Walter Pless on Football

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 beat Cannons 4-3 in our last outing,” said Nelson coach, Michael Roach.

“We’re starting to create and take some goal-scoring opportunities, particularly through Paul Gazzignato and Bill Hanley, and we’ll go into this game with Hobart United feeling pretty confident of playing well.

“We’re expecting a tough encounter again after our 1-1 draw in the first round, but we think we can get all three points this time.”

United are also confident of doing well, but will miss midfielder Mohand Rahni, who has quit.

“We have lost player Mohan Rahni for the rest of the season due to personal reasons,” said United spokesman, Pedro Ramirez. “This will be a huge loss for the club, particularly in the way the team plays, since Mohan Rahni was a team leader.

“After a very disappointing game against Kingston Cannons, the team is in high spirits.

“This week, we will play the same eleven players that we had last week, and I think the selected players had a very good chance of winning last week’s game.

“This weekend, we are looking to have greater ball possession. The lads are more than capable of winning any game when they play united as a team.”

By Walter Pless

Beachside and South Hobart clash in a Division One top-of-the-table match at Sandown Park on Sunday.

Beachside lead the competition with 34 points, nine points ahead of South Hobart, so the visitors cannot afford to lose this match if they are to have any chance of taking the title.

Beachside have only three games to play, whereas South have two games in hand and a win would put them in the box seat.

The sides drew 3-3 in the first round, so this promises to be a very even match and one which could go either way.

Third-placed Kingston Cannons are at home to sixth-ranked Hobart United at Sherburd on Sunday and the odds must be slightly in favour of the Cannons.

The Cannons won the first-round encounter 1-0 away at Pontville and have the talent to repeat this result.

But, United cannot be discounted as they have picked up in recent weeks and are keen to finish this season on a high note after being relegated from the Premier League at the end of last year.

Fifth-placed Northern Suburbs-DOSA host second-last Christian United at the Showgrounds on Saturday and will try and reverse the result of the first-round meeting, which Christian won 3-2.

“Having only just succumbed to South Hobart by the odd goal on their mud patch last week, we are keen to carry some strong form into the match with Christian United on our home turf,” said DOSA coach, Stephen Pitchford.

“Daniel Skinner returns to the defence after missing last week through illness and he replaces Brendan Lietz.

“Our midfield of Jonathon Bellette, Rob Wilson and Richard Korn are performing well and, hopefully, we can convert some of this possession into goals through Derek Story, Mark Wakefield and Derek Parry.”

Last-placed Huon Valley entertain fourth-placed Kingborough Lions United at Ranelagh on Saturday, but the home side face a huge task to get anything out of this contest.

The gallant Valley have yet to earn a point this season and have a massive negative goal-difference, but their players come out, week after week, trying and giving it their best shot.

The Valley traded goals with the Lions at Lightwood Park in the first round before going down 6-3.

This performance shows that the home side can at least score against their opponents and the Lions can expect some resistance.

South Hobart have already won the Reserve League title and they should continue on their winning way against third-placed Clarence United away at Wentworth Park on Saturday and avenge the 5-2 loss to Clarence in the first round.

Second-placed Kingborough Lions United host sixth-ranked Hobart Zebras at Lightwood Park on Sunday and should repeat the 4-1 win of the first round.

Hobart Olympic, who slumped from second to fourth last weekend, visit Olinda Grove on Sunday to take on fifth-ranked University, who won the first-round encounter 2-1.

Bottom-side New Town Eagles are at home at Clare Street on Saturday to third-last Taroona and a win, as in the first round when Eagles triumphed 2-1, will lift Eagles above Taroona on the ladder.

Seventh-placed Glenorchy Knights play second-last Metro-Claremont at KGV Park on Friday evening.

By Walter Pless

Division One leaders Beachside face fourth-placed Kingborough Lions United away at Lightwood Park ton Saturday and are likely to increase their lead at the top to 12 points with a win.

But, that lead should be cut back to nine points on Sunday when second-placed South Hobart host fifth-ranked Northern Suburbs-DOSA at Wellesley Park.

Beachside lost 5-1 to Kingborough in the first round, but that may have been an aberration and the Lions are unlikely to repeat their performance.

DOSA coach, Stephen Pitchford, has cause for confidence against South Hobart after a win and two draws from the past three outings.

“Whilst Derek Story failed to score last week, the two goals by Robert Wilson and Jonno Bellette were fantastic strikes at the end of some good approach play,” said Pitchford.

“Derek Parry will start this week in place of Ryan Murphy, who was injured in a tackle from behind that didn’t even result in a free-kick.

“South will be keen to stay in touch with Beachside, but we are playing some good possession soccer of late and this match will be a lot closer than the 4-1 loss of the first round.”

Third-placed Kingston Cannons are away to seventh-ranked Nelson Eastern Suburbs at North Warrane on Sunday.

The Cannons blew Nelson away to the tune of 7-0 in the first round, but this should be closer.

Sixth-placed Hobart United entertain bottom-side Huon Valley at Pontville on Saturday.

Hobart United won 1-0 in the first round, but this should be a higher scoring match.

“We had a good training session this week and everyone worked really hard to improve our performance on the pitch,” said United’s player representative, Pedro Ramirez.

“We also worked on set-pieces and we will put these in to practice at the game.

“Coach Aubert Ruzigandekwe was pleased with his team selection.

“This week we have Jacob Kuel back in the squad, but we will be missing key striker Akuel Makuer Guot due to school commitments, while Thon Youl is out through a knee injury.

“We are confident we will come through with a win.”

Second-last Christian United have the bye.

DIVISION ONE (As at 21 July 2007)  

By Walter Pless

A goal in the opening minute gave New Town Eagles a 1-0 win, their first victory of the Premier League soccer season, over deposed champions Glenorchy Knights at KGV Park on Friday evening.

A simple cross from the left by Scott Telega and a header by Adam Shackcloth decided the match before the Knights had time to wake up.

It could have been more by the end as Shackcloth should have had a hat-trick, but his finishing was poor when twice faced with only goalkeeper Ben Peter to beat.

The Knights’ experiment of playing Jonathon Ladic in attack to partner Tom Huigsloot was a failure and he reverted to his midfield role in the second half.

Knights were poor in attack and Huigsloot and Nick Harrison each squandered half chances by trying to be clever and back-heel crosses into the net.

Huigsloot was also thwarted by Eagles goalkeeper Nathan Pitchford after he made a mess of a goal-kick and gifted possession to the powerfully-built Knights striker.

Harrison hit the outside of a post with one effort, but Knights never quite looked serious and had the look of a team in decline.

The win lifted second-last Eagles to six points, three clear of last-placed Metro-Claremont and two adrift of third-last Taroona.

University beat Metro-Claremont 5-1 at Olinda Grove on Saturday in a game that was stopped for 30 minutes to allow an ambulance to take University’s Rod Gretton to hospital after he collided heavily with Metro’s Jarrod Saunders after only five minutes and sustained a head injury.

The first half was shortened to 25 minutes and the second went for 42 minutes, which is against the laws of the game and cause for an official protest by Metro.

University scored through Julian Proud, who found the net twice in the end, Mark Rapley, Craig Stockdale and an own-goal, while Metro replied through Royston Dutton.

Two goals by Charles White, one by Ross Hinkley and an own-goal gave Kingborough Lions United a 4-0 win over Taroona at Lightwood Park.

On Sunday, Hobart Zebras and South Hobart broke away at the top of the Premier League ladder with just four rounds remaining after both won their matches.

Zebras moved to 33 points after whipping fourth-placed Clarence United 5-0 away at Wentworth Park, while South Hobart are on 32 points after downing third-placed Hobart Olympic 3-0 at South Hobart.

Two goals by Tom Roach gave South a 2-0 lead at the break, while an own goal by Youssef Mohamad, after Daniel Brown’s shot, wrapped up the match for the home side.

Kosta Grillas missed a couple of gilt-edged chances for Olympic, while South goalkeeper Mark Moncur made two quick saves in succession against Fletcher Tracy and Grillas midway through the second half.

Fletcher also headed against the South bar, but Jonathon Lo should also have added a fourth for South when presented with an easy chance by Alexander Gordon early in the second period.

Daniel Lapolla netted a hat-trick for the Zebras, for whom Michael Connolly missed a penalty, while Chris Cox and Aaron Brazendale also got on the score-sheet.

In the Reserve League, South extended their lead at the top to 11 points after beating second-placed Olympic 2-1 through goals by Tom Gordon and Callan Paske. Aaron Pinkus replied for Olympic.

Fourth-placed Clarence trounced sixth-placed Zebras 6-1, with Alan Jablonski netting a hat-trick, Aaron Wraight collecting a brace and Stefan Hamilton scoring once. Matt Hall scored the Zebras’ consolation goal.

In Division One, seventh-placed Nelson Eastern Suburbs, reduced to ten men when Thomas Roach was sent off after half an hour, came back from 2-0 down late in the match to draw 2-2 with eighth-placed Christian United at Sherburd on Sunday.

Isaac Lucas and Matt Laning put Christian ahead in the second half before late strikes by Lewis Gibbs and Paul Gazzignato salvaged a point for the visitors.

Fifth-placed Northern Suburbs-DOSA held the visiting fourth-ranked Kingborough Lions United to a 2-2 draw at the Showgrounds after trailing 2-1 at the interval through an own-goal by Jonathon Bellette and a strike by Luke Appleby.

Rob Wilson reduced the arrears before half-time, while Bellette redeemed himself by scoring the equaliser 12 minutes from the end.

Other Results: (Reserve League): Glenorchy Knights 1 (Ivan Vucica) dw New Town Eagles 1 (Chris Jones pen); University 2 (James Weller, Matthew Platts) lt Metro 4 (Jason Dawes, Andrew Herring, Aaron Cooke, Ryan Murtagh); Kingborough 2 b Taroona 0; (Division One) Hobart United 1 (Aubert Ruzigandekwe) lt Beachside 3 (Nick Gibson 2, Tom Sherman); Huon Valley 2 lt Kingston Cannons 5 (Neil Thomas 2, Nazih Abbas 2, Tuach Huseyin).

By Walter Pless

Division One soccer leaders Beachside face a tough assignment on Saturday when they travel north to Pontville to tackle Hobart United.

Beachside have a 6-point lead over second-placed South Hobart and are 14 points ahead of their sixth-placed opponents, but United could be dangerous on their home turf.

United signed South Hobart midfielder Gary Andrews during the week and will include him in their line-up.

Beachside will miss central defender Ben Davis, who has also featured as a prominent goalscorer.

His replacement is the experienced Kim Dae Won, while Josh Westland also makes a return after injury.

“We always have tough games against Hobart United and this is a big challenge for us,” said Beachside striker, Nick Gibson.

“We’re certainly not taking it lightly and we are looking forward to it.”

Third-placed Kingston Cannons travel to Ranelagh on Saturday to meet bottom-side Huon Valley and there can, realistically, be only one outcome - a win for the visitors.

The Cannons won 7-3 on their home ground in the first round and a similar goal feast can be expected this time.

Eighth-placed Christian United host seventh-ranked Nelson Eastern Suburbs at Sherburd on Sunday in what should be a close tussle on a heavy pitch.

Christian will promote central midfielder Peter Rae into the starting line-up from the bench and will hope to reverse their 1-0 loss of the first round.

“We were very disappointed at the first-round result when we went down to a very late goal,” said Christian’s spokesman, Jonathon Wierenga.

“I think we have a very good chance of winning this time.”

Nelson will have midfielder Jayden Andrews back, as well as play-maker Luke Wallace, who has been out through injury for the past seven weeks.

John Wallace and Scott Rogers are the players to miss out.

“We’re expecting a tight, close game and we hope that Sherburd will be open for business,” said Nelson coach, Michael Roa