Taroona teeter closer to the drop

Photos (Top to Bottom): South Hobart coach Ken Morton said his side dominated possession; South Hobart goalkeeper Sam Kruijver takes a cross; South's Wook Bum Heo delivers a cross; South's Wook Bum heo is confronted by Taroona's Jack Elliott; South's Shae Hickey takes Taroona's Marcus Atkinson for a run; South's Shae Hickey controls the ball as Taroona's Hugo Luttmer races in; South coach Ken Morton issues instructions to Jonathon Lo; South's Hugh Ludford races forward through midfield; South's Jim Pennicott clears the ball upfield; South defender Hugh Ludford emerges with the ball and initiates an attack; Youngster Hugo Bladel came on as a late substitute; Taroona goalkeeper Robert Hortle scoops up the ball and snuffs out any danger; South's Bart Beecroft starts an attack from midfield [PlessPix]

Forestry Tasmania Southern Premier League (South Hobart, Sunday, 1 August 2010)

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South Hobart 1 (K Kanakaris 65)

Taroona 0

HT: 0-0 Att: 100 Ref: A Taheri

South Hobart: Kruijver - Wook Bum Heo, Pennicott, Ludford, Scott - Roach, Beecroft, Hickey (Quigley 76) - Kanakaris (Bladel 74), Brennan (Downes 58), Lo [Substitute not used: D Cooper]

Taroona: Hortle - Tubb, Schaap, Wyatt, Elliott - Dove, Atkinson (D Carey 68), Macgregor (R Carey 74), Abbott - Luttmer (Sagawa 65), Hamilton [Substitute not used: Burridge]

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Taroona were fighting for their Premier League survival, but despite their valiant efforts, they went down 1-0 to South Hobart, the league champions.

This leaves them last and three points adrift of second-last Olympia Warriors, and with an inferior goal-difference. The Warriors had beaten third-last Kingborough Lions United 3-2 away the previous day.

Taroona had a few early chances. David Abbott had a fierce shot blocked by Hugh Ludford, while Garry Hamilton fired just wide of the far post, all in the opening five minutes.

It was then South Hobart’s turn and Andy Brennan, twice, and Ludford, both blazed wide of the target.

Kostas Kanakaris also squandered a couple of good chances, including one easy header from Jonathon Lo’s free-kick.

The goal came in the 65th minute from an excellent strike by Kanakaris after a cross from the right by Wook Bum Heo.

Jim Pennicott went close for South in the 72nd minute. Lo’s free-kick found him unmarked at the far post, but the youngster shot into the side-netting.

Taroona keeper Robert Hortle pulled off a marvellous save in the 74th minute to deny Lo, while the keeper later also saved superbly from substitute Greg Downes, who had earlier also fired into the side-netting.

The match ended with a fine build-up by South, culminating in Wook Bum Heo firing just over the bar.

Taroona have two games in which to save themselves, but it is going to be a mighty tough task.

In the reserve curtain-raiser, South Hobart beat Taroona 8-0 to take out their fifth consecutive reserve title.

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· South Hobart coach, Ken Morton, said:

“I thought we had probably 75 to 80 per cent of the possession and, obviously, in the first half, we didn’t do a lot with it.

“I always thought we were capable of creating chances and taking them and the longer the game went the more opportunities that came along and one was enough to win it.”

· Taroona coach, Ben Horgan, said:

“It was a good effort by the boys and one really good goal that separated the teams.

“They had a couple of other chances, but Rob Hortle did a great job in goals for us.

“We looked dangerous without creating any really clear-cut opportunities, but we still thought we had a chance to pinch a goal. But, it didn’t happen.

“There are two games left to go so, potentially, six points. We can avoid the drop but we have to out that sort of effort in every week.

“Let the results take care of themselves.”