Metro should become the outright leaders in Division One

Photos (Top to Bottom): DOSA will miss John Visentin; Craig Stockdale is back from holidays and will play for Nelson; Colin Shepherd is a vital cog at Beachside; Metro's Colin Sweeney is suspended after being sent off for the second time this season; Christian United's Wilson Lumago (right) is an important player in the team; Hobart United's Austin Chong plays a vital role in defence


Metro have the chance to take over at the top of the Division One ladder this weekend.

Metro are currently level on 10 points with leaders Taroona but are second on goal-difference.

With Taroona having the bye, Metro only need to beat bottom-side Hobart United away at Pontville on Sunday to become the outright leaders.

This should be a relatively easy task, even though one of Metro’s Scottish imports, Colin Sweeney, is suspended after being sent off for a second time recently.

Hobart United are but a shadow of last season’s team and will not be able to withstand the challenge of the visitors.

Third-placed Beachside should make up ground on the leading pair by overcoming second-last Christian United at home at Sandown Park in an evening match on Saturday kicking off at 6.30pm.

Amazingly, this will provide competition for spectators as Premier League sides Clarence United and Hobart Olympic are doing battle at the same time at Wentworth Park.

It used to be that there was competition for spectators on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, but this situation is ridiculous.

If we don’t watch it, Saturday night will be the preferred match time for both divisions.

Such evening kick-offs make it very awkward for my deadlines at The Mercury, too. And, it means there will be no match photographs from those games in Sunday’s paper.

But hey! That’s only the media talking.

Beachside lost 6-0 during the week to Premier League leaders South Hobart in a practice match and this added training will stand them in good stead for Saturday night’s match.

Colin Wain and Luke Atkin will return to the Beachside line-up after missing the last game, which was a win in a State-wide Cup match in Launceston some weeks ago.

Kurt De Jong has left for Europe and will be lost to the club until August.

“We are looking to carry on our good form from three consecutive victories in the league and Milan Lakoseljac Cup,” said Beachside coach, Nathan Robinson.

“Not having played a game since then has been unfortunate considering all leagues except Division One seemed to have rostered matches last weekend.

“It makes it difficult to gather momentum and gain match fitness when there is a bye in the roster, and then an unnecessary break.

“A practice game against South Hobart seniors on Tuesday night provided some much-needed competition and, despite being beaten 6-0, there were many positives from that match.”

Christian United will have midfielder Angus Livingston back after a knee injury kept him out for two weeks.

The remaining match of the round pits fifth-placed Nelson Eastern Suburbs against fourth-ranked Northern Suburbs DOSA at North Warrane on Sunday.

Nelson will welcome back Craig Stockdale from holidays and captain Richard Flood and Adam Mills after injury.

Rowan Sakul and Dean Melville are omitted, while under-19s captain Cody Flynn will also be out.

“It’s been a tough few weeks with lots of injuries and the unavailability of key players and the standard of our football has dropped,” said Nelson coach, Michael Roach.

“We should have a couple of important players back in for this match pending fitness assessments on Friday, although Adam Mills in particular will be lacking match fitness.

“We will be looking for an improved performance at home against DOSA and we know from past experience that they can be a difficult opponent.

“We need to win this one, but it starts with us getting back to playing the good-quality football that we are capable of.”

DOSA coach Joe O’Hea is away and Richard Korn will take charge of the team.

Calvin Frith and John Visentin are both unavailable because of work commitments, but Jason McGurk and Mark Wakefield are back, while newcomer Nick Radovanovic, the former Metro and Hobart Olympic player, will make his debut.

“Our record at North Warrane is not good, so any points we can earn there will be valuable,” said Korn.