Beachside keen to regain lead in Division One
Division One Preview for 7-8 June 2008
By Walter Pless
Division One leaders New Town Eagles face a difficult match against previous front-runners Beachside at home at Clare Street on Sunday.
Eagles took over at the top from Beachside in midweek when they downed Kingston Cannons 3-1 at KGV Park through two second-half goals by Sam Calvert, including a penalty, and one by Matthew Williams.
Stewart Collins replied for the Cannons.
Eagles’ Damien Bones, Richard Ketchell, Tommy Fotak, Daniel Verdouw and Richard Leszczynski are not fully fit and players from the club’s Ptremier League side have been placed on standby.
“After Wednesday night’s game against the Cannons, there were more tight hamstrings than the strings on Andre Rieu’s violin.
“The lads are tired from a busy schedule, which could count against us, but I’m sure they still have some petrol in the tank.
“We will look to control the tempo of the match, which won’t be easy against the reigning champions.”
Beachside will have captain Ben Davis back in place of David Chadwick, and goalkeeper Michael Soszynski also returns.
Davis has not played since round one because of injury and has made his way back through the reserves, where he scored twice last weekend.
“Eagles are now ladder leaders and we find ourselves having to come at them if we are to remain in contention for the title,” said Beachside’s Daniel Gardner.
“After watching them play the Cannons on Wednesday, we are expecting a tough encounter, with Sammy Calvert and Tommy Fotak ones to watch.
“For the last few weeks they have used their experience to over-run teams in the second half, so for us to even have a chance, we are going to have to string together 90 minutes of competitive football.
“Given the terrible surface in the middle of Clare Street and the challenge of changing your playing style to keep the ball away from this area, this may be a hard task.”
Hobart United take on Nelson Eastern Suburbs at home at Pontville on Sunday and the visitors will have Nic De Carpentier back in goal after a knee injury ruled him out last weekend.
Ben Gibson returns to midfield, but 15-year-old Angus McIlhenny is unavailable despite impressing last weekend when he replaced Richard Flood.
Fourth-placed Kingston Cannons host bottom-side Christian United at Sherburd Park on Saturday without John White, who has a calf injury, and he will be replaced by John Prichard.
Saturday’s remaining match is between Kingborough Lions United and Huon Valley at Lightwood Park.