwayne Walsh hit a hat-trick and Mattias Toghill, Jacob Huigsloot and Chris Hunt snared a goal apiece for Clarence, while Aaron Hindmarsh, with a long-range pile-driver, and Luke Temby replied for the Students.

Hobart United won the Division One title with a 3-0 home win over second-last Christian United, Akuel Guot grabbing a hat-trick in the final 20 minutes.

Two goals by Bernhard Klasen and one each by Sebastian Milford, Ben Davis, David Long and Dave Chadwick gave third-placed Beachside a 6-4 win over third-last Kingborough Lions United, who replied through Euan Rodgers, with two goals, and Wayne Quinn and Thomas Rossi.

Nick Roberts netted twice and Natsuki Futamura and Bill Hanley once each as Nelson Eastern Suburbs overcame bottom-side Huon Valley 4-1. Paul Dawson was the Valley’s marksman.

In the Premier League Reserves, a hat-trick by Adam Knapek powered Clarence to a 3-0 win over University, while two goals by Jai David and one each by Gavin Wailes, Hugo Bladel and Alex Gordon gave champions South Hobart a 5-0 win over Metro.

Glenorchy Knights v Hobart Olympic [Premier League, KGV Park, Friday, 22 August 2008]

By Walter Pless
________________________________________________

Glenorchy Knights 0
Hobart Olympic 1 (E Tsakiris 90)

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

Glenorchy Knights: Peter - Wiggins (Green 82), Grundy (Millington 74), Dzelalija, Gordon - Minnucci (Clay 53), Begovic, Igor, Daniels - Huigsloot, Fielding [Joint Player-Coaches: J Fielding, J Begovic]

Hobart Olympic: Ioannou - Mohamad, Lebski, Tsimiklis, Richardson - Backhouse, Mason, Hedge (E Tsakiris 50), Larzabal - Assenheimer (Kunwar 79), Grillas (Percy, 71) [Substitute not used: Plomaritis] [Coach: Farrell Shaw]

________________________________________________

This 1-0 win for third-ranked Hobart Olympic was a huge blow to fourth-placed Glenorchy Knights, who are now in danger of finishing the season in fifth spot.

Only a brilliant display of goalkeeping by the Knights’ Ben Peter kept the home side in contention and it was a last-minute goal by Emmanuel Tsakiris which finally settled the issue.

Peter denied Kosta Grillas twice in the first half with fine saves, while in the second, he produced outstanding saves against Fred Assenheimer and substitute Aaron Percy.

The Knights’ Tom Huigsloot was playing his last game before retiring and it was a disappointing finale. Not only did Knights lose, but Huigsloot missed two gilt-edged chances to score. On another occasion, he took too long to get into a shooting position when inside the box and the chance evaporated.

He has been a great servant for the club, however, and it was sad to see him bow out in this game.

Olympic were missing six regular players through injury or suspension - goalkeeper Dmitri Nester, defenders Nektar Vavoulas and Peter Tsakiris, midfielder Chris Tsakiris, and strikers Michael Bulis and Danijel Djekanovic.

Olympic had the first real chance of the match in the 6th minute when Adam Hedge cut the ball back from the byline on the left, but Grillas’s shot was well saved by Peter.

In the 14th minute, Huigsloot collected Igor’s header following a free-kick but shot wide when he should have worked the goalkeeper, John Ioannou, who had little to do all night.

Five minutes later, Grillas did the hard work by outwitting a couple of defenders on the left before cutting inside to shoot, but Peter snatched the ball out of the air and held it.

The first half ended with Igor shooting wide of Ioannou’s right-hand post.

Ten minutes after the resumption, Knights earned a free-kick on the right of the box. Janko Begovic picked out Huigsloot unmarked at the far post, but he shot over the bar.

In the 75th minute, substitute Jade Clay sliced a shot across the face of goal and Josh Fielding was the first to the ball, but his shot was blocked by a defender.

In the 79th minute, Assenheimer got on to the end of a long cross from the right at the far post. His header was directed downwards but lacked pace and Peter pulled off a marvellous save.

Six minutes from the end, an instinctive save by Peter denied substitute Aaron Percy.

In the final minute, with a goalless draw seemingly inevitable, substitute Dipendra Kunwar went on a diagonal run from left to right and released the ball on the edge of the box for substitute Emmanuel Tsakiris to beat Peter to the ball and score from six metres.

________________________________________________

• Glenorchy Knights goalkeeper, Ben Peter, said:

“We were definitely unlucky to lose.

“I thought it was going to be a fitting end to the season, but 1-0 down at the end there wasn’t really a great result to send Tommy off, because that’s his last game, for the season and for his career.

“It wasn’t really fitting to send him off with a 1-0 loss. They’re the breaks and that’s what happened.

“One save down in the corner from a header, I was lucky to get to. A bit more power on the header and I didn’t think I was going to get to it.

“The other one was just more of a reflex save that you make when the ball is coming straight at you and you see it late and you get your hands to it.

“If University win both their games, we could lose fourth spot.

“Our expectations were fairly high for the season and we would have liked to have finished as high as in the top three, but results tended not to go our way in some games.

“Next year, I’m sure we’ll bounce back and be up in the mix.

• Hobart Olympic coach, Farrell Shaw, said:

“A good win to end the season, especially when you consider we had up to seven regular players out.

“A few young lads came in and did the job for us in the end.

“Young ‘Dipper’ is scoring goals for us in the Under-19s so he deserved his run tonight.

“You wouldn’t want to put him on too early. Being so small, we didn’t want to damage him too much. But, it proved he’s got no fear.

“A lot of soul searching during the week turned things around. The players were very disappointed in themselves. A lot of people were basically embarrassed.

“We came out and decided no matter what team we put out would do the job.”

__________________________________________________

STATISTICS

GLENORCHY KNIGHTS HOBART OLYMPIC
10 Goal Attempts 17
3 Shots on Target 7
3 Corners 9
6 Fouls Committed 10
1 Off-Sides 4
1 (Grundy 57) Yellow Cards 1 (Lebski 27)
0 Red Cards 0

Glenorchy Knights:

PLAYER GOAL ATTEMPTS SHOTS ON TARGET
Daniels 2 1
Huigsloot 4 0
Begovic 1 1
Igor 2 0
Clay 1 1

Hobart Olympic:

PLAYER GOAL ATTEMPTS SHOTS ON TARGET
Assenheimer 4 1
Grillas 3 2
Mason 5 1
Tsimiklis 2 0
Percy 1 1
Kunwar 1 1
E Tsakiris 1 1

Match Preview for the Weekend of 22-24 August 2008

By Walter Pless

South Hobart can win the Premier League title for the first time since 2002 by either beating or drawing with second-last and relegated Metro at home at South Hobart on Saturday.

Ken Morton’s South Hobart outfit must be considered a strong favourite as they go into this 133rd clash with Metro since 1941.

South will have a strong line-up with the return of central defender Matthew Brown from overseas and despite the absence of suspended striker Billy Gasparinatos.

Defender Alex Holmes is injured, but Morton may give new English signing, striker Daniel White, a run at some stage.

Metro have nothing to lose and will be dangerous, especially with the inclusion of Scottish import, striker Steve Pettit, who has scored in each of his two games to date.

If South Hobart lose, the title will go to Tilford Zebras, if they beat seventh-placed New Town Eagles away at Clare Street on Sunday.

Tilford Zebras will miss midfielder Paul Cairns through suspension, which means there will again be a place for either Josh Thorpe or Dylan Fennell.

Eagles finally hit the jackpot last weekend with a 7-1 thrashing of third-placed Hobart Olympic and this should make them confident going into this game.

Eagles are desperately trying to avoid eighth place, the ‘prize’ for which is a promotion/relegation play-off against the Division One champions, which is likely to be Hobart United after their 5-1 win over Nelson Eastern Suburbs on Wednesday.

Eagles will be without striker Jamie Vernon, but midfielder Damien O’Brian is available again after missing the Olympic match.

Coach Ian Parker has had a good record with Eagles since returning from the UK, losing just one of eight games, so Zebras will have to be at their best, especially if the title is at stake.

Sixth-placed Clarence United are not safe from the dreaded eighth spot but can avoid that fate by beating fifth-placed University at home at Wentworth Park on Saturday.

Clarence have flattered to deceive at times this season and, after losing 3-0 at home to Glenorchy Knights last weekend, a victory is far from assured.

The first-round meeting between these sides ended in a 1-1 draw and University will be keen to win as they have a game in hand and could, conceivably, finish fourth.

Eighth-placed Kingborough Lions United host bottom-side and relegated Taroona at Lightwood Park on Sunday and have everything to play for as they fight to avoid the promotion/relegation play-off.

The Lions have a game in hand - against University on 31 August - and a good win against Taroona to improve their goal-difference will enable them to breathe a little more easily, depending, of course, on how other results go.

Taroona, just as in the case of Metro, have little but pride to play for, but they can also influence other events - in this case, that dreaded eighth position on the ladder - and so may be an awkward opponent for the Lions.

Hobart Olympic are assured of third place - win, lose or draw - against fourth-placed Glenorchy Knights at KGV Park on Friday night.

Knights could lose out on fourth spot and this incentive may be enough to spur them on to victory against an Olympic side that submitted meekly to Eagles last weekend.

Meanwhile, FFT CEO Martin Shaw has announced his resignation, effective in a month’s time, after four seasons in Tasmania, and he will take up the position as the head of Cricket Fiji.

Hobart United can win the Division One title on Saturday with either a win or a draw at home at Pontville against second-last Christian United.

If Hobart United lose, then New Town Eagles will collect the title, providing they can beat fourth-placed Kingston Cannons away at Sherburd Park on Sunday.

Hobart United produced a withering display at Pontville on Wednesday night to demolish fifth-placed Nelson Eastern Suburbs 5-1 and go top of the ladder.

Two goals by Akuel Guot, the leading marksman in the south of Tasmania in all leagues, and one goal each by Jacob Kuel, Peter Otto and Samson Rume did the trick against Nelson, which replied through a free-kick by Jackson Marsh.

If Hobart United win the championship, they will meet the eighth-placed team in the top-flight Premier League - Kingborough Lions United, or New Town Eagles, or Clarence United - in a promotion/relegation play-off over two legs.

The thought of that challenge will inspire Hobart United on Saturday, despite the absence of sweeper Alex Bellini, who has gone to Italy, and the absence of fullback Moses Otto with an ankle injury.

Coach Tony Tarros is full of confidence and said that any betting man would put money on his side.

“We only need a point to take the title and, if you’re a betting man, put money on the green,” Tarros said.

“We worked hard and smart all season after finishing sixth last year and no way are we going to lose now.”

Eagles, who will know whether the title is still on offer by the time they take the field against the Kingston Cannons on Sunday afternoon, will have striker Matthew Fennell back from suspension.

Midfielder Richard Ketchell has recovered from a knee injury, but Steve Vernon and Jack McCann are omitted from the squad.

“This match is the last hurdle before the finish line and Olympian Sally McLellan has proven there is no shame in claiming silver,” said Eagles coach, Marty Nidorfer.

“Nothing is for sure with this weekend’s fixtures, but the one thing that is certain is our lads will still have the traditional ‘Sunday Shandy’ back at our spiritual home and major sponsor, the Waratah.”

Third-last Kingborough Lions United will have goalkeeper Adam Norris back after injury and Adrian Pereira and Warren Iles are likely to replace Peter While and Phil Cooper, who return to the club’s Premier League reserves, for their game against third-placed Beachside at Lightwood Park on Saturday.

Rob Csokas has an Achilles tendon problem but should make the bench, while French midfielder Thomas Rossi is back from interstate and the prolific scorer will trouble visitors Beachside.

Nelson Eastern Suburbs visit Ranelagh on Saturday to take on bottom-side Huon Valley and the visiting coach, Michael Roach, is wary.

“We’ll have the same eleven that started the midweek game versus Hobart United and 15-year-old midfielder, Henry French, will be brought in to the bench,” said Roach.

“We’d like to finish fourth and, to ensure that, we need some points from this game.

“We know Huon Valley will give it everything playing at home.”

Hobart United v Nelson Eastern Suburbs Match Report [Division One, Pontville, Wednesday, 20 August 2008]

By Walter Pless
_____________________________________________

Hobart United 5 (Kuel 3, Guot 50, 79, P Otto 78, Rume 85)
Nelson Eastern Suburbs 1 (Marsh 71)

HT: 1-0 Att: 50 Ref: D Ambler

Hobart United: Grandin, Walker, Bellini, M Otto, Banks, Kuel, P Otto, J Otto, Rume, Youl (Abdalla 70), Guot [Substitutes not used: Festo, Fry] [Coach: T Tarros]

Nelson Eastern Suburbs: De Carpentier, Gibson, Sakul, Gibbs, Marsh, Gazzignato, Mills, Hanley, T Roach, Futamura (Wojcik 82), Roberts [Substitutes not used: Bradburn, Chew, Andrews] [Coach: M Roach]
______________________________________________

This win put Hobart United on top of the Division One ladder and two points ahead of New Town Eagles with just one round remaining.

Hobart United are at home to second-last Christian United, while Eagles are away to fifth-ranked Kingston Cannons.

United must, therefore, be the favourites for the title.

If they win it, they earn another tilt at Premier League football next season by playing the eighth-placed Premier League side on a home-and-away basis.

At this stage, that could mean games against either Kingborough Lions United, New Town Eagles or Clarence United.

The lights at Hobart United’s Pontville headquarters are excellent and superior to those at KGV Park.

But, spectator facilities leave a lot to be desired. It’s okay if you like watching games from ground-level and from beside the pitch. But, if you prefer a bit of height and perspective, the small grandstand is much too far from the action.

The red ground markings could also be a little confusing, while the cricket pitch in the middle of the oval presents a problem.

Fortunately, none of the above factors detracted from what was a fast, physical and keenly contested match.

Hobart United took the lead after just three minutes when John Otto was fouled on the right of the box.

Jacob Kuel took the free-kick and scored, the ball hitting the inside of the far upright and crossing the line before being cleared.

Mr Ambler consulted his assistant, Mr Fagg, who was perfectly positioned to see, and awarded the goal.

Akuel Guot and Thon Youl were fast and lively in attack for United, but the resolute Nelson defence lived dangerously but held firm for the remainder of the half.

In the 40th minute, Nelson almost conceded an own-goal from a corner, while Guot’s acrobatic overhead kick just cleared the bar.

Just before the interval, an altercation occurred on the side-line between United’s coach and some visiting spectators, but order was soon restored.

Three minutes after the interval and with the beating of drums echoing at intervals through the otherwise still and frigid country air, United almost added a second goal.

John Otto’s fierce shot hit the underside of the bar and the ball bounced down and back into play. It looked as if it had crossed the line, but there was no signal from the referee’s assistant and Mr Ambler waved play on, to the annoyance of United’s players and to the relief of the visitors.

Two minutes later, United got their second goal. John Otto’s high lob into the box bounced over goalkeeper Nicolas De Carpentier, who was too far off his line, and Guot was presented with the simplest of tap-ins.

Nelson, who barely had a sniff of goal in the first half, were back in the match in the 71st minute when United conceded a free-kick on the edge of the box. Jackson Marsh hammered the free-kick home and it was suddenly only a goal the difference.

Three minutes later, Marsh fired just wide and was unlucky not to have equalised.

United regained their composure and went back on the offensive and substitute Ayman Abdalla headed narrowly wide in the 75th minute.

Peter Otto made it 3-1 in the 78th minute from Colin Banks’s pass and the two-goal buffer seemed to settle the home side, who turned up the pressure.

A minute later, it was 4-1 as Guot brilliantly side-stepped defender Paul Gazzignato on the edge of the box and advanced on goal before slotting the ball past De Carpentier.

Nine minutes from the end, Banks chipped at goal from range, but the ball dropped just over the bar.

With five minutes remaining, Samson Rume, who had gone close several times in the
first half, was rewarded with United’s fifth goal when he broke through on the left and beat De Carpentier with a fine shot.

_______________________________________________

• Hobart United coach, Tony Tarros, said:

“I think we were just too good for them.

“They defended, but you can’t defend for 90 minutes in a game.

“Our skill gave us control and we got them. We finished better than they did.

“They only had about three shots all game.”

• Nelson Eastern Suburbs coach, Michael Roach, said:

“I don’t think the score-line reflected the balance of the game, but good luck to Hobart for the rest of the season.

“They’re a very fast-paced, attacking team.

“We made a few mistakes at the back and they put them away.

“Congratulations to them.”

________________________________________________

STATISTICS

HOBART UNITED NELSON
19 Goal Attempts 7
11 Shots on Target 2
4 Corners 2
9 Fouls Committed 6
0 Off-Sides 0
0 Yellow Cards 2 (Gibbs 30, Roberts 43)
0 Red Cards 0

Hobart United:

PLAYER GOAL ATTEMPTS SHOTS ON TARGET
Kuel 3 1
Rume 2 2
P Otto 4 3
Guot 6 4
J Otto 2 1
Banks 1 0
Abdalla 1 0

Nelson Eastern Suburbs:

PLAYER GOAL ATTEMPTS SHOTS ON TARGET
Marsh 6 2
Sakul 1 0