Walter Pless on Football

By Walter Pless

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Metro-Claremont survive in the Premier League despite losing 1-0 to Division One champions Beachside in this second-leg match in the promotion-relegation play-off at KGV Park.

Metro won the first leg 3-1 last Sunday at North Chigwell and, therefore, win 3-2 on aggregate.

Beachside complained that the Football Federation Tasmania rules for the play-off give them victory on away goals, but anywhere else in the world, it’s the aggregate score that counts and this will undoubtedly be so at the end of the day.

Beachside dominated this match and could easily have won by more than enough goals to make any arguments about the rules superfluous.

But, Metro defended resolutely and created some excellent chances of their own.

Metro’s best chance of the first half came in the 13^th minute when Aaron Marney was given time and space to control the ball inside the box, but the youngster side-footed the chance wide of the right-hand post.

Beachside has even better opportunities, however, but were denied by poor finishing and good goalkeeping by Neil Biggar.

In the 11^th minute, Sebastian Milford blazed over the bar when he should really have hit the target, while in the 27^th minute, Sam Howarth shot straight at Biggar.

In the 31^st minute, Milford took advantage of a rare error by Terry Kent to cut inside and shoot, but Biggar blocked with his feet. Milford also had Jacob Kavanagh unmarked to his left and as pass to him may have been more effective.

A terrible back-pass by Marney led to Beachside’s goal in the 35^th minute. Marney collected the ball in midfield and inexplicably tried to pass it back to the edge of his own box.

Milford gratefully accepted the pass and knocked the ball to Kavanagh, whose shot was parried by Biggar, but only to Milford, who scored with ease.

Eight minutes after the resumption, Shane Kent made a good run down the left but finished with a tame shot straight at goalkeeper Michael Soszynski.

Beachside suffered a major set-back in the 71^st minute when defender Anthony Grzinic was sent off after having won a free-kick. He made his feelings known to the Metro player who had fouled him and the assistant referee signalled for referee Mr Gadd.

After a brief consultation, Mr Gadd brandished the red card. He said later Grzinic was sent off for using foul and abusive language towards an opponent.

Beachside still managed to attack and in the 72^nd minute, Milford’s header almost put Kavanagh and Jonathon Greenwood through on goal, but the alert Biggar intercepted.

Metro, with a one-man advantage, managed to launch a few dangerous counter-attacks and, in the 94^th minute, found themselves in a three against one situation in attack. Adam McKeown’s shot, however, was turned wide for a corner by Soszynski.

From the corner, Metro created two more chances, but McKeown and Jason Dawes were thwarted in quick succession by the post and by Soszynski.

Mr Gadd blew the final whistle in the 95^th minute and it was the Metro supporters who went wild.

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• Beachside coach, Tony Kavanagh, said:

“It came down to a little bit of luck, and we needed just a little bit of luck today.

“We did enough to win. We stuck to our game plan and everyone played well and nobody let us down.

“Just a little bit of luck. I thought we were dealt with pretty harshly on the send-off and it cost us the promotion.”

• Metro-Claremont coach, Matthew Gasparin, said:

“It was a tough game, but credit to our boys today. We battled for the full ninety minutes.

“Our soccer was pretty ugly for most of the game, but we battled hard.

“I feel a bit sorry for Beachside. They had a week and a half of good soccer, so commiserations to them.”

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Beachside (1-2-5-2): Soszynski - Holmes - Grzinic, Johnson - MacDonald, Greenwood (Klasen 65), Howarth, Davis, Westland - Kavanagh, Milford.

(Subs not used: Dae Won, Gardner, Reason)

Booked: Milford

Sent-off: Grzinic

Goals: Milford 35

Metro-Claremont (1-3-4-2): Biggar - T Kent - Dutton, Chaffey, Curran (Herring 87) - Marney, McKeown, Rahni, Dawes - Guma (Hope 65), S Kent.

(Subs not used: Saunders, Kaden)

Booked: Chaffey, Dutton, Dawes, S Kent

Att: 350

Ref: D Gadd

By Walter Pless

Premier League-Division One Promotion/Relegation Play-off, 1^st Leg, North Chigwell, Sunday, 9 September 2007.

Metro-Claremont 3 (McKeown 9 pen, Guma 28, Chaffey 90)

Beachside 1 (Milford 52)

Match officials Michael Thain, Kim Barker & Steve Fagg

HT: 2-0 Att: 250 Ref: K Barker (Assistants: S Fagg, M Thain)

Metro-Claremont (1-2-5-2): N Biggar - T Kent - D Chaffey, R Dutton - J Dawes (J Saunders 79), A McKeown, S Hope, M Rahni, P Curran - E Guma, A Marney [Substitutes not used: A Herring, A Cooke, T Kaden] [Coach: M Gasparin]

Beachside (1-3-4-2): M Soszynski - A Holmes - S Johnson, B Davis, K Dae Won (A Reason 70) - A Grzinic (S Howarth 59), J Westland, B Klasen (J Greenwood 43), T Sherman - J Kavanagh, S Milford [Substitute not used: S MacDonald] [Coach: A Kavanagh]

Metro-Claremont breathed an audible and collective sigh of relief when central-defender Darrin Chaffey headed home Phil Curran’s corner in the final minute to give the home-side a 3-1 win over Division One champions Beachside in this promotion-relegation play-off at North Chigwell.

The result puts Metro in a commanding position as they fight for their Premier League survival.

The return leg is at KGV Park next Saturday. Beachside had to give up their home-ground advantage as their Sandown Park pitch has already been stripped of the goalposts and the ground prepared for athletics.

Beachside clear

Beachside coach, Tony Kavanagh, does not mind the change of venue because he believes the good surface at KGV will suit his team.

The talk for much of the week before this game was about ‘team stacking’. Beachside were accused of it when they signed South Hobart midfielder Bernhard Klasen on the Friday before the match.

Counter-accusations were levelled at Metro because of the signing of midfielder Mohand Rahni from Hobart United.

Neither claim carries much substance. Klasen has hardly played in South Hobart’s Premier League side this season and his appearances in the club’s lower-league sides were limited because of injury. Indeed, he limped off just before the interval in this game with a strained hamstring. His contribution up until then has been negligible and he must be in doubt for the return leg.

Beachside’s Ben Davis watches the outcome of an aerial tussle

Rahni was signed many weeks ago by Metro, and well before they knew they would be in the relegation play-offs.

It was all a storm in a teacup, according to Beachside coach, Tony Kavanagh.

Metro were without striker and captain, Shane Kent, but the experienced Terry Kent returned from suspension and lined up at sweeper. He was excellent in the first half, but his game fell below expectations in the second period as Metro had their backs to the wall and threatened to crumble.

Kim Dae Won played for Beachside, first at left-back and then in midfield. The Korean, who is in his 40s and has experience in the NSL and in the Korean top flight, showed some wonderful close ball skills when confronted by strong physical challenges, but his passing, especially over distance, sometimes left a lot to be desired.

Metro led 2-0 at the interval and appeared comfortable, but Beachside came back strongly in the second half and pulled a goal back early in the half to make for a tense finish.

While the last-minute goal will prove invaluable for Metro as they go into the return leg at KGV Park with a two-goal advantage, Beachside will be pleased that they at least scored an away goal.

Beachside goalkeeper, Michael Soszynski, received a nasty cut to the chin in a collision with Metro’s Edward Guma in the 39^th minute and play was held up for five minutes while the keeper received treatment.

                       
Soszynski with bandaged jaw and saving at the feet of Metro’s Guma

Soszynski saw out the game, however, and made a crucial save in the second half in a one-on-one situation with Guma.

Beachside’s Tom Sherman missed two good chances in the second half as Metro started to give the ball away in midfield, but both efforts flashed wide of the far post.

An Adam McKeown penalty, awarded for Sam Johnson’s foul on Guma in the 9^th minute, gave Metro the perfect start, while Guma headed the second into an empty net in the 28^th minute after Soszynski could only beat out McKeown’s ferocious shot.

Sebastian Milford scored for Beachside with a cracking shot in the 52^nd minute after Metro keeper Neil Biggar did well to parry a stinging low drive from substitute Jonathon Greenwood.

As the game wore on, Beachside looked satisfied with a one-goal deficit going into the second leg, but Metro’s supporters in the large crowd went wild when Chaffey popped up in the last minute with a vital third goal for the home side.

Soszynski thwarts Metro’s Darrin Chaffey

“That third goal was a God-send and it certainly sets us up for next week,” said Metro coach, Matthew Gasparin.

“It would have been pretty nervy if we’d stayed at 2-1.

“But, credit to Beachside. I thought they really battled well.

“They started well early in the first half, while in the second they really took it up to us.

Metro’s Stuart Hope & Aaron Marney challenges the Beachside defence

“We panicked a fair bit and we were very undisciplined, but next week’s another ball game and we’re looking forward to it.

“At half-time we felt pretty confident. That’s probably one of the most frustrating things about it.

“At half-time we spoke about just making sure we kept disciplined. We were determined and we shut their space down nice and early as we did in the first half.

Injured duo Bernhard Klasen and Michael Soszynski

“It fell away a bit, but credit again to Beachside. They took it up to us and they deserved to win Division One, that’s for sure.”

Beachside coach, Tony Kavanagh, said: “It was a scrappy affair and we could have done a little bit better.

“I thought we did enough to score some goals, but we could have done a little bit better.

“The third goal was a blow. We don’t normally concede goals from corners because we’re normally strong in the air.

“But, we left someone free and paid the price.

             
Beachsides’s Jonathon Greenwood in action

“We were always in the game at 2-1. I thought we were always in the game. I never thought we were out of it. Even in the first half going 2-0 down, I never thought we were out of it.

“I had confidence in the boys, but it just didn’t come.

“We had our chances in the second half. It’s been the same all year. We scored 60 odd goals and could have trebled that. We’ve just got to put our chances away.”

Metro’s Aaron Marney takes on Sam Johnson while Jonathon Greenwood looks on

Metro-Claremont:

Metro’s Darrin Chaffey (extreme right) heads home to make it 3-1

Beachside:

Darrin Chaffey heads home the all important goal 

By Walter Pless

Division One champions Beachside have signed South Hobart’s experienced utility player, Bernhard Klasen, on the eve of their promotion-relegation clash with Premier League wooden-spooners Metro-Claremont.

The sides meet at North Chigwell on Sunday in the first leg of the play-off, and again next Saturday at KGV Park in the crucial second leg.

Klasen was a match-winner in his prime, but injury has restricted his senior Premier League appearances this season, although his reading of a game, his technical prowess and his ability at free-kicks still make him dangerous.

Beachside’s other trump cards could be youngster Jacob Kavanagh and experienced goalkeeper Michael Soszynski.

Soszynksi has shunned the top flight in recent years and openly expressed his disdain for it, so now will be his chance to prove his mettle again.

Beachside’s players and coach Tony Kavanagh have watched Metro in recent weeks and will be well aware of what they will be facing.

Metro, whose Premier League future is at stake, must win convincingly tomorrow on their home turf, but they will have to improve their finishing.

Last weekend, in their final league match, Metro created numerous chances in the opening half against University but trailed 1-0 at the break before eventually losing 3-1.

They cannot afford similar lapses this time.

The return of the experienced Terry Kent at sweeper after a one-week suspension is a bonus for Metro, but it is in the goalscoring department that they will need to sharpen up.

Metro coach, Matthew Gasparin, admits to tension in the Metro camp and said that training had been less than impressive, with numerous absentees due to injury or illness.

“Veteran goalkeeper Neil Biggar and experienced defender Royston Dutton have the ‘flu and, if they can’t play, Troy Kaden will go in goal and Andrew Herring will come in to the side,” Gasparin said.

Defender Darrin Chaffey has a back injury, striker Aaron Marney has a neck problem, and midfielders Adam McKeown and Mohand Rahni have leg injuries.

“On the positive side of the ledger, the return of Terry Kent is good news,” said Gasparin.

“He has provided great penetration going forward since his stint as sweeper started some time ago.

“His cool head and impeccable ball skills will prove a handful for Beachside.”

Surprisingly, Gasparin said his team may adopt a defensive approach in an attempt to suss out Beachside’s capabilities and exploit these in next week’s return leg.

This could be a recipe for disaster as Metro need to establish their dominance in the home leg.

The women’s State premiership will be decided at Mitsubishi Park in Launceston on Sunday when northern champion Launceston City takes on southern title-winner Nelson Eastern Suburbs.

Nelson will be without the suspended defender Nicole Hale, who was sent off last weekend in the 3-1 win over Clarence United in the State-wide Cup final.

These two sides are perennial opponents at this level and the game should be very close.

Nelson won 3-2 when the sides met last season, but home-ground advantage may just tip the balance in City’s favour this time.

By Walter Pless

Second-placed South Hobart will continue their pursuit of Division One leaders Beachside this weekend in the final round of matches.

South Hobart beat Christian United 3-1 at KGV on Wednesday to move to within three points of Beachside.

Both teams have one game to play - South Hobart are at home to last-placed Huon Valley on Sunday, while Beachside are away to Christian United on Saturday.

If South Hobart are to win the title, Beachside would have to lose to Christian United and South Hobart would have to beat Huon Valley by a minimum of 15-0.

South won the first-round encounter against Huon Valley 10-0 away at Ranelagh.

They are at home at Wellesley Park this time, so anything is possible, but it may well be in Beachside’s hands as they just need a draw to make all the mathematical calculations irrelevant.

South Hobart are likely to field a similar side to that of Wednesday night.

Beachside will be without injured defender Ben Davis, which means Tom Sherman will start.

“We’ll have five 17-year-olds on view, which is quite normal for us,” said Beachside president, John Brierley.

“It’ll be like that when we play Metro in the promotion and relegation play-off.”

Most of the Beachside players were at KGV on Wednesday to watch Christian United and coach Tony Kavanagh will have worked out a strategy for victory.

Beachside beat Christian 3-0 in the first round at home at Sandown Park.

Christian will miss striker Jesse Arnold, who is in Melbourne, but Scott Nicholson will return after being in the north of the State in mid-week.

David Nettlefold may also return if he has recovered from illness.

The other game on Saturday features fifth-placed Kingborough Lions United at home at Lightwood Park against third-placed Kingston Cannons.

Cannons won the first-round encounter 3-1 and coach John Cionci is confident.

“We’ll have the same team as usual and we have held on to third spot, which is great,” said Cionci.

“I watched Kingborough draw with Nelson last weekend and I wasn’t impressed.

“They need to win, though, and they’ll be on their home turf, so they’ll be hard to beat.”

By Walter Pless

Beachside can take out the Division One soccer title on Saturday with a win against Northern Suburbs-DOSA at home at Sandown Park.

The league leaders have no injuries and will field a full-strength line-up against fourth-placed DOSA.

“DOSA are always a tough side for us,” said Beachside president, John Brierley. “We beat them last time, but we won’t be taking them lightly this time.

“If we win, we’ve won the title, and then we’ll have a lash at the Premier League.

“We can’t be too cocky as we’ll have to win the next two games in the play-off and we don’t know yet who that will be against.”

DOSA will give a start 15-year-old Calvin Frith in place of Brendan Lietz, who is unavailable, while Derek Story will be playing his 249^th and last match for the club.

Story hit a hat-trick last week to make it 88 goals in his career and coach Stephen Pitchford will be looking for a similar performance from him this time.

Richard Korn will be playing his 214^th and final match, as will Marcus Wilde in what is his 259^th game.

“Keeper Justin Farrugia plays his 100th game for the club this weekend and the team is keen to assist in a clean sheet and postpone Beachside’s premiership celebrations for another week,” said Pitchford.

“DOSA versus Beachside games have been keenly contested over the past few years and this weekend will be no different, with the boys keen to continue on from last weekend’s 4-1 second-half performance against Nelson.

“After we dumped Beachside out of the State-wide Cup on penalties, they came back to win the first league meeting, so the return battle will be a decider for this year.”

Second-placed South Hobart take on fifth-placed Hobart United at home at Wellesley Park on Sunday without Craig Burgess, who is out for three months after a knee injury.

David McCormack is unavailable because of work commitments, but Luke Williams and Bernhard Klasen are back and, together with the in-form Huw Jarvis and Travers Wailes, will give South a formidable combination.

“It should be a good game against Hobart United, but I’m quietly confident of a result,” said South Hobart coach, Jed Donoghue.

“I think the Beachside versus DOSA game will also be a good contest.”

Hobart United beat South Hobart 2-1 in the first round and, with David Jay, Kevin Ochillo and Molano Paulo in fine form, must have a chance this time.

“South Hobart will be more prepared as they are looking for first place, or to keep second place, so we will have to play tactically and play a defensive game,” said United’s Pedro Ramirez.

“Winning this game will give us a good ladder position and we are looking forward to our last challenge of the year.”

Third-placed Kingston Cannons host second-last Christian United at Sherburd on Saturday and United will welcome back Tim Wierenga and, possibly, Glenn Langerak.

David Wierenga is likely to be out because of a foot injury and Isaac Lucas is still ill, but Scott Nicholson is likely to keep his spot and Jesse Arnold is promoted after scoring twice in the reserves last week.

The remaining game of the round is at North Warrane on Sunday when seventh-ranked Nelson Eastern Suburbs host sixth-placed Kingborough Lions United.

Nelson’s Tom Roach returns from suspension, but defender Aaron Wojcik is omitted.

“The team played well in attack for the whole 90 minutes last week, but squandered a two-goal lead at half-time through some poor defending and missed numerous opportunities to score further goals,” said Nelson coach, Michael Roach.

“We’ll go into this game confident of a good showing.

“It’s the last match of the season for us and a last opportunity to show how well we can play.”

Division One Ladder (as at 19 August 2007)

By Walter Pless

With Division One leaders Beachside having the bye this weekend, second-placed South Hobart can make up ground in the race for the league championship.

South Hobart are away to third-placed Kingston Cannons at Sherburd on Sunday and a South Hobart defeat will effectively put them out of the title race.

Even a draw would virtually put South out of the hunt as Beachside would need just a point from their two remaining games to clinch the league championship.

South Hobart will have striker Andy Wilson back after an absence of several weeks, while striker Rowan Franklin also returns from injury and the two will spearhead the South attack.

Sweeper David McCormack and midfielder John McCormack also return to strengthen the South line-up.

Cannons welcome back sweeper John White after injury, while right-midfielder Oliver Giudici retains his spot after impressive recent performances.

“It’ll be a hard game for us to win, especially since South need the three points to keep their championship hopes alive,” said Cannons coach, John Cionci.

Fourth-placed Kingborough Lions United are away to sixth-placed Hobart United at Pontville on Saturday and a win for the home side could see them change places with the visitors on the ladder.

“Last time we met Kingborough we came out with a 3-1 win,” said Hobart United’s Pedro Ramirez.

“This time around, it is going to be a challenge, but nevertheless we feel confident of coming out with a win.

“Kingborough is a very experienced team and we have to play smart on possession and ball distribution.

“David Jay is the man for the job and hopefully he is up to the task, but we also need to tighten our defence.”

Fifth-placed Northern Suburbs-DOSA welcome seventh-placed Nelson Eastern Suburbs to the Showgrounds on Sunday and this will be the second-last game for DOSA’s Richard Korn, Marcus Wilde, Derek Story and Robbie Wilson, all of whom will hang up their boots at the end of the season.

DOSA striker Ryan Murphy is suspended after collecting too many yellow cards.

“We’re keen to win this one as we haven’t beaten Nelson this year,” said DOSA coach, Stephen Pitchford. “We gifted them two goals at North Warrane, but this time we have trained well and we expect a high-scoring game.”

Nelson will be missing Troy Hoppitt, who is in New Zealand, and his replacement is Jayden Andrews.

There is a fitness cloud over Jackson Marsh, and Rick Chew is ready to take his place.

The remaining match is between bottom-side Huon Valley and second-last Christian United at Ranelagh on Saturday.

Sweeper Tim Wierenga and full-back Glenn Langerak are unavailable for Christian United, which means starts for Brad de Hoog, who makes his senior debut for the season, and Scott Nicholson, who has been in the reserves.

Peter Otto returns to the senior side to replace Jesse Arnold as a striker, while central midfielder Peter Rae comes into the midfield in place of Isaac Lucas, who is ill with tonsilitis.

By Walter Pless

Division One leaders Beachside face a relatively easy assignment against second-last Christian United away at Sherburd on Sunday.

Beachside enjoy a comfortable 9-point lead over second-placed South Hobart, although the latter have two games in hand.

Beachside won the first-round encounter 3-0 and should come away with the points again.

Christian will promote Scott Nicholson and 18-year-old striker Jesse Arnold from the reserves.

“It’ll be a tough match for us, but we’re hoping to do all right,” said Christian spokesman, Jonathon Wierenga.

“We usually play well against them and have lost 3-0 and 2-0 in the past two meetings, which aren’t really blown out scores.”

South Hobart entertain bottom-side Huon Valley on Saturday at Wellesley Park, where the conditions are likely to be heavy.

“We’re disappointed after drawing 1-1 with Beachside last weekend,” said South coach, Jed Donoghue.

“Paul Jarvis and Rowan Franklin are both doubtful through injury, but Andy Wilson is back and tells me he is fit.

“I don’t know about Bernhard Klasen, but I don’t expect any trouble at all in winning this game.”

Fourth-placed Kingborough Lions United host third-ranked Kingston Cannons at Lightwood Park on Saturday and a win for the home side would see them swap places with the Cannons on the ladder.

Striker Martin Elliott will be an absentee for the Lions because of injury, while Luke Barlow, recently returned from overseas, will take a turn in goal this weekend.

The Lions have not had a regular keeper this season and Barlow, who is a good cricketer, will be able to demonstrate his goalkeeping prowess.

Seventh-placed Nelson Eastern Suburbs take on sixth-placed Hobart United at the earlier time of noon at North Warrane on Sunday and a win for Nelson will see them leapfrog United on the ladder.

“We should be able to field an unchanged team from the side that