Thursday, April 30, 2009

Chasing pack can gain ground on Northern Rangers

Photo: Devonport City welcome back Paul Scicluna against Somerset

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RIVERSIDE OLYMPIC V ULVERSTONE
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Windsor Park, 2.30pm, Saturday, 2 May 2009

Fourth-placed Ulverstone must be confident of beating seventh-ranked Riverside Olympic away from home after knocking off Prospect Knights last weekend.

Coach Kim Rigby will make only one change to last week’s side, bringing in Callum Foote, who was missing last week, in place of Will Cox-Haines, who is unavailable.

“Will is a 15- or 16-year-old and has played all our seniors games this year after spending last year in the under 18s,” said Rigby. “He has performed very well and will be missed.

“We gave a senior debut to another 16-year-old, Michael Groom, last week and he will retain his starting position.

“Adrian Beard, the captain, is still unavailable as he is on the mainland doing a 5-day event involving running, cycling, canoeing and so on.

“Brian Tabrett, our vice-captain, returned last week for his first full game this year and is not too far off full fitness.

“Riverside has had the wood on us over the last few seasons and has consistently beaten us by the odd goal, so we hope to reverse this trend on Saturday.

“A win will keep us up with the leader, which is crucial for us as we have the bye next round.

“Of note is the fact that last week our oldest player was John Cornell at 28 and, after substituting him late in the game, our eldest was 22.

“We finished the game with an age range of 15 to 22, a pleasing scenario for the club’s future.”

Riverside Olympic will have Ryan McCarragher back, but captain Robbie Hughes is still out because of a hamstring injury.

McCarragher will replace Riverside’s coach, Troy Scott, who has decided to watch the game from the sidelines.

“We’ve trained really well and we’ve nearly got our strongest squad, apart from Robbie, of course, available,” said Scott.

“We should come away with the points.”

Prediction: Riverside Olympic

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PROSPECT KNIGHTS V BURNIE UNITED
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Harley Parade, 2.30pm, Saturday, 2 May 2009

Fifth-placed Prospect Knights have a lot to prove in this match and they must be pleased that they are at home against sixth-ranked Burnie United.

The Knights suffered a humiliating loss last weekend to Ulverstone and went into free-fall on the ladder.

Burnie did not have a happy weekend either, succumbing 5-1 to Devonport City.

The television news and the FFT website gave the score-line as 5-1 in Burnie’s favour, which must have delighted the Burnie fans who weren’t at the game.

But, they soon realised the truth and their dreams were shattered.

Chris McKenna had been back to his old ways and hammered home a hat-trick.

Burnie have girded their loins, however, and are ready for this battle.

“Prospect were looking good up until probably last week, when they lost 1-0 to Ulverstone,” said Burnie United coach, Ray Parke.

“I believe now that they’re beatable because they and Northern Rangers looked the teams to beat this year.

“With that result, I think it’s given our boys a wee bit of confidence going up there that maybe they can do something.

“But, I do have my striker Aston Johnson out. He’s got a broken toe, so he’s got a plaster caste up to his knee and is definitely out.

“Other than that, we’ve got Adam Gillett back, who’s been out for a couple of weeks.

“Other than Johnson out and Gillett in, we’re going with basically the same team as last week.”

Prediction: Prospect Knights

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LAUNCESTON UNITED V LAUNCESTON CITY
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Birch Avenue, 2.30pm, Saturday, 2 May 2009

This bottom-of-the-table clash is, in effect, a 6-pointer for both sides as a loss could spell doom for this season.

The home side’s defence is shipping goals at an alarming rate and last weekend’s 10-0 drubbing at the feet of Somerset can hardly have improved the psychological well being of the players.

But, United coach Brian Dracup is ever the optimist and fancies his side’s chances against second-last City.

“After the disaster of last week, there have been a few changes,” said Dracup.

“We’ve changed a few of the personnel in there.

“Last week’s score was very embarrassing and, hopefully, we’ll get a big turnaround this week.

“It wasn’t a total disaster, but it didn’t go down well at all. It was not well received and we’ve certainly worked on things this week and worked very hard.

“As I said, there are a number of changes. There are certainly three in the starting eleven and a couple on the bench.

“I think we can win against City. They’re only just ahead of us and I think, fingers crossed, we should have the personnel this week to do it and people to give us a little bit more of what we desire, a little more input from them.

“There were virtually some passengers there last week and, certainly, we can’t afford that.

“We need everyone to give one hundred per cent.”

Launceston City have scored slightly more goals and conceded many fewer than United and, even though they are away from home, they should just sneak a win.

Prediction: Launceston City

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DEVONPORT CITY V SOMERSET
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Valley Road, 2.30pm, Saturday, 2 May 2009

This game is a fight for second place as both sides have 9 points and are 4 points adrift of leaders Northern Rangers, who have the bye.

A win would put the victor only a point behind Rangers and the pressure would be on the league-leaders.

Somerset will have been buoyed by last weekend’s 10-0 demolition of Launceston United, but Devonport City are a different kettle of fish.

Devonport beat Burnie United 5-1 last weekend and so their confidence will also be sky high.

Devonport may field the same side that played against Burnie, but Paul Scicluna is back after being unavailable last weekend and Scott Wilson impressed in the reserves in his first game of the season and may be included in the squad.

“It’s always a pretty intense game when we play Somerset and, while they’ve lost a few good players from previous years, they’ve picked up some more than handy replacements, so this year should be no different,” said Devonport’s hat-trick hero of last week, Chris McKenna.

“We drew with them in the first round of the Summer Cup this year and they got over us in the final, so we’re keen to get one back on them this weekend and continue our climb up the ladder.

“We’ve been able to find the net 16 times in the last three games, so, hopefully, we can continue along those lines in this weekend’s game.”

Prediction: Devonport City

Fight for first place in Southern Premier League should continue to be close








Photos (Top to Bottom): Chris Tsakiris is back for Hobart Olympic against Clarence; Olympic's Paul Kaproulias will return for the Clarence match; Troy Kaden is back in goal for Zebras; Frank Mainella has made way for Troy Kaden; George Krambousanos, coach of New Town Eagles; Ben Crosswell in fine form for Zebras; Bart Beecroft not yet ready to play for South Hobart; Zebras coach, Nick Lapolla

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NEW TOWN EAGLES V GLENORCHY KNIGHTS
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Clare Street, 2.30pm, Saturday, 2 May 2009

Fifth-placed New Town Eagles host sixth-ranked Glenorchy Knights at Clare Street on Saturday in what should be a close game.

Both sides have 9 points and the Knights just scraped home 4-3 in their first-round encounter.

Eagles, one of only two teams to have scored in every game - the other is Zebras - have improved since then and are confident of winning.

“This should be the match of the round and it’s important for both teams to win in order to keep up with the leading four sides and get further away from the bottom two,” said Eagles coach, Georger Krambousanos.

Eagles will miss defender Matthew Rybak once again, while Wade Savage is doubtful after being substituted because of a persistent knee injury last weekend.

Goalkeeper Michael Soszynski should be back for Eagles after serving a one-match ban resulting from his dismissal against South Hobart a couple of weeks ago.

Knights have lost their past two games and will be desperate for a win to lift them up the ladder.

Their defensive problems were clearly evident in last week’s 6-1 loss to Tilford Zebras.

Poor goalkeeping, poor communication between the goalkeeper and his defenders, and an inability or unwillingness to track opponents and to cut out through balls were all factors.

Coach Eamonn Kelly will have to work on these aspects of his side’s game and he may need to consider a change of personnel.

If the Knights can get these things right, they are in with a real chance against an Eagles outfit that emphasises defence and counter-attack.

Prediction: Glenorchy Knights
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SOUTH HOBART V UNIVERSITY
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South Hobart, 2.30pm, Saturday, 2 May 2009

South Hobart should be untroubled in maintaining top spot on the Forestry Tasmania Southern Premier League ladder on Saturday because they should easily account for bottom-side University at Washington Street.

The reigning league champions should make it three wins in a row because University have lost all seven of their games and look the favourites for relegation.

The first-round match between these teams was won 3-0 by South Hobart, but at considerable cost as captain Bart Beecroft was injured and has not played since.

Coach Ken Morton said that Beecroft is still about two months away from action.

South Hobart may even pull three points clear at the top as second-placed Tilford Zebras have a difficult away fixture against third-ranked Kingborough Lions United at Lightwood Park on Sunday.

Morton is wary of University and knows they must turn the corner sooner or later. He hopes it is not against his side this weekend.

He watches part of University’s match last weekend against New Town Eagles and saw their potential.

University will find the going even tougher away from home and are unlikely to turn the corner this time out.

Prediction: South Hobart
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CLARENCE UNITED V HOBART OLYMPIC
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Wentworth Park, 6.30pm, Saturday, 2 May 2009

Third-placed Clarence United have earned just one point from a possible nine from their past three outings and must beat second-last Hobart Olympic at home at Wentworth Park in a night match on Saturday to get their title chase back on track.

Clarence coach Andrew Brown does not expect to make any changes to the team that lost 3-0 at this venue to South Hobart last Saturday night.

Olympic suffered a meltdown in the closing stages of their match against Kingborough Lions United last weekend and lost 2-1, which means coach Farrell Shaw must impress upon his players the need to concentrate for 90 minutes.

Olympic will be without suspended midfielder Carl Larzabal, who scored the goal against the Lions last weekend but was later sent off.

They will be strengthened by the return of Chris Tsakiris and Paul Kaproulias.

The sides drew 0-0 in torrential rain at South Hobart in the first round. Let us hope that conditions won’t be the same this time.

Prediction: Clarence United
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KINGBOROUGH LIONS UNITED V TILFORD ZEBRAS
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Lightwood Park, 2.30pm, Sunday, 3 May 2009

Tilford Zebras drew 4-4 with Kingborough Lions Umited in the first round and neither side can be confident of a victory this time.

Zebras will be going for their fifth successive win and this is the stuff of which league titles are made, so the incentive is certainly there for a determined performance.

Zebras go into this game after demolishing Glenorchy Knights 6-1 last weekend, but poor defending by the Knights contributed significantly to that score-line.

Nevertheless, the Zebras will have gained enormous confidence from that result and will be determined to earn the three points in style.

Central defender Ryan Smith, who missed the game against the Knights through illness, returns to the Zebras line-up, as does goalkeeper Troy Kaden, who is preferred to Frank Mainella.

“Everyone else is fit so it’s back to our normal squad,” said Zebras coach, Nick Lapolla. “It’s not going to be 4-4 again.

“I guarantee it won’t be. It won’t be a goal feast like that if we can help it.

“You’ve always got to be confident going into a game. If we play the way we have been, we’re always going to win.

“Dwayne Walsh finally got his confidence with four goals last week and he was banging them into the back of the net at training on Thursday and Troy was getting out of the way.

“Crosswell and Walsh are starting to play together now, which is good.”

The Lions defence should be a tougher proposition with Michael Wells due to return to the line-up.

With Charles White also back in the team, Kingborough should provide formidable opposition.

They will, however, be without the suspended midfielder Brett Andrews, who was sent off against Olympic last weekend and his forceful presence will be missed.

Prediction: Tilford Zebras

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Olympic lose in last few minutes to the Lions









Photos (Top to Bottom): Kingborough's Tom McDonald (No. 9) in an aerial duel with Olympic's Lee Mason; Kingborough keeper Jason Voss flies through the air as Lee Mason's shot rebounds from the crossbar; Olympic's Peter Tsakiris (left) beats Tom McDonald to the ball; Olympic's Robert Lebski receiving a hand-up from referee Craig Phillips and team-mate Peter Tsakiris; Robert Lebski tangles with Brett Andrews; Kingborough's marking system at the back; Olympic's Adam Hedge wins a header in midfield; Kingborough's super-sub Greg Freeman; Hobart Olympic's excellent keeper Dmitri Nester, who made a brilliant save in teh first half from Marcello Marchioli


Forestry Tasmania Southern Premier League, South Hobart, Sunday, 26 April 2009

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Hobart Olympic 1 (Larzabal 58)
Kingborough Lions United 2 (D Pearce 84, Freeman 86)

HT: 0-0 Att: 120 Ref: C Phillips
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Hobart Olympic: Nester - Lebski, Y Mohamad, P Tsakiris, Tsimiklis - Larzabal, Mason, A Hedge, Djekanovic (Conquest 85) - Bulis, Kunwar (Richardson 38) [Substitutes not used: E Tsakiris, Plomaritis] [Coach: F Shaw]

Kingborough Lions United: Voss - Palmer, Iseli, D Pearce (McConnon 87), Kerr - Bevan, Andrews, Marchioli, R Hinkley - T Pearce (Greg Freeman 68), McDonald (Bremner 92) [Substitute not used: Leamey] [Coach: Geoff Freeman]
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This win lifted Kingborough Lions United to third place on the Forestry Tasmania Southern Premier League ladder and dumped Hobart Olympic to second-last spot.

The Lions were without Charles White - his wife had given birth to their first child the day before - and Andrew Kerr came in to the side.

Trent Pearce also made his debut in attack.

Olympic were missing Chris Tsakiris and Paul Kaproulias, but the former Glenorchy Knights striker Lincoln Conquest made his first appearance for the club as a substitute after missing a couple of seasons through illness.

The first half was a forgettable affair with very few chances.

Olympic’s best came when Michael Bulis raced clear on the right of the box but shot wide.

At the other end, a brilliant save by Dmitri Nester saved Olympic. Tom McDonald had put Marcello Marchioli in on the left side of the box and a goal appeared certain, but Nester somehow got an arm to the shot and deflected the ball over the bar.

Olympic lost the lively and quick Dipendra Kunwar after 35 minutes when he copped a shot in the nether regions and failed to recover.

Ten minutes into the second half, Bulis failed to capitalise on a blunder by keeper Jason Voss, who dropped the ball at the striker’s feet. Bulis may have been caught by surprise at this generosity and he blazed high and wide of the target.

Three minutes later, he did much better as he played a ball wide to the left for Danijel Djekanovic, whose delightful cross to the far side of the box was expertly steered inside the far left-hand post by Carl Larzabal with a header.

Olympic were not content with just a one-goal lead and Lee Mason crashed a great shot against the Kingborough bar from long range. Voss may just have got a hand to it to force the ball onto the woodwork.

A spat between Larzabal and Kingborough’s Brett Andrews in the 81st minute saw Larzabal sent off. After consulting his assistant, Mr Phillips also dismissed Andrews.

Three minutes later, Kingborough made the most of the extra space provided by a ten versus 10 encounter to equalise.

Ross Hinkley floated a free-kick from deep on the left towards the far post and Damien Pearce headed past Nester to make it 1-1.

Two minutes later, Lions substitute Greg Freeman hit the winner following Ryan Bevan’s corner from the left.

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  • Hobart Olympic coach, Farrell Shaw, said:

“It was a game that could have gone either way.

“In the first half they played better than us. They’re a more counter-attacking side than us.

“In the second half, we came out and started a bit scrappy and got better as the game went on.

“We fell asleep in the last five minutes because of the send-offs and the altercation with the crowd and we just stood still and we stopped.

“Two set plays, and they scored. Unfortunately, that’s the way it goes sometimes.

“If you stop playing, you stop.”

  • Kingborough Lions United coach, Geoff Freeman, said:

“It wasn’t a pretty game, particularly because they were quite content to play the long ball and try and work their two front guys in, Bulis and Dippa, who are both quite quick.

“Particularly early, they caught us on the hop a couple of times.

“We probably tries to play similarly, which is strange because that’s not how we train and how we endeavour to go out and play.

“In the second half we tried to play a little bit more our style.

“It was a scrappy game. Happy to come away with the win.

“Greg is proving a super sub. He might not be able to get a start if he keeps this up.

“Pleased with the win and pleased with the boys and also really happy that Andrew Kerr came in and was quite good at the back there, and Trent Pearce for his first start showed he is a promising player for the future.”
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STATISTICS

HOBART OLYMPIC KINGBOROUGH
9 Goal Attempts 13
3 Shots on Target 6
3 Corners 6
17 Fouls Committed 11
3 Off-Sides 1
1 (Mohamad 94) Yellow Cards 1 (Marchioli 68)
1 (Larzabal 81) Red Cards 1 (Andrews 81)

Hobart Olympic:

PLAYER GOAL ATTEMPTS SHOTS ON TARGET
Bulis 3 0
Kunwar 1 1
Lebski 2 0
Larzabal 1 1
Mason 1 1
Hedge 1 0

Kingborough Lions United:

PLAYER GOAL ATTEMPTS SHOTS ON TARGET
Hinkley 2 1
T Pearce 1 0
McDonald 3 0
Marchioli 2 1
D Pearce 2 2
Iseli 1 0
Freeman 2 2

Weekend Match Summary







Photos (Top to Bottom): Olympic's Dipendra Kunwar lasted only 35 minutes of the match; Voss saves an Olympic shot; Peter Tsakiris clears ahead of the Lions' Tom McDonald; The two No 14s don't know where the ball is; Andrews sees red; Larzabal is shown the red card by Mr Phillips; Olympic's Adam Hedge shields the ball from Kingborough's Marc Iseli


Four goals by Dwayne Walsh and two by Ben Crosswell powered Tilford Zebras to a 6-1 win over Glenorchy Knights at KGV Park on Friday night.

The win put Zebras on top of the Forestry Tasmania Southern Premier League ladder, but they dropped back to second place on goal-difference 24 hours later when South Hobart beat third-placed Clarence United 3-0 at Wentworth Park on Saturday night and resumed the leadership.

Two first-half strikes by Kostas Kanakaris and one by Jonathon Ladic gave South their win over Clarence in the first senior men’s night match at Wentworth Park, which was played before the biggest league attendance this season.

Knights squandered the chance to take the lead against the Zebras when Amadu Koroma had a tame effort cleared off the line by Andrew Telega.

Zebras immediately took advantage of some poor defending to race to a 2-0 lead in the opening five minutes as Walsh and Crosswell both got off the mark.

Walsh made it 1-0 when he hammered home the loose ball, which was dropped at his feet by Knights goalkeeper Ben Peter, who was impeded in going for Jayden Welch’s cross by team-mate Anthony Grundy.

Crosswell added the second when Knights failed to cut out a long ball forward by Henry Fagg.

Jade Clay pulled a goal back for the Knights in the 23rd minute, but Walsh restored the Zebras’ two-goal buffer before the interval after good work down the left by Welch and Crosswell.

Walsh completed his hat-trick with a quickly-taken free-kick in the 78th minute, awarded for Grundy’s foul on Crosswell, and then made it 5-1 nine minutes from the end with a fine finish after beating defender Jackson Marsh to Michael Connolly’s deep cross from the left.

Crosswell completed the rout in the 85th minute, beating Alex Holmes to Ricky Self’s cross from the byline on the right and heading powerfully past Peter.

South Hobart goalkeeper Ben Kruijver was the man-of-the-match against Clarence as he made at least five outstanding saves to deny the home side the chance of possibly snatching a point.

The visitors exploited deficiencies on the flanks as Liam Scott and Ricky Eaves made forward runs and set up team-mates with crosses.

Kanakaris made it 1-0 in the 12th minute after Scott’s cross from the left, while Ladic headed the second in the 21st minute, converting Eaves’s near-post cross from the right.

Kanakaris added the third on the half-hour, again from Scott’s pass, to put South level on 16 points with Zebras but with a better goal-difference edging them ahead in the standings.

In the Forestry Tasmania Northern Premier League on Saturday, Somerset smashed bottom-side Launceston United 11-0 on Saturday after leading 4-0 at half-time and moved from sixth to second place on the ladder.

Northern Rangers stayed top of the table with a 3-0 home win over second-last Launceston City on Saturday night at the NTCA ground.

Goals by Derek Schipper and Mark Ambrose gave Rangers a 2-0 lead at the break, while Paul Bremner added the third.

On Sunday, Kingborough Lions United moved up a place to third on the southern Premier League ladder with a 2-1 win over sixth-placed Hobart Olympic at South Hobart..

Olympic dropped a place to second-last because New Town Eagles downed bottom-side University 3-0 at Clare Street to move up to fifth place on goal-difference.

Olympic and Lions were level at 0-0 at half-time after a poor opening 45 minutes which saw Olympic lose striker Dipendra Kunwar through injury and Michael Bulis shoot just wide when clean through on goal.

Kingborough’s only chance came when Tom McDonald set up Marcello Marchioli, whose shot was turned over the bar for a corner by goalkeeper Dmitri Nester.

Carl Larzabal headed Olympic in front in the 58th minute after good play on the left by Bulis and Danijel Djekanovic.

Olympic almost added another in the 62nd minute, but Lee Mason’s excellent shot from long range came back off the crossbar after keeper Jason Voss appeared to get his fingers to the ball.

Larzabal and Kingborough’s Brett Andrews were sent off after an altercation in the 81st minute and, three minutes later, Damien Pearce headed the Lions level from a free-kick by Ross Hinkley.

In the 86th minute, Greg Freeman again proved a super-sub when he struck the winner following Ryan Bevan’s corner.

First-half goals by Jacob Kavanagh and Adam McKeown gave Eagles a 2-0 lead over University at the break, while Alex Gordon hit the third.

With the first round of seven matches completed, University looks a clear favourite for relegation.

In the north on Sunday, Ulverstone pulled off a fine win, downing Prospect Knights 1-0.

Devonport City beat Burnie United 5-1.

Sunday results






Photos (Top to Bottom): Dipendra Kunwar...Olympic's masked raider went off injured after just 35 minutes; Peter Tsakiris heads clear as Hobart Olympic defend; Olympic's Danijel Djekanovic starts an attack; Olympic's Michael Bulis sprints away from Kingborough's Marc Iseli; The Kingborough attackers are outnumbered 7 to 4 by Olympic defenders; Olympic's Michael Bulis gets in a cross despite the attentions of Marc Iseli


Forestery Tasmania Southern Premier League


Hobart Olympic 1 (Larzabal 58) Kingborough Lions United 2 (D Pearce 84, Freeman 86)
New Town Eagles 3 (Kavanagh, McKeown, Gordon) University 0

Reserves

Hobart Olympic 3 (E Tsakiris, D Kanakaris, S Mohamad) Kingborough Lions United 1 (Bremner)
New Town Eagles 2-0 University

Under-19s

Hobart Olympic 2 (Pepper, Shabaneh) Kingborough Lions United 1 (O'Connell)
New Town Eagles 0-5 University

Division Two

University Dynamos 0-2 Eagles White
Eagles Red 1-4 Glenorchy Knights
Kingston Cannons 1-2 Hobart Olympic
Kingborough Lions United 2-1 Beachside

Forestry Tasmania Northern Premier League

Burnie United 1-5 Devonport City
Ulverstone 1-0 Prospect Knights

Saturday, April 25, 2009

South Hobart regain top spot on Premier League ladder

Forestry Tasmania Southern Premier League, Wentworth Park, Saturday, 25 April 2009
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Clarence United 0
South Hobart 3 (Kanakaris 12, 30, Ladic 21)

HT: 0-3 Att: 200 Ref: S Collins
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Clarence United (4-4-2): Moschogianis - Toghill, Lewis, Ling, J Huigsloot (Hamlett 39) - McMahon, Cannamela, Hunt, Stevens - Cripps, Barron (Phillips 86) [Substitutes not used: Knapek, Sweetten] [Coach: A Brown]

South Hobart (4-2-3-1): Kruijver - Pennicott, Ludford, Heerey, Scott - D Brown, Upton (Hickey 67) - Eaves (Cooper 88), Ladic, Abbott - Kanakaris (Ross 73) [Substitute not used: Moncur] [Coach: K Morton]
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It was a cool night at Wentworth Park for the first senior men’s night match under the newly installed floodlights.

But, the rain and wind thankfully stayed away and the largest crowd for a league match anywhere this season was in attendance.

Unfortunately, Clarence could not celebrate a victory at their after-match function in the clubrooms.

A minute’s silence was observed before the kick-off for ANZAC Day, and Clarence president Gordon Jablonski read a traditional verse over the public address system.

All niceties were then put aside as the game kicked off and the fouls soon flowed freely.

Kanakaris needed treatment after one particular clash in the 37th minute with Jacob Huigsloot, which earned the Clarence player a yellow card. He was immediately substituted by coach Andrew Brown and Ben Hamlett came on in his place.

By that stage, Kanakaris had already scored twice and it was 3-0 for the visitors.

South Hobart goalkeeper Sam Kruijver was in brilliant form and deserved a lot of the credit for their win.

In the first half alone, he made a spectacular double-save from Julian McMahon and Andy Barron, and another from Luke Cripps.

In the second half, he made a splendid double save in a split second against Barron and Hamlett.

South Hobart surprisingly rested Shae Hickey and David Cooper, although both came on during the second half.

Youngster Jim Pennicott was preferred at right-back and he did very well in what was a tough, physical match.

Hugh Ludford and Gary Upton returned from suspension for South and Upton was in the thick of the physical challenges and controlled himself admirably.

Clarence could have scored first when they were awarded a free-kick wide on the left in the 11th minute. Huigsloot floated the ball towards the far post, but Cripps glanced his header wide.

Having been let off the hook, South took the opportunity to go in front a minute later when Liam Scott pushed forward on the left and passed inside for Kanakaris to slot home.

On the quarter hour, Kruijver produced his first spectacular save. He did well to block McMahon’s shot, and the follow up by Barron. The ball then rebounded to Cripps, who shot over the bar with the goal at his mercy.

In the 18th minute, Clarence keeper Michael Moschogianis did well to clear with his feet before the advancing Ricky Eaves could shoot.

An error in midfield by Daniel Brown in the 20th minute allowed Cripps to advance on goal, but Kruijver saved bravely at the striker’s feet.

South counter-attacked immediately and Jonathon Ladic got onto the end of Eaves’s cross from the right to power a header inside the near top corner and make it 2-0.

A minute later, it was Ladic’s error in midfield that allowed Chris Hunt a clear run at goal, but he shot tamely into the side-netting.

South counter-attacked again within seconds and Eaves cut in from the right but placed his low shot just wide of the far left-hand post.

On the half-hour, Scott again found space to attack down the left and he fed Kanakaris, who side-footed home to make it 3-0.

Moschogianis had to produce a fine save to deny Eaves before the first half ended.

The second-half was a much more even affair with Mattias Toghill, who had switched to left-back from right-back, saving Clarence’s bacon in the 69th minute as he cleared the ball just ahead of the sprinting David Abbott, who had been put through on the left by a clever pass from substitute Hickey.

Eight minutes from the end, Clarence seemed certain to score, but Kruijver denied Barron and Hamlett with two point-blank range saves within a microsecond of each other.

The win lifted South Hobart back to the top of the ladder, level on 16 points with second-placed Tilford Zebras, but with a better goal-difference.

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Clarence United coach, Andrew Brown, said:

“There’s an old adage in football which goes, ‘Those who score goals win matches’.

“We defended poorly in the first half. South Hobart finished clinically.

“We still created as many chances, I think, and we weren’t as clinical.

“We re-shaped a little bit in the second half and I thought we were a far better side in the second half. I hardly saw South Hobart get out of their half.

“We still created goal-scoring opportunities but we still weren’t good enough to finish.

“In the second half, I thought we were as dominant as I’ve seen anybody playing South Hobart in two years.

“I think maybe those independents watching may have seen a few cracks in South Hobart. I think, as the season goes on, those cracks will widen.”

South Hobart coach, Ken Morton, said:

“A good victory. We played well and knocked the ball well in the spaces and in behind where they left us.

“Some good crosses and some good finishing. We could have had a few more goals.

“A good performance and I’ve got to be happy with that three nil away.

“I mean, it was a big occasion for Clarence. The lights, six-thirty kick-off on a Saturday, so we have to be happy to come here and do that.

“Yeah, happy with the performance.

“Our goalkeeper has had a couple of saves to make, but if we won 9-1, 9-2, it would have been a fair result. We played them off the park. That’s what goalkeepers are there for.”

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STATISTICS

CLARENCE UNITED SOUTH HOBART
16 Goal Attempts 16
8 Shots on Target 8
2 Corners 7
18 Fouls Committed 15
1 Off-Sides 11
3 (J Huigsloot 36, Barron 55, Cripps 92) Yellow Cards 1 (D Brown 58)
0 Red Cards 0

Clarence United:

PLAYER GOAL ATTEMPTS SHOTS ON TARGET
Hunt 3 1
Cripps 3 0
Stevens 1 1
McMahon 1 1
Barron 2 2
Ling 1 1
Hamlett 3 2
Cannamela 1 0
Toghill 1 0

South Hobart:

PLAYER GOAL ATTEMPTS SHOTS ON TARGET
Ladic 3 3
Kanakaris 4 2
Upton 1 0
Eaves 3 1
Abbott 2 0
Hickey 3 2

Saturday results as they come in

Forestry Tasmania Northern Premier League

Somerset 11-0 Launceston United
Northern Rangers 3-0 Launceston City

Forestry Tasmania Southern Premier League

Clarence United 0-3 South Hobart (Kanakaris 12, 30, Ladic 21)

Reserves

Clarence United 0-4 South Hobart (Seth Otte 2, Simon Burrett pen, Jai David)

Under-19s

Clarence United 4-0 South Hobart

Division Two

Glenorchy Knights 4-1 New Town Eagles Red

Friday, April 24, 2009

Zebras hit Knights for six in Friday night joust

Forestry Tasmania Premier League, Friday, 24 April 2009, KGV Park
_________________________________________________

Tilford Zebras 6 (Walsh 3, 27, 78, 81, Crosswell 5, 85)
Glenorchy Knights 1 (Clay 23)

HT: 3-1 Att: 153 Ref: I Jozeljic

___________________________________________________

Tilford Zebras: Mainella - Pace, Telega, Connolly - Brazendale, Cairns, Fagg, Self, Welch (Hall 80) - Walsh, Crosswell [Substitutes not used: Thorpe, F Lapolla] [Coach: N Lapolla]

Glenorchy Knights: Peter - Marsh, Grundy, Holmes, Wiggins - Clay, Fielding, Hope (Lawler 60), Kamba (Roberts 54) - Koroma (Sherman 80), Smith [Substitute not used: Tatnell] [Coach: E Kelly]

____________________________________________________

This emphatic win puts Tilford Zebras on top of the Forestry Tasmania Southern Premier League ladder.

They are three points ahead of second-placed and previous leaders South Hobart, who can regain top spot by beating Clarence United away at Wentworth Park on Saturday night.

It could have been a disastrous start for the Zebras as they survived a scare as early as the first minute, when Amadu Koroma had a tame shot cleared off the line by Andrew Telega.

After that, the Zebras never looked back.

They hit the front in the 3rd minute and led 2-0 after 5 minutes. It could have been 7-3 after just 25 minutes if both sides had taken their chances.

The Knights defence was atrocious and goalkeeper Ben Peter had a nightmare.

As it was, Zebras led 3-1 at the break and, although the Knights were on top for the first 20 minutes of the second half, Zebras hit another three goals before the end to assert their superiority.

The Knights spent most of the half-time break out on the pitch and it did seem to focus them on their task as the second half started, but they soon fell away and were given a footballing lesson as the Zebras might have easily reached double figures.

Jade Clay was probably the Knights’ best player and he hit a marvellous goal to make it 2-1 after 23 minutes.

Walsh scored four goals and Crosswell two as the two Zebras strikers ran riot.

They might have had plenty more but for poor finishing.

The Knights' Jayden Wiggins was a lucky player. He received one yellow card but was fortunate not to be sent off later. In the second half, he up-ended Aaron Brazendale near the left corner flag and Mr Jozeljic took a lenient approach to the foul.

Corey Smith was a busy player for the Knights. He went close to scoring on a couple of occasions and even had a case for a penalty in the second half when he appeared to be impeded by Andrew Telega as he threatened to break through on goal. But, earlier in the game, his shoulder charge on Telega was a bit ordinary and he was lucky to get away with out a word from the referee.

In the 3rd minute, Peter was spoiled by team-mate Anthony Grundy as he went for a high ball into the box from Jayden Welch on the left. The keeper spilled the ball, straight to the feet of the gleeful Walsh, who hammered it home.

Two minutes later, a long ball out of defence by Henry Fagg eluded Wiggins and Brazendale and fell to Crosswell, who easily beat Peter to make it 2-0.

It should have been three in the 19th minute when Telega’s long ball into the box found Peter stranded. The ball fell perfectly for Welch, but he unbelievably headed it gently into Peter’s arms from close range when a goal seemed certain.

In the 22nd minute, a long goal-kick by Frank Mainella found Aaron Brazendale, but his shot was turned wide for a corner by Peter.

The corner created chaos in the Knights defence and Brayden Pace fired against a post, while Crosswell’s shot from the rebound was blocked by Peter.

Knights counter-attacked immediately and Clay was allowed to run unimpeded down the right and smash home a bullet of a shot from long range to make it 2-1.

In the 27th minute, Welch gained possession on the left and slipped the ball through to Crosswell, who knocked it inside for Walsh to make it 3-1.

Corey Smith went close for the Knights in the 45th minute, his shot just flashing wide of the far right-hand post.

Brazendale fired wide when well placed in the 64th minute, but the Zebras did increase their lead 14 minutes later.

Grundy fouled Crosswell just outside the box and, as the Knights were disorganised and trying to form their defensive wall, Walsh poked the ball home to give the Zebras a 4-1 lead.

Nine minutes from the end, Michael Connolly’s deep cross from the left towards the far post found Walsh, who beat Marsh before almost breaking the net with a powerful drive from the right to collect his fourth of the night and make it 5-1.

In the 85th minute, Ricky Self, who had earlier squandered a wonderful opportunty to score, chipped the ball towards the far post from the byline on the right and Crosswell powered a header past Peter to hit the Knights for six.

Peter produced a brilliant save in stoppage time from a header to deny Walsh a fifth goal.

First-half goals by Adrian Venettacci and Alex Wiley gave Tilford Zebras a 2-0 win over the Knights in the reserves curtain-raiser.

_____________________________________________________

  • Tilford Zebras coach, Nick Lapolla, said:

“I think it was a great game and we deserved what we got.

“Six in the end, but it could have been more. But, I’ll take that.

“It puts pressure on South Hobart now.”

  • Glenorchy Knights coach, Eamonn Kelly, said:

“It was a football lesson. Credit to Zebras. They played very well.

“We got the spanking we deserved.

“We felt confident coming into the game, but, the first ten minutes again…we didn’t score that first one and that’s the difference.

“It’s a completely different game if we get off to the right start.

“But, we don’t. We let silly goals in, silly goalkeeping errors, and it cost us dearly. Simple as that.

“Well done to Nick and his guys. They deserved what they got. They deserved the three points.”

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STATISTICS

TILFORD ZEBRAS GLENORCHY KNIGHTS
17 Goal Attempts 15
12 Shots on Target 7
10 Corners 8
12 Fouls Committed 7
2 Off-Sides 2
1 (Cairns 72) Yellow Cards 2 (Smith 72, Wiggins 88)
0 Red Cards 0

Tilford Zebras:

PLAYER GOAL ATTEMPTS SHOTS ON TARGET
Walsh 5 5
Crosswell 6 5
Welch 2 0
Brazendale 2 1
Pace 1 1

Glenorchy Knights:

PLAYER GOAL ATTEMPTS SHOTS ON TARGET
Koroma 2 1
Clay 4 2
Hope 1 0
Kamba 2 0
Fielding 1 0
Smith 2 1
Roberts 2 2
Holmes 1 1

Friday night results

Forestry Tasmania Southern Premier League

Tilford Zebras 6 (Walsh 3, 27, 78, 81, Crosswell 5, 85) b Glenorchy Knights 1 (Clay 23)
[HT: 3-1[

Reserves

Tilford Zebras 2 (Venettacci, Viney) b Glenorchy Knights 0
[HT: 2-0]

Northern Rangers looking to maintain their 3-point lead at top of Northern ladder

Northern Rangers can maintain their 3-point lead at the top of the Forestry Tasmania Northern Premier League by beating second-last Launceston City at 8pm at the NTCA Ground on Saturday.

“This week’s game will be very tight and involve lots of running,” said Roslan Saad, the Rangers coach.

“I have always admired City’s fitness level and their effective, direct football.

“We need to be more patient and play our soccer smart and not get into playing their game.

“The boys have shown me that they are willing to work hard for each other.

“The teamwork has really impressed me and I believe that is a thing that was missing in Rangers in previous seasons.

“I can accept lack of skill, but not lack of effort.

“I believe we can win this game with the right amount of effort.”

Second-placed Prospect Knights travel to the Ulverstone Showgrounds to take on sixth-placed Ulverstone on Sunday.

The Knights are just 3 points adrift of leaders Northern Rangers and a win would put them back in equal first place if the Rangers do slip up.

Ulverstone will be without their captain, Adrian Beard, who is away at a 5-day running event interstate.

Callum Foote is unavailable, but everyone else should be raring to go.

“After last week, I don’t know how we’ll go,” said Ulverstone coach, Kim Rigby.

“We tend to match up against these guys reasonably okay over the last few years.

“Even though we’ve been struggling a bit, we’ve had some really good games against them.

“I’d give us a reasonable show. I hope I’m not being over confident.

“We’ve got them at home and we tend to play the ball around a bit better at home.”

Third-placed Burnie United entertain fourth-ranked Devonport City at Montello on Sunday.

Both sides have six points and identical ‘goals for’ and ‘goals against’ statistics, which indicates this may be a close game.

“Because it’s Anzac Day this weekend, half the team thought we were having the weekend off, so we’ll have a few players missing,” said Burnie United coach, Ray Parke.

“We’ll have to put in a couple of youngsters again, such as 15-year-old Brodie Knight at left-back.

“I think he’s in the Tasmanian under-15 squad.

“And there’s young Elliott Stewart, another 15-year-old fellow.

“We’re at home, so I’d like to think we can win the three points.

“It’s going to be a tough game, but Devonport are not as strong as they’ve been in the past couple of years, so there is a chance that we can win the three points at home.

“There’s a lot of rivalry between the Coastal clubs.

“The four teams have a definite rivalry and there’s a derby atmosphere between us.

“It doesn’t matter whether it’s Somerset or Ulverstone, or whoever, you just seem to have that Coastal rivalry.

“Obviously, with Devonport being on top for so many years, it’s always nice when you beat them.

“I think they’ve come back to the pack just a touch this year and we’re obviously looking to take the three points at home.”

With seventh-placed Riverside Olympic having the bye, the remaining match of the round is at Cardigan Street on Saturday, where fifth-placed Somerset host bottom-side Launceston United.

This could be one-way traffic for the home side, but the visitors will give it everything.

“It will be a tough game, although they’ve been travelling up and down,” said Launceston United coach, Brian Dracup. “There’s a little bit of inconsistency there.

“But, we’re playing up there and the weather forecast doesn’t sound real promising on the North-West Coast.

“It’s going to be an interesting struggle. Maybe the weather and the conditions up there might bring them back down to our level a little bit.

“Hopefully, we’ll give them a good run for their money down there.”

Launceston United will still be without brothers Greg and Mitch Duffy, who are at a Futsal tournament in Brazil.

Rowen Murray is unavailable and Robbie Murray is still out for another couple of weeks with a groin injury.

A win for Launceston United would put them level on 3 points with second-last Launceston City - providing they lose to Rangers - and third-last Riverside Olympic, who have the bye.

South Hobart in uncharted territory according to Morton

_________________________________________________
TILFORD ZEBRAS V GLENORCHY KNIGHTS
_____________________________________________

KGV Park, 8pm, Friday, 24 April 2009

Second-placed Tilford Zebras will have Frank Mainella in goal for this match against fifth-placed Glenorchy Knights.

Mainella replaces the injured Troy Kaden, who will probably make his way back through the reserves.

Midfielder Paul Cairns is also available after injury, but key defender Ryan Smith is out because of illness.

“Troy Kaden is still not right, so we’ll probably put him through the reserves,” said Zebras coach, Nick Lapolla.

“I think we’re starting to play as we are capable of playing and, if we play that way, I think we should be right.

“It’ll be an interesting game against them. I’ve watched them and they knock the ball around pretty well and they always try to play to feet, and that’s through Mr Kelly.

“As far as I’m concerned, it’ll be good to coach against Mr Kelly. I haven’t done that in the last three years. I’m looking forward to it.

“If we win, it puts pressure on South Hobart and Clarence the following day.”

Glenorchy Knights coach, Eamonn Kelly, said he would probably give a couple of youngsters a run.

“Adrian Lawler might get a run, and Tom Sherman will play the first half in the reserves to give him a bit of confidence, and it’ll be the same with Nektar Vavoulas,” said Kelly.

“But, yeah, they’ll be turning out for the seniors again.

“Corey Smith will be playing tomorrow. Let’s just say he was unavailable for selection last week.

“No one individual is bigger than the soccer club.

“That will be the same right throughout the year with the Knights. If nothing else, there will be discipline, and I’ve said that right from the word go.

“There’s a code of conduct that all the players have to follow, on and off the field.

“If they don’t follow it, well then they face the consequences.

“I’m quite confident we’ll beat the Zebras. Quite confident.

“The boys have trained well all week. We were bitterly disappointed with the Olympic result, but we can only blame ourselves. We can’t blame anybody else apart from myself.

“We were the ones that lost the game. Olympic didn’t win it. We lost it.

“But, we’ll bounce back from it. We’ll bounce back and, like I said, I’m very confident we’ll beat Zebras. I can’t really tell you by how many, but we will beat Zebras.”

Prediction: Tilford Zebras
________________________________________________
CLARENCE UNITED V SOUTH HOBART
____________________________________________

Wentworth Park, 6.30pm, Saturday, 25 April 2009

This is a most unusual time for a game at this venue. I know Clarence have new lights, which are reported to be excellent, but with the weather expected to be bad, there is scant shelter for those brave enough to come and watch in inclement weather.

And, with there being no other Premier League game in the afternoon, and with no Division One games being played, it could be a bleak Saturday for supporters.

Clarence will be without their midfield powerhouse, Ben Parker. He is getting married on Saturday.

Midfielder-cum-striker Ben Hamlett is fit again after injury and should take the vacant berth.

South Hobart will have their midfield dynamo, Gary Upton, available after suspension, while central defender Hugh Ludford is also back from suspension.

“The eleven that played last week, but these two, that’s about it really,” said South Hobart coach, Ken Morton. “Them and Moncur and that’s our fourteen players.

“I won’t make any decisions until I see what happens with the weather.

“I was happy with our training. Everybody seems to be in good condition now and there seems to be a good spirit among the lads.

“We’re going there into uncharted territory. A night match at Clarence, with rain forecast.

“On a good day, Clarence are a difficult side to play against. I think they’ll be well and truly up to this and well motivated, so we’ll show a lot of respect for them, that’s for sure, and that’ll show in the team selection as well.”

South Hobart top the ladder with 13 points and a better goal-difference from second-placed Tilford Zebras, while Clarence United are third with 11 points.

Prediction: Clarence United

___________________________________________________
HOBART OLYMPIC V KINGBOROUGH LIONS UNITED
_______________________________________________

South Hobart, 2.30pm, Sunday, 26 April 2009

This is an important match for sixth-placed Hobart Olympic as they struggle to stay ahead of seventh-ranked New Town Eagles and bottom-side University.

They may have turned the corner last weekend with that 2-1 win over Glenorchy Knights, but they will be missing two key players for this match.

Chris Tsakiris and Paul Kaproulias will be away on holiday.

Dipendra Kunwar will start and partner Michael Bulis in attack.

This will show whether Kunwar is just an ‘impact’ player and best used as a substitute. He has generally been used as a substitute and as an' impact' player and that worked against the Knights.

Can he last the 90 minutes and influence the outcome?

He is certainly fast, has good technique and finishes well. Does he have the stamina, though?

Striker Matthew Hedge is out for the long term with yet another groin injury.

“After our rousing win which motivated the club last week, unfortunately, we have Paul Kaproulias and Christo Tsakiris away on holiday this weekend,” said Hobart Olympic coach, Farrell Shaw.

“They sort of mis-planned their holiday.

“Definitely this week, young Dipper will start with Michael Bulis and it also gives young Hugh Richardson the opportunity to regain his spot in the middle of the park as well.

“Playing against Kingborough is going to be a hard game. They’re a very free-scoring team at the moment, but, hopefully, they’re conceding nearly as many goals as they’re scoring, so there may be a chance for us to sneak a couple in at the other end.

“It could be a very end-to-end game yet again.

“Matthew Hedge, after suffering a groin injury on one side, he’s now torn the other side, so he’s going to be out for quite some time.

“Adam Hedge has got soreness in the hamstrings and we’ll have to see how he pulls up on Sunday. All indications are that he should be fully fit.”

Kingborough striker Greg Freeman trained only on Thursday and will start on the bench.

Defender Michael Wells is unavailable and will be replaced by Andrew Kerr.

“It could be another goal feast,” said Kingborough coach, Geoff Freeman. “I can’t really explain the reason we’re scoring so many goals.

“It’s obviously something we’ve worked on, but, I don’t know, it just seems to be, apart from one game.

“There’s just been goals at either end.”

Prediction: Hobart Olympic
________________________________________________
NEW TOWN EAGLES V UNIVERSITY
____________________________________________

Clare Street, 2.30pm, Sunday, 26 April 2009

Former Metro player and lately with Glenorchy Knights, Shane Kent, will be included in the New Town Eagles squad for this game after he signed during the week.

Kent has been playing in the Knights reserves and will welcome the chance of senior football again.

But, he is studying in Launceston and this means at least three of Eagles’ players now cannot attend their club’s training, which is not an ideal situation.

This is a bottom-of-the-table clash, but second-last Eagles are 6 points ahead of bottom-side University, which indicates the home side are the favourites in this match.

Eagles will have utility player Wade Savage back, but defender Matthew Rybak is injured.

Goalkeeper Michael Soszynski is suspended after being sent off last weekend, so teenager Craig Minty will be in goal.

Coach George Krambousanos said there was a buzz about the Eagles’ camp and the team is confident.

“I think Shane Kent will be all right in midfield,” said Krambousanos. “He’s not a forward.

“He’ll start off the bench.

“I think we’ll do all right. It’s a game we have to win. But, by the same token, they have to win, too.

“University are getting stronger and stronger and I think they’ll be one hundred per cent ready for us and they will believe that they can beat us.

“They’ll throw everything at us, everything.

“But, I’m happy. I think we’ll be okay. Training has been fantastic. The lads are really, really keen. They care, and they respect. There’s fun, but there’s serious work, too. It’s fantastic.

“Very rarely do you get that from young kids.

University have a reasonable side on paper, but they are not performing on the park.

The Students must surely click soon and this could be the game in which they do.

Prediction: University

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Nagoya Grampus Eight beat Newcastle 1-0

A missed penalty by Sasho Petrovski cost Newcastle a share of the points against Nagoya Grampus Eight in their Group E Asian Champions League match at Newcastle Stadium tonight.

Petrovski's spot-kick lacked power and was directed slightly to the side of the keeper, who saved easily.

Yoshizumi Ogawa scored in the second half to give Nagoya a 1-0 win.

They stay top of Group E with 8 points, while Newcastle have 3 points.

The sides drew 1-1 in Nagoya in Japan two weeks ago.

Nagoya had 54 per cent of the possession during the match and forced 8 corners compared to Newcastle's three.

Nagoya had 15 shots, while Newcastle had 12.

Newcastle had two players cautioned and Nagoya one.

Firm named to complete feasibility study into A-League team for Tasmania

Here is the full text of a media release issued today by the Tasmanian Minister for Sport and Recreation, Michelle O'Bryrne:


The Minister for Sport and Recreation, Michelle O’Byrne, today announced the successful consortium to undertake the feasibility study for Tasmania United Football Club to obtain an A-League licence.

Ms O’Byrne said that a consortium consisting of Stratcorp Consulting and Sporting Management Concepts had been selected.

“Tasmania is competing for an A-League licence as part the competition’s expansion,” Ms O’Byrne said.

Stratcorp Consulting and SMC have had considerable experience with this type of consulting work, having prepared the successful bid documentation for the Melbourne Heart A-League licence, as well as working extensively with AFL, NRL and other A-League clubs.

“They are also highly experienced in sports business planning and sport infrastructure development.

“The feasibility study will look at a wide range of issues including supporter base, potential stadium facilities and costs, administrative/training facilities, and potential revenue streams such as membership, gate revenue, sponsorship and merchandising.

The State Government will contribute $40,000 to the cost of finalising the feasibility study.

“If the study shows a Tasmanian A-League team is feasible then the State Government will give consideration to assisting with a fully developed business case,” Ms O’Byrne said.

A-League taskforce chairman, John McGirr, said he believed Tasmania was in the mix for inclusion, but the feasibility needed to be assessed first by an experienced and well-credentialed company.

“Having an A-League team would undoubtedly bring social and economic benefits to the state and would help grow the world game in Tasmania.”

Mr McGirr said the Melbourne-based Stratcorp Consulting/SMC consortium would provide the completed feasibility study in around six weeks.

Ben Buckley, FFA's CEO, spoke yesterday about the A-League's expansion plans and not once did he mention Tasmania.

He was quoted in the following The Sydney Morning Herald article published yesterday:

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2009/04/20/1240079605344.html

My sources in Sydney state that Tasmania is not even a blip on the A-League radar.

After mentioning a Middle Eastern sheik as a potential sponsor of the proposed Tasmania United at a recent press conference, and after The Mercury's Brett Stubbs devoted many column inches to the story, nothing further has been revealed about the sheik by the Tasmanian Football Taskforce.

The story even made Mainland papers and SBS, as well as the electronic media, but everything has gone quiet now.

Tasmanian football fans would probably like to know a few more answers.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Kawasaki Frontale top Group H with 10 points after 2-1 win over Central Coast Mariners

Kawasaki Frontale beat Central Coast Mariners 2-1 in their Group H Asian Champions League match at the Todoroki Stadium in Tokyo tonight.

There were few chances in the opening half of a match played in torrential rain.

The Mariners were caught off-side three times in the opening minutes as they pressed their opponents early in an endeavour to erase the memories of that 5-0 drubbing they received from Frontale two weeks ago at home at Gosford.

Matt Simon had a great chance in the 21st minute from Adam Kwasik's cross, but he didn't get a decent touch and the Frontale goalkeeper saved at the second attempt after the ball initially squeezed through his legs and slithered towards goal.

In stoppage time at the end of the first half, Vitor Junior, one of three Brazilians in the home-side’s squad, missed a golden opportunity for Frontale when he mis-timed an easy header from Juninho's right-wing cross.

Frontale's Igawa was cautioned by the United Arab Emirates referee in the 19th minute, while Nigel Boogaard and Matthew Osman of the Mariners were cautioned in the 37th and 38th minutes, respectively.

Frontale dominated possession in the opening half but were unable to make it count.

Kawasaki Frontale took the lead within a minute of the start of the second half.

A free-kick by Vitor Junior was headed at goal by Jong Tae-se and Mariners goalkeeper Danny Vukovic spilled the ball and allowed Juninho to tap it into the net.

The Mariners equalised on the hour when Andrew Clark sprang the off-side trap with a deft chip over the defence and Simon raced in to shoot past the keeper

But, the winner came from yet another set-piece, from which the Mariners are extremely vulnerable.

A corner in the 81st minute was only partially cleared by the Mariners’ defence and when the ball was chipped back into the box, substitute Renatinho nodded it past Vukovic and inside the far post.

Not only did the Mariners prove yet again how bad they are at defending set-pieces, they were caught off-side 10 times in the match.

The Mariners’ Andrew Clark and Andre Gumprecht were booked in the second half, which made it a total of four yellow cards for the visitors.

Frontale’s Mori was also cautioned in the 73rd minute, the home side’s second yellow card.

The win increased Kawasaki Frontale’s lead at the top of Group H to 10 points, while the Mariners are second-last with just 2 points.

Monday, April 20, 2009

Success at last for South Hobart under-13s

Photo: Jack Bastick, coach Steve Adkins and Henry Garrett with the trophy

South Hobart’s under-13 team, with a couple of guest players from Kingborough, have finally achieved something they have strived for over the past 14 years.

They won the Merimbula, NSW, youth tournament this Easter.

“We went over there with a bit of confidence,” said coach, Steve Adkins. “We played seven games and won seven games.

“The defence and the goalkeepers played really well and didn’t concede a goal in the whole tournament, while we scored 30 goals.

“There were some tough games in the seven we played.

“There were probably five good teams in the tournament and, in those games against them, we managed to win 1-0, 2-0, 2-0 and 2-0 and 5-0.

“In that last game. when the tournament was already won and the boys were a little more relaxed, we played probably the best soccer.”

It was a long-time dream come true for Adkins, who has also coached South Hobart’s senior Premier League side in the past.

“We’ve attended this tournament for 14 years,” Adkins said. “I’ve only missed two years, having attended 12 of the 14.

“We’ve been trying a while to win it, so it’s great to come back with the trophy.”

South beat Wagga Wagga under-12s 8-0, Far South Coast under-13s 2-0, Woden under-13s 2-0, Far South Coast under-12s 10-0, Northern Tasmania Junior Soccer Association 2-0, Eurobodalla 1-0 and Wagga Wagga under-13s 5-0.

Angus Souter was the leading goalscorer with 6 goals, followed by Jack Gates with 5 and harry Bird with 3.

Cameron Rogers, Nico Faust, Jack Bastick, Henry Garrett, Ben Robinson and Angus O’Meara all scored two goals, while Alex Christian and Zach Laddrick netted a goal apiece. There were two own-goals by opponents.

* * * * *

The Tasmanian Institute of Sport women’s team has returned from its tour of China, where it won one match, drew one and lost three.

“Our last game in China was against the Beijing Youth Team,” said TIS coach, Vicki Linton.

“They were an under-18 team that trains twice a day, six days a week, in a residential environment.

“They dominated the first half, putting away four goals.

“I made a tactical change in the second half and after a number of one-on-ones with the goalkeeper without a result, Tayla Thomas tucked away a corner from the near post to finish the game 1-4.

“It was a pleasing effort from the girls.

“The matches in Beijing were challenging and pushed the TIS Women’s Football Squad to play the best football that I have seen them play.”

Meanwhile, TIS player Jessie Williams guested for South Australia at the inaugural under-14 national junior championships in Canberra last week and scored the goal in South Australia’s 1-0 win over Western Australia.

Thirty players were to be selected at the end of the tournament to attend a training camp prior to a 22-player national team being names to participate in an Asian Football Confederation Festival of Football tournament in Vietnam in June.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

A game of two halves






Photos (Top to Bottom): Kingborough's Damien Pearce heads at goal; Kingborough's Charles White holds off a challenge from Toby Ling; Kingborough substitute Joel Schuth tries to get the ball under control; Kingborough's Ryan Bevan shields the ball from Jacob Huigsloot; Kingborough celebrate Brett Andrews's goal.

Forestry Tasmania Southern Premier League, Lightwood Park, Sunday, 19 April 2009

______________________________________________________

Kingborough Lions United 3 (Marchioli 27, Andrews 45, White 45+5)
Clarence United 3 (Pearce 11 og, Cripps 58, 83)

HT: 3-1 Att: 150 Ref: S Collins
______________________________________________________

Kingborough Lions United: Voss - Palmer, Iseli, Pearce, Wells - Bevan, Andrews, Marchioli, R Hinkley - White, McDonald (Schuth 70) [Substitutes not used: McConnon, Bremner, Leamey] [Coach: G Freeman]

Clarence United: Moschogianis - Toghill, Lewis, Ling, J Huigslott - McMahon, Parker, Cannamela, Stevens (Barron 75) - Cripps, Hunt [Substitutes not used: Knapek, Garth, Sweetten] [Coach: A Brown]
________________________________________________________

The football was not great at Lightwood Park on this perfect Sunday afternoon, but there was plenty of excitement and passion.

And, it wasn’t just on the field. Kingborough’s trainer, Bernard Siggins, was sent from the bench and into the stand after voicing his feelings about a decision.

Siggins was not happy with Mr Collins, and even less with his assistant, Mr Kopra.

There were also six goals to titillate the fans.

After falling behind to a ludicrous own-goal early in the match, Kingborough led 3-1 at the break.

They were pulled back to 3-3 with just 7 minutes remaining and then survived a penalty in the 86th minute to earn a share of the points.

That result was just about fair.

There were plenty of fouls. In the first half, Clarence couldn’t put a foot right and their overly physical approach was costing them free-kick after free-kick.

The visitors rallied in the second half and, had Cripps scored from the spot, they would have won and stayed level on 10 points with leaders South Hobart and second-placed Tilford Zebras.

Cripps missed the chance, therefore, to score only his second senior hat-trick.

The home side were without striker Greg Freeman. It would have been fascinating to see what he would have done against this Clarence defence.

As it was, they showed they meant business as early as the 3rd minute when Marc Iseli headed just over the bar from Marcello Marchioli’s deep free-kick.

But, Kingborough then fell behind to an own-goal in the 11th minute. Damien Pearce played an innocuous back-pass towards his keeper Jason Voss, who just snicked the ball as he attempted to kick it, and it rolled just inside the left-hand post.

Clarence might have scored a goal of their own in the 23rd minute when right-back Mattias Toghill floated a long ball from deep into the box. Cripps missed it and the chance went begging.

Four minutes later, the Lions were level. Ryan Bevan made a great run down the right and put a low cross into the box. Tom McDonald dummied and Marchioli was left to fire home.

Clarence threatened through George Stevens in the 39th minute, but after rounding Voss, his shot was cleared for a corner by the retreating Michael Wells.

To Voss’s credit, he regained his composure at this stage after the disaster of the own-goal, and played well, taking high crosses with ease and distributing the ball up-field well.

Kingborough hit the lead in the 45th minute when Marchioli floated a free-kick from midfield towards the left-side of the box. Iseli nodded the ball down and Brett Andrews scored.

Five minutes into stoppage time, the Clarence defence went AWOL. Bevan raced down the right and crossed low to the far side of the box, where the advancing Charles White hammered a bullet past Moschogianis to make it 3-1 at the interval.

Clarence started the second half strongly and worked their way back into contention.

In the 57th minute, Voss turned Chris Hunt’s free-kick over the bar for a corner that bore fruit.

Hunt’s corner was headed out by White, but only as far as Parker, who chipped towards the far post, where Toby Ling squared the ball for Cripps to side-foot home and make it one goal the difference.

With 7 minutes remaining, another corner proved Kingborough’s undoing. The corner from the left was cleared wide to the right, where it was knocked back inside and the ball deflected to Cripps, who netted to make it 3-3.

Four minutes from the end, substitute Andy Barron was brought down on the right of the box by Pearce.

Cripps took the penalty but missed the target, to the relief of the home side and their supporters, who would rightly have been miffed if they had lost.

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  • Kingborough Lions United coach, Geoff Freeman, said:

“In the first half, we were excellent. I couldn’t fault the boys one bit.

“We moved the ball quickly, we got down the channels, we crossed well, we finished well, and we did everything quite well in the first half.

“It was a mix-up for the goal, but you get that. We moved on really well after that.

“In the second half, to Clarence’s credit, they put us under a lot of pressure and made it hard for us to play.

“We just didn’t come out in the second half. We played poorly, we were rushed, we didn’t make challenges stick, and we let them back into the game and conceded two scrappy goals and we were lucky that they missed a penalty late on.”

  • Clarence United coach, Andrew Brown, said:

“I thought that we weren’t able to get into the game in the first half at all.

“We came in and talked to the players at half-time and said the free-kick count was 11 to 2 against us and we had to be more disciplined and less erratic and have better shape.

“The commitment was always there, but we were going over the line.

“In the second half, we saw the real Clarence and, in the end, it would have been perhaps an injustice to Kingborough to come all the way back and actually steal the game.

“But, when you miss a penalty with a couple of minutes to go, you have to think, well that would have been a good win.

“As it is, a point away from home, we’re more than happy with that at Kingborough. They’re a very good football side.”

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STATISTICS

KINGBOROUGH CLARENCE UNITED
11 Goal Attempts 12
6 Shots on Target 8
5 Corners 6
14 Fouls Committed 21
4 Off-Sides 4
1 (Andrews 91) Yellow Cards 0
0 Red Cards 0

Kingborough Lions United:
PLAYER GOAL ATTEMPTS SHOTS ON TARGET
Andrews 3 1
Iseli 1 0
Pearce 3 2
White 2 1
Bevan 1 1
Marchioli 1 1

Clarence United:

PLAYER GOAL ATTEMPTS SHOTS ON TARGET
Parker 4 2
Stevens 1 1
Ling 2 1
Cannamela 1 1
Hunt 1 1
Cripps 3 2