Monday, August 9, 2010

Clarence earn valuable point in fight for fourth spot






Photos (Top to Bottom): Toby Ling (No. 3) was included in the senior starting line-up for Clarence; Clarence's Mattias Toghill was suspended for the match; Clarence's Joseph Stevens was excellent in midfield; Where were all the Clarence supporters?; It was a low attendance at Wentworth Park for a game that mattered to Clarence [PlessPix]


Forestry Tasmania Southern Premier League (Wentworth Park, Saturday, 7 August 2010)


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Clarence United 1 (L Huigsloot 73)

South Hobart 1 (S Hickey 30)


HT: 0-1 Att: 50 Ref: S Collins


Clarence United: Sweeney - A McIntyre (Lush 74), Lewis, Parker (Knapek 60), Ling - S McIntyre, Stevens, Rees (Hunt 74), Marsh - L Huigsloot, Cripps [Substitute not used: Reibl]


South Hobart: Kruijver - Pennicott, Williams (D Brown 75), Ludford, Scott - Wook Bum Heo, Roach, Downes (Brennan 75), Beecroft - Hickey (Kanakaris 77), Lo [Substitute not used: Moncur]


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With the league wrapped up, one can understand a lack of interest in this match from the South Hobart fans.


But, with their side in a tight race for fourth spot, it was hard to understand why there were so few Clarence United fans in attendance. The crowd must surely have been the lowest at Wentworth Park for a Premier League match this season. I suspect there were more there for the reserve curtain-raiser and, after that, people seemed to drift away.


If Clarence’s supporters were missing, so were some of their players. The senior squad was far from full strength and so the 1-1 draw with the league champions was even more creditable.


Mattias Toghill was suspended after accumulating five yellow cards, while Ben Hamlett has gone to America on a sports scholarship. Julian McMahon, Sam Cannamela and David Hoppitt had all apparently gone to Melbourne to watch an AFL match.


Into the squad came Toby Ling, Liam Marsh, Adam Knapek, Adam McIntyre and Chris Hunt.


South Hobart dominated the first half and had many chances to score. They were playing the ball wide and getting behind the Clarence defence with ease.


Despite some close calls, particularly from headers from crosses from both wings, Clarence survived until the half-hour mark. That was when Shae Hickey collected a pass from Liam Scott and cut in from the left and curled a low ball into the 6-yard box. With Greg Downes rushing in, goalkeeper Cameron Sweeney appeared caught in two minds and the ball sneaked in at the far post to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.


Clarence revived somewhat in the second half and they snatched a wonderfully executed goal out of nothing.


In the 73rd minute, Nathan Rees sent a defence-splitting pass from midfield towards the left of the box. It left Cameron Williams flat-footed and, try as he might, the more experienced Hugh Ludford could not get back in time to cover.


Luke Cripps ran onto the ball and squared it across the penalty area to the unmarked Luke Huigsloot, who beat keeper Sam Kruijver from 15 metres to make it 1-1.


That was the signal for South Hobart coach Ken Morton to bring on the big guns. On came Daniel Brown, to add stability to the defence, and Andy Brennan and Kostas Kanakaris to get the goals.


It was to no avail, however, and fourth-placed Clarence held out to earn an invaluable point and put the pressure on fifth-ranked New Town Eagles, their only rivals for that coveted fourth spot.


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· South Hobart coach, Ken Morton, said:


“We got a bit untidy and they got a break-away goal.


“We had lots of possession but we didn’t hurt them with some of our crosses.


“We had enough chances to put the game to bed, but if you don’t take your chances you’re in trouble.


“And, let’s be honest. The goal they got on the break was a good goal and a good finish.


“Cripps is always strong and he holds people up and he played a great pass and Huigsloot put it away. We’ve got to be aware of that.


“We can whinge all we like about people sitting deep, but we have to be good enough to break that down. We had enough crosses across the face of goal where we should have done better.


“But, it’s another unbeaten game and I’m happy with that.”

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

All those players missing and still young E.Tsakiris and Dippa couldn't get a run in the seniors. So much for leaving another club and playing seniors at Clarence. One has to laugh....and one has to wonder especially considering how pathetic the other club has been what might have been had they decided to stay at their first choice of club.

Love the footy! said...

Supporters would have had feet up, nice and warm, with beer or wine in hand watching AFL blockbuster Collingwood vs Geelong

Anonymous said...

South seem to lack a spearhead to put all those crosses and chances away. Imagine how many goals Crippsy would score at South!

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
All those players missing and still young E.Tsakiris and Dippa couldn't get a run in the seniors. So much for leaving another club and playing seniors at Clarence. One has to laugh....and one has to wonder especially considering how pathetic the other club has been what might have been had they decided to stay at their first choice of club.

August 9, 2010 8:41 PM

look where olympia is sitting compared to clarence, a little bit more competition for places in the clarence team, maybe they wanted to play premier league next year, its easy to play seniors for olympia when you are promised selection, did olympia do enough to keep these players is the question you should be asking yourself

Anonymous said...

anon 8:41, your the only one laughing mate, Dippa has a torn hamstring and Manny has been ill all week and only started in the reserves due to lack of players. He has been in the senior radar for the past 3 weeks and DEFINATELY would have played against South if he were fit and trained during the week. Maybe if you know the boys im sure you could call them and verify. Oh, just to add, young Tsakiris and his family are very welcome at CUFC and Manny assures Clarence he will not be returning to the "warriors" any time soon. peace

Anonymous said...

Walter do you want to have souths babies or something? As a south player i think you need to learn to like other clubs a little bit more and stop loving us way too much

Anonymous said...

I reckon those who were talking up Luke Huigsloot earlier on are pretty happy with his recent string of performances. More than handy, thought he was exceptional on Saturday night.

Anonymous said...

DEFINITELY

Anonymous said...

Congratulations to all at Clarence UFC on 4th spot - and a week earlier than last year.

Anonymous said...

South lack penetration but Morton leaves Brennan and Kanakaris on the bench until the last 15 mins. Am I missing something?

Anonymous said...

pretty sure morton was resting kanakaris and brown (both carrying injuries) and was protecting brennan from getting chopped.