Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Sad start to the NPL Tasmania 2024 season

Photo:  Alex Walter (on the ground) opens the scoring for South Hobart against the Lions. [PlessPix] 

Devonport City, Glenorchy Knights and South Hobart made positive starts to the 2024 NPL Tasmania season.

Devonport, the reigning champions, downed Clarence Zebras 3-0 at home at Valley Road.

An opener by Brody Denehy and two penalties by Riku Ichimura withing 5 minutes of each other late in the game did the damage.

The visitors didn’t help their cause when they were awarded a spot-kick which was squandered by Kyle Vincent.

Photo:  Kingborough's Kobe Kemp (left) prepares for a challenge by South Hobart's Jacob Lancaster. [PlessPix] 

Glenorchy Knights smashed Launceston United 9-0 away at Birch Avenue.

Anthony Mamic, Stefan Cordwell and Riley Dillon all scored braces, with the remaining goals coming from Jack Glover, Joshua Redfearn and Thomas Walpole.

It’s not the start the Launceston outfit wanted, of course, and there may be bleak times ahead for them.

Kingborough Lions United have lost two key players in Declan Taylor, who has moved to Taroona, and Jaeden Mercure, who is reportedly injured.

They played Eisa Azizi in goal in preference to Masatoshi Kawano in goal.

Photo:  Kingborough;s Keenan Douce (left) tangles with South Hobart's Tobias Herweynen. [PlessPix] 

Alex Walter fired South Hobart in front after 35 minutes following a pass from Adam Gorrie, while Samuel Berezansky made it 2-0 three minutes later from Bradley Lakoseljac’s pass.

Former South Hobart player and now captain of Kingborough, Kobe Kemp, reduced the arrears in the 62nd minute, but Austin Yost curled home a fine shot in the 72nd minute to ensure the visitors of the three points.

Photo:  South Hobart's Harrison Oates has a shot at goal against Kingborough. [PlessPix] 

The opening game of the round on Friday night was not completed.

The Riverside Olympic versus Launceston City derby was halted in the 27th minute when Riverside’s Will Fleming sustained a broken leg in a tackle with a City opponent, who was shown the red card

It was 1-1 at that stage after a penalty by Riverside’s Gediminas Krusa had been cancelled out by a spot-kick by City’s Will Humphrey.

Fleming managed to crawl to the side-line but the pain then set in and he was in agony for the next half-hour while awaiting an ambulance.

The referee abandoned the game after half an hour of waiting and it will have to be replayed at a later date.

Several issues arose out of this situation.

Obviously, there cannot be a doctor at every game so it is important that fully qualified first-aid people are on the bench for all clubs. 

I cannot say why the player was not stretchered away to the warmth of a dressing room while awaiting the arrival of an ambulance.  Perhaps no one was qualified enough to move the player given the nature of the injury.

The audio on the live stream should have been turned off, too, as it was disconcerting to hear the cries of the injured player for some significant time after the injury.

I don’t know why the referee didn’t send the two teams to the dressing rooms when it became clear there would be a lengthy delay in the arrival of the ambulance.

A sorry way to start the NPL season.  I do hope Fleming makes a complete recovery from this nasty injury.

 

Championship a strange sight with no Metro, but Hobart City look set to struggle too

Photo:  Action from the University versus Hobart City game at Olinda Grove. [PlessPix] 

Clear signs are already emerging after just the first round of Southern Championship matches.

Hobart City were walloped 8-1 away by University at Olinda Grove, which indicates it could be a long and difficult season for City.

City are the newcomers on the block, in a way, having merged with Beachside a couple of seasons ago before now taking over the mantle as a team in their own right.

They’re not strictly new, though.  They existed decades ago but became defunct in the late 1980s after being expelled from the top flight and demoted to the second division.

On Saturday, against University, they trailed 2-0 after 27 minutes before Xavier Lynch put them back in the game with a goal in the 33rd minute and they were 2-1 down at the interval.

Photo:  Midfield action in the University versus Hobart City game at Olinda Grove. [PlessPix] 

Daniel Goodluck made it 3-1 for University in the 54th minute befoe two goals by Andrew Willcox put University 5-1 up.

Stuart Carnaby made it 6-1 in the 69th minute and City suffered a further setback a minute later when they had Fernandez Oliveira sent off.

Being down to 10 men made things even harder for City and they conceded two more goals before the end, Trent Green and Ramiro Vilar making the final score 8-1.

South Hobart fell behind 2-0 to Glenorchy Knights before recovering to lead 3-2 at the break and winning 7-2.

Knights were looking good at 2-0 but will need to learn how to hold on to a lead.

Photo:  Midfield action in the South Hobart versus Glenorchy Knights game on Sunday at South Hobart Oval. [PlessPix] 

The Championship season began on Friday night when New Town White Eagles beat Olympia Warriors 1-0 away at Empire Couriers Park.

Eagles’ goal was a penalty awarded for a foul on new signing Matthew Pace and converted by Brett Andrews in the 24th minute.

Connor McGuinness had a fine game in goal for Olympia, but Eagles had many more goalscoring chances but slack finishing let them down.

“It wasn’t a great game for the neutral,” said Eagles coach, Tommy Fotak.

“There were definitely some first game jitters for both teams.

“Given the atmosphere, I was pleased with the boys’ restraint at times.

“There were moments of play where we showed what we’re capable of and what we’re trying to do but there weren’t enough of them,

“Again, that’s most likely due to it being our first hit out.

“We left a few goals out there and we defended well.

“It’s a win and three points, so there’s a few positives to go with the lessons.”

Photo:  Olympia Warriors coach, Alex Holmes. [PlessPix] 

Olympia Warriors coach, Alex Holmes, said:  “Frustrating.

“We were very much in the game but didn’t take our chances.

“They got some extra chances at the end when our legs had gone, but I think it was a good hard-fought game.

“Disappointing not to take something from it, but a good hit-out for our first game.”

South East United led Hobart United 2-0 midway though the opening half through goals by Luke Huigsloot and Daniel Harris.

Hobart United rallied in the second half and two goals by John Buga made it 2-2 six minutes after the resumption.

Joseph Mwarabu and Moses Khasif struck within a minute of each other with 10 minutes remaining to ensure the visitors of all three points.

Taroona beat Clarence Zebras 3-0 through goals by Sam James, Declan Taylor and Toby Fleming.

Taylor left NPL Tasmania club Kingborough Lions United last week and joined Taroona. And is already making an impact.

He was one of Kingborough’s best players and his loss is a huge blow to the Lions, who also have Jaeden Mercure unavailable through injury.

It was strange sight seeing the Championship competition minus Metro, one of the oldest clubs and a torch bearer in the Northern Suburbs.

Photo:  Knights clearance up-field against South Hobart. [PlessPix]

Monday, March 18, 2024

Sunday results - 17 March 2024

Photo:  Henry Bain scores the opening goal for Glenorchy Knights against South Hobart. [PlessPix]

Southern Championship

South Hobart 7-2 Glenorchy Knights

Photo: Pratek Maharjan makes it 2-0 for Knights.  They then fell in a heap and South Hobart got back into the game to lead 3-2 at half-time and scoring four more goals in the second half to win 7-2. [PlessPix]

Women’s Southern Championship

Olympia Warriors 0 lost to New Town White Eagles 8 (Zoe Nichols 1, 5, 55, Prue Evans 38, Ketherine OIllerhead 44, Sarah Dutton 49, 67, Nina Daniels 66)

University 4 (Zoe Hinds 5, 25, Tash Hinds 41, Mikalha George 73) beat South Hobart 1 Leah Coupal 9)

Women’s Social League 1

Glenorchy Knights 4 (Bethany Creese 5, Amy Shreeve 42, Kimberley Browning 57, Natasha Browning 64) beat New Town White Eagles 1 (Stephanie Tye 40)

Women’s Social League 3

Metro 2 (Ellouise Kop, Edna Agravante) beat Nelson Eastern Suburbs 0

Photo:  Knights' Rosu Abdissa about to cross despite the efforts of South Hobart captain Umberto Tucceri. [PlessPix] 

Men’s Social League 1

University 0 lost to Barnstoneworth United 5 (Sam Hills 25,, Samuel Ilias 30, Liam McGuire 49, Callum Chatterton 82, Jacob Leaman 88)

Men’s Social League 3

Huon Valley 5-3 Metro

Hobart United 2 (Gyenendra Thapa 2) lost to New Town White Eagles 4 (Samuel Heathcote 2, Dylan Styles, Adam Bates)

Over-35s League

Metro 3 (Sam Hasler, David Morrison, Darrin Chaffey) lost to South Hobart 5 (Bryn Griffiths 2, Samson Rume 2, Alex Kitsos)

Southern Men’s Social League 4

South East United 1-3 Barnstoneworth United

Metro 1 (Tyson Wegman) lost to DOSA 9 (Dane Wilcox 4, Joshua Leek 2, Junior Dobson 2, Jonty Zielinski 1)

Photo:  South Hobart captain Umberto Tucceri tries to stop Glenorchy Knights' Rosu Abdissa. [PlessPix]

Saturday, March 16, 2024

Saturday results - 16 March 2024

Photo:  South Hobart's Austin Yost (left) scores his side's third goal against Kingborough Lions United this evening despite the efforts of Lions' Luke Huigsloot and Eli Luttmer. [PlessPix] 

NPL Tasmania

Devonport City 3 (Brody Denehey 3, Riku Ichimura 73, 77) beat Clarence Zebras 0

Launceston United 0-9 Glenorchy Knights

Kingborough Lions United 1 (Kobe Kemp 62) lost to South Hobart 3 (Alex Walter 35, Samuel Berezansky 38, Austin Yost 72)

Photo:  South Hobart goalkeeper Lochie Schofield snatches the ball ahead of Kingborough's Tristen Galt in the NPL Under-21 game today. [PlessPix] 

 NPL Tasmania Under-21s

Kingborough Lions United 1-4 South Hobart

Devon[ort City 4 (Liam Kelly 4, 74, Ben Thow 21, Joshua Scrimgeour 90) beat Clarence Zebras 0

Photo:  South Hobart's Josephine Mamic outpaces a Lions opponent. [PlessPix] 

Women’s Super League

Launceston United 3 (Moana Chamberlin 52, Adilat Otto 62, Olivia Smith 82) beat Glenorchy Knights 2 (Millie Baric 53, Ella McConnon 78)

Kingborough Lions United 1 (Laura Davis 75) drew with South Hobart 1 (Anna Fewkes 59 og)

Photo:  Action from today's Women's Super League game between Launceston United and Glenorchy Knights in Launceston. [Photo by Craig Pitt] 

 Southern Championship

University 8 (Daniel Goodluck 8 pen, 54,  Ramiro Vilar 27, 85, Andrew Willcox 59, 62, Stuart Carnaby 69, Trent Green 84) beat Hobart City 1 Xavier Lynch 33)

South East United 2-4 Hobart United

Photo:  University's Toby MacGregor (right) tries to regain ground against a Hobart City opponent. [PlessPix] 

 Southern Youth Premier League Under-17s

Olympia Warriors 1 (William Petty 61) lost to Glenorchy Knights 4 (Will Butler 6, 48, 63, Khan Huseyin 78)

Photo:  Action from todays Under-17 game between Olympia Warriors and Glenorchy Knights at Warrior Park. [PlessPix]
 

Friday night results - 15 March 2024

Photo:  Matthew Pace has signed for Eagles after leaving Clarence Zebras.  He was brought down for the penalty. [PlessPix] 

NPL Tasmania

Riverside Olympic 1 (G Krusa 6 pen) drew with Launceston City 1 (W Humphrey 27 pen)

[Game abandoned due to serious injury to Riverside's Will Fleming in 28th minute. Game delayed for 30 minutes while awaiting ambulance and then abandoned.]

NPL Tasmania Under-21

Riverside Olympic 7 (Arpan Rai 1, Henry Cook 32, Matthew Kamara 48, 52, Joel Hawkins 57, Evan Harrop 65, Toby Harrop 67) beat Launceston City 0 

Photo:  Olympia coach Alex Holmes greets Eagles coach Tommy Fotak before the game. [PlessPix] 

Southern Championship

Olympia Warriors 0 lost to New Town White Eagles 1 (Brett Andrews 24 pen)

Photo:  George Ivanov (left) left University to join NPL club Glenorchy Knights but has now moved on to New Town White Eagles. [PlessPix] 

Southern Championship 1

Olympia Warriors 2 (Sam Louden 29, Charlie Roberts 53) lost to New Town White Eagles 8 (Blayne Hudson 16, 18, Luke Backhouse 22, 63, Jamie Vernon 39, Andrew Taylor 46, Oliver Johnstone 52, Ronan Longden 66)

Southern Social League 1

Metro 4-2 Kingborough Lions United

Southern Social League 2

South East United 1 (Brock Adams 86) lost to Barnstoneworth United 5 (Adam Hedge 31, Christopher Hunt 48, Dave Hoppitt 72, 80, Michael Palmer 82)

[David Hoppitt was making his return to the game after overcoming cancer]  

Thursday, March 14, 2024

University out of Lakoseljac Cup after going down to 10 men against South East United

Photo:  Ramiro Vilar (No. 8) opens the scoring for University. [PlessPix] 

South East United qualified for the first-round proper of the Lakoseljac Cup with a 5-3 win over University at Pembroke Park on Monday.

Ramiro Vilar put South East United in front after just 4 minutes with a cheeky finish.

Photo:  Ramiro Vilar (centre) is congratulated after scoring by Gus Rumney (left) and James Hall. [PlessPix] 

The home side then squandered several excellent chances and should really have led.

It took until the 37th minute for them to equalise through Daniel Harris.

But, Daniel Goodluck restored University’s lead on the stroke of half-time.

 

Photo:  University's Daniel Goodluck blows a kiss to his young son after scoring his side's second goal. [PlessPix]

Ten minutes after the resumption, University suffered a significant blow when Jaxon Richardson was sent off for using offensive language.

University struggles to maintain their lead as the home side ramped up the pressure.

Only some brilliant goalkeeping by Aidan Featherstone, who saved repeatedly in one-on-one situations, kept University in front.

Luke Huigsloot, who had missed several gilt-edged chances during the game, finally found the net in the 76th minute to make it 2-2.

Photo:  Ramiro Vilar stretching for the ball. [PlessPix] 

That opened they flood gates and goals by Patrick Quinlan in the 83rd minute and Sam Sartori 3 minutes later gave South East United a 4-2 lead.

Huigsloot made up for his wretched misses earlier in the game by netting his second and South East United’s fifth goal 2 minutes from the end.

James Hall’s strike for University 2 minutes into stoppage time to make it 5-3 was merely a consolation goal.

Photo:  South East United skipper Nick Zammit tries to stay ahead of University's Jaxon Richardson. [PlessPix] 

 South East United coach, Adam Shackcloth, said:

“Some nervous moments in there.

“All in all, I think them going down to 10 men, for them, it gave us a bit of an advantage.

“Obviously, the longer the game went on the better it was for us.

“But we were sloppy in patches and clinical in others, so can’t complain as we won.”

Photo:  The South East United squad. [PlessPix] 

 University coach, Hugh Graham, said:

“I think it was a really great game.

“We started the first 45 really well.

“I think we really shot ourselves in the foot with the sending off and probably ruined what could have been an excellent qualifying final.”

 

Photo:  The University squad before Monday's game. [PlessPix]