Walter Pless on Football

By Walter Pless

Women’s State-wide Cup Final, KGV Park, Friday, 31 August 2007

Clarence United 1 (M Dixon 36)

Officials (l to r) Stephen Pitchford, Tom Humphries, Matthew Brooks, Jason Priest

Nelson Eastern Suburbs 3 (Hale 59, Dean 101, 102)

HT: 1-0 FT: 1-1 AET: 1-3 Att: 250 Ref: T Humprhries

Clarence United (1-3-4-2): T Joiner-Stewart - M Brighella - M Dabner, K Vienna-Hallam, M Nicholls - K Bolton, M Dixon, E Cripps, J McIntyre - H Dixon, K Enkelaar [Substitutes: J Jarvis, E Batt, S Clifford, E Van Chastelet] [Joint Coaches: R Bolton, A Baxter]

Nelson Eastern Suburbs (4-4-2): K Barker - N Hale, K Clark, L Barnes, A Belbin - S Morris, V Johnson, B Grant, E Longo - C Dean, A Jones [Substitutes: L Hooper, N Smith, A Underwood] [Joint Coaches: O Fitzgerald, G Slicer]

With a large moon rising in the east and rain occasionally pelting down, these two Eastern Shore sides fought out a cup final that really brought to life that old cliché about ‘the romance of cup football’.

On paper, Nelson Eastern Suburbs were hot favourites to win. They had beaten Clarence United 13-0 in their first league meeting, and Nelson had won the Summer Cup and the league. They are also in next weekend’s State premiership final against Launceston City in Launceston.

It was not until July that Clarence scored their first league goal, and they finished the season in second-last place. One could not have envisaged a more David and Goliath pairing than this final.

But, Clarence were a team transformed and they almost pulled off the sort of giant-killing feat that abounds in the annals of cup football.

Clarence were not outclassed. They led 1-0 at the break and were level at 1-1 after the regulation 90 minutes. It was only in extra-time that they ran out of legs and the physically stronger Nelson team gained the edge, despite being down to ten players after only an hour of the game.

Clarence prepare for a kick off

Nicole Hale, who started at right-back, but soon moved up into the attack, was sent off in the 59^th minute when she collected a second yellow card for celebrating her equalising goal. She pulled off her shirt and, clad only in a bra above the waist, ran towards the crowd while swinging her shirt above her head.

Hale had earlier been cautioned for standing over the ball at a Clarence free-kick. Her indiscipline in both instances was, fortunately for Nelson, not to cost them dearly.

Indeed, Nelson could, and probably should, have been down to nine players when Hale was sent off. After only five minutes of the match, goalkeeper Katelin Barker rolled the ball out into midfield for Lauren Barnes, but she was dispossessed by Marlugu Dixon.

Clarence goal scorer Marlugu Dixon - her two goals in the semi-final helped Clarence to reach the final

As Dixon set off for goal, Barnes, the last defender, pulled her back and conceded a free-kick just outside the box. Mr Humphries, surprisingly, did not even caution Barnes when he might easily have sent her off for the infringement.

Harkana Dixon’s free-kick came to nothing, however.

The statistics indicate Nelson’s superiority, but statistics do not tell the whole story.

They do not tell of the bravery of the Clarence side and their not inconsiderable skills.

The Dixon sisters were the equal of any players Nelson had, while goalkeeper Tess Joiner-Stewart was excellent and dealt superbly with many dangerous shots. It was a tragedy that her poor goal-kick in extra-time gifted Nelson their second goal, which ultimately turned the game in Nelson’s favour.

Jess McIntyre was splendid in midfield and her defending reliable. A real chip off the old block. Her father, Michael McIntyre, the former Metro and Juventus star, was in the stands watching and must have been well satisfied.

Nelson’s Vanessa Johnson was always dangerous with her shooting, especially from long range, while Barnes and captain Karen Clark made a formidable central defensive duo that proved almost impossible to break down.

Hale was always dangerous when she moved up to take over as a striker, and her header at the far post in the 8^th minute flew just wide. On the quarter-hour mark, she was put through by a diagonal pass from Johnson, only to shoot straight at the goalkeeper.

Clarence won their first corner of the match in the 36^th minute and it proved decisive. Harkana Dixon floated the ball over and Marlugu Dixon headed it home to give Clarence the lead.

Clarence Captain Emily Cripps receives her losers medal watch over by adoring Clarence fans

Hale equalised in the 59^th minute when she eluded the Clarence defence, got past the last defender and just managed to roll the ball agonisingly slowly towards goal. It beat Joiner-Stewart and hit the far right-hand post before crossing the line.

Joiner-Stewart made excellent saves to deny Belinda Grant and Johnson before the 90 minutes were up.

In the 4^th minute of extra-time, Clarence almost regained the lead when Harkana Dixon sent in a dangerous cross from the right and Barnes, in trying to clear, volleyed the ball against a post. The ball ricocheted to Marlugu Dixon, whose powerful shot flew straight into Barker’s arms.

Five minutes later, Clark pushed forward and fired just wide as Nelson increased the tempo of their attacks.

In the 101^st minute, a poor goal-kick by Joiner-Stewart went straight to Chrystal Dean, who advanced on goal and scored with a shot inside the far post to give Nelson a 2-1 lead.

Clarence’s Harkana & Marlugu Dixon

Within a minute it was 3-1 as Dean was released by a marvellous diagonal ball from the right of the Nelson defence and she raced through to easily beat Joiner-Stewart again.

Marlugu Dixon had another chance before the end, again from her sister’s corner, but she headed straight at the goalkeeper.

Nelson’s captain, Clark, paid tribute to the Clarence side as she hoisted the trophy, presented by Football Federation Tasmania president, Steve Gasparinatos.

“I’m very proud of them,” said Clarence United’s joint-coach, Ronnie Bolton, a former Hobart Olympic star.

“We’ve earned a lot of respect this year and I’m very proud of them.

“It’s very difficult to keep up with a team like Nelson and they’re the benchmark and have been for a number of years.

“Our girls tried, but to do it for ninety minutes is extremely difficult, and in extra-time is almost impossible.”

Nelson Eastern Suburbs joint-coach, Gary Slicer, was relieved to win.

There’s no bad moon rising for Nelson

“Yes, it was a relief after a first half in which the girls didn’t play too good at all,” said Slicer.

“Clarence came out, and, to give them credit, they really gave us a run for the money.

“Certainly a bit of a shaking in the dressing room at half-time.

“Losing a player and being down to ten wasn’t too good either.

“But, very relieved to win. The girls came out and did well in the second half.

“The second half, we came back, and in extra-time it really consolidated it for us and, from then on, they didn’t really worry us too much.

“Clarence didn’t give up right until the end, so they made us play.

“It was a very successful season for us. The Summer Cup, took the league out, and, of course, now the State-wide Cup.

“We’ve just got next week in Launceston for the State final, as well, against Launceston City.

“It’s been a great season for the girls.

Nelson Captain Karen Clark acknowledges and thanks Clarence

“We did very well against Launceston City the last time we came up against them and I think the girls will be really pumped up with this win.

“We’ll have a few tired legs, mind you, and a few of the girls are really aching, so we’ll give the girls a bit of a rest, have a look at what happens on Wednesday at training, and take it from there.”

Clarence United striker, Harkana Dixon, said: “We held them off pretty well as we’re near the bottom of the ladder.”

Harkana and her sister, Marlugu Dixon, worked well together and their corner combinations were a threat to Nelson.

“Too bad our second corner routine didn’t work,” said Marlugu. “We work pretty well together.

“We sort of try and work together. I know her game really well and we try and work together and help out the team.”

CLARENCE		NELSON
6	Goal Attempts	30
4	Shots on Target	16
3	Corners	13
7	Fouls Committed	9
1	Off-Sides	3
1 (M Dixon 76)	Yellow Cards	5 (Hale 40, 59, Jones 44, Belbin 58, Johnson 62)
0	Red Cards	1 (Hale 59)

 

Clarence United:

Clarence coaches Ronnie Bolton & Andy Baxter

PLAYER	GOAL ATTEMPTS	SHOTS ON TARGET
H Dixon	1	0
M Dixon	4	3
McIntyre	1	1

 

Nelson Eastern Suburbs:

Nelson coach Ossie Fitzgerald and assistant Gary Slicer

 

 

PLAYER	GOAL ATTEMPTS	SHOTS ON TARGET
Jones	2	1
Hale	3	2
Johnson	5	3
Morris	2	1
Grant	2	1
Underwood	4	2
Clark	3	2
Longo	3	0
Barnes	2	1
Dean	3	2
Hooper	1	1

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)

Team	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	For	Against	Points
BeachSide	14	11	2	1	61	16	35
South Hobart	13	9	2	2	44	17	29
Kingston Cannons	14	8	1	5	40	41	25
Northern Suburbs DOSA	15	7	3	5	34	29	24
Hobart United	15	7	2	6	27	23	23
Kingborough Lions	14	7	1	6	38	31	22
Nelson Eastern Suburbs	15	4	3	8	22	38	15
Christian United	13	3	2	8	23	36	11
Huon Valley	15	0	0	15	16	74	0

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

United’s Neads heads past two Nelson defenders

 

Division One, North Warrane, Sunday, 12 August 2007

Nelson Eastern Suburbs 0

Hobart United 1 (Neads 57)

HT: 0-0 Att: 70 Ref: I Colhoun

Hobart United’s Guot heads for goal

Nelson Eastern Suburbs (4-4-2): Martinez - Flood (Andrews 88), Sakul, Bradburn (Rudewych 65), Wojcik - Gibbs, L Wallace, Hoppitt, Marsh - Gazzignato, Hanley [Substitutes not used: Bradbury, Roach] [Coach: M Roach]

Hobart United (1-2-5-2): H King - Taban-Kuel - Hakizimana (Matheatau 80), Walker - Youl (Van 35), Ochilo, David, A King (Festo 46), Wolyan - Neads, Guot [Substitute not used: Gilroy] [Coach: A Ruzigandekwe]

Sixth-placed Hobart United beat seventh-placed Nelson Eastern Suburbs 1-0 away at North Warrane on Sunday in the only Division One match played this weekend.

Nelson defend a corner

The other three matches were all postponed because grounds were closed.

Bill Hanley had Nelson’s best chance of the opening half, but Haydyn King turned his 26^th-minute shot wide for a corner.

A goal by David Neads 12 minutes after the interval, following a great run down the right by Benjamin Wolyan, gave United their victory.

Nelson goalkeeper Joe Martinez even had a header that flew over the United bar

Nelson rallied in the latter stages of the second half and applied tremendous pressure on the visitors, but United held firm.

The closest Nelson came to breaking the deadlock was when Jackson Marsh hit the post following a corner.

Nelson even sent goalkeeper Joe Martinez into the opposing penalty area for a corner in the dying seconds and, although he got to the ball, his header flew high over the bar.

Wolyan sets up the goal for Hobart United

“I thought it was a good first half for us and I was happy with that, even though we didn’t score,” said Nelson coach, Michael Roach.

Nelson celebrate the winning goal while Nelson pick the ball out of the net

“We probably turned the ball over too much going into the attacking third in the first half.

“In the second half, I thought we were pitiful in the first 15 or 20 minutes and they deserved their goal, which was coming for a while.

Nelson head a cross clear

“As the game went on, we got a bit more desperate and definitely could have got a goal back from a couple of good chances, but, really, it was a poor second half and that’s what cost us.”

Hobart United coach, Aubert Ruzigandekwe, said: “The game was very disappointing for me.

“We had the win but I was not very happy about it.

“We didn’t play our normal game because there is a problem with training going on there.

“We have few numbers of players coming to training and we have very good quality, very good players.

United’s David outplays a defender before shooting

“I know many of them are very good players, but because they don’t come to training you can’t make a good game together.

“I wish they could come to training often. We are training twice a week and, if they don’t like it, we allow them to come once a week.

“But, it doesn’t change anything and we still don’t get many at training.

“They are very good, but they don’t train.

“Soccer is a collective game and they can’t make it on the ground here.

“So that’s what happened even in our last game against Kingborough. We lost that game.”

One way of stopping United’s Neads

NELSON		HOBART UNITED
14	Goal Attempts	13
7	Shots on Target	4
11	Corners	10
12	Fouls Committed	14
0	Off-Sides	6
0	Yellow Cards	1 (Neads 90)
0	Red Cards	0

Nelson Eastern Suburbs:

PLAYER	GOAL ATTEMPTS	SHOTS ON TARGET
Hoppitt	2	1
Hanley	4	3
Gibbs	2	1
Gazzignato	1	0
Wallace	1	0
Marsh	3	2
Martinez	1	0

Hobart United:

PLAYER	GOAL ATTEMPTS	SHOTS ON TARGET
David	1	0
Neads	6	1
Guot	4	2
Van	1	1
Wolyan	1