Gallacher will go down with University

Photo: University coach, Scott Gallacher

Scott Gallacher is facing one of his toughest seasons as a coach.

The 55-year-old, who came to Australia from Scotland when he was 17, coaches University in the Premier League and the club is all but relegated.

University are 7 points adrift of second-last New Town Eagles.

University have three games left, as do Eagles.

Gallacher is in his second year as coach of University, but is undecided about his future.

“If we get relegated, it won’t reflect well on the coach,” Gallacher said.

“I like this club so I’ll just wait and see what happens.”

Gallacher came to Tasmania from NSW three years ago and was assistant to Eamonn Kelly for three months at Glenorchy Knights.

“When Eamonn left, I decided to leave too but saw out the season with the club’s under-13s,” Gallacher said.

“University advertised their coach’s position and I applied and this is my second year with the club.

“I think Uni has got a few problems, especially in the youth department, but we’re working on it.

“I’d say it’s going to take five years, but with the youth program we’ve got in place now, it’ll come to fruition and we’ll actually have players that are based more in Hobart than elsewhere.”

Gallacher does not swap clubs often as a coach and he was with Hills United in Sydney for ten years before moving to Tasmania.

He played in the Kuringai District of NSW when he came from Scotland and found he enjoyed coaching after his playing career ended.

“I enjoy coaching and get a lot out of it,” he said. “I’ve been doing it for a long time now.

“I like to see players improving.

“Taking a player on and making a player do something he didn’t think he was capable of doing is the challenge.

“I enjoy developing players, and I enjoy winning, too.

University must win all three of their remaining games - against Hobart Olympic, Tilford Zebras and New Town Eagles - and Eagles must lose all three of theirs if University are to survive.

University play Hobart Olympic at South Hobart on Saturday and a loss would condemn them to Division One next year.

Metro should stay top and Taroona second in Division One

Hobart United, the bottom side in the Division One competition, can move off the foot of the ladder by beating second-placed Taroona away at Kelvedon Park on Sunday.

United are a point behind second-last Christian United, who have the bye, and even a point against Taroona will enable them to change places with Christian United.

The return of key central defender Alex Bellini will boost Hobart United’s chances.

He appealed successfully against his suspension after being sent off against Nelson Eastern Suburbs a couple of weeks ago.

“It’ll be nice to have a mature head around the field with the return of Alex Bellini,” said Hobart United coach, Mark Broadbent.

“Nathan Grandin is back from the army and will be in goal, while John and Peter Otto are also available.

“It’s a big game and a huge one for us.”

Taroona coach, Ben Horgan, said last week’s draw against leader Metro had all but ended his side’s title chances.

“We haven’t played Hobart United since round 3 and, apparently, they’ve got a few good players back since then, so we’ll need to be switched on and make sure we show them some respect as they have some very quick and dangerous forwards,” Horgan said.

“Chris Cox came off the bench last week and caused havoc, hitting the back of the net twice, although one goal was ruled offside, so I will have to find room for him in the starting line-up.

“Goalkeeper Tom Shepperd has had stitches in his back and may not be fit by Sunday, in which case Jon Burridge will play.”

Third-placed Beachside host fourth-placed Nelson Eastern Suburbs at Sandown Park on Saturday, while Metro are at home to fifth-ranked Northern Suburbs DOSA at North Chigwell.

Nicholas Roberts returns for Nelson as Robert Brooke is unavailable, and Ben Gibson retains his place in goal while Nic DeCarpentier returns through the reserves.

Oliver Ireland, 15, will be on the bench, together with striker Tom Gordon, who has returned from a European holiday, and Jordan Brighella.

“We have played okay in our last two games and are starting to look like we can play some football, but we'll need to be at a higher level again for Beachside,” said Nelson coach, Michael Roach.

“This is our last chance to get a decent result against them this season, so we can’t afford any sloppy mistakes at either end of the field and we’ll need to work hard to get some pressure on them as well over the full 90 minutes.”

Beachside will be without Luke Atkin, who is unavailable, while Sam McDonald returns to the line-up.

“We are looking forward to playing at home again and following up from the six goal victory on Monday night,” said Beachside coach, Nathan Robinson.

“The pitch was in excellent condition during the week and this should help us get back to playing some neat passing football.”

Metro should have no problems in overcoming DOSA.

Northern Rangers and Devonport City should stay neck-and-neck at top in Northern Premier League

Northern Rangers should have few problems in staying top of the Forestry Tasmania Northern Premier League on Saturday because they are away to bottom-side Launceston United at Birch Avenue and a win is almost guaranteed.

"It's first versus last and, with that in mind, I expect our players to put in a concerted effort, with a lot of pride,” said Launceston United coach, Brian Dracup.

“Over the last few games, we have improved and basically have been running with the same squad, which has improved the players’ ability to perform as a team.

“My expectation is for a close competitive game with home ground advantage coming into play, coupled with the heavy ground conditions.”

Rangers will miss defenders Sam Luck, who is injured, and Brad Langerak, who is unavailable because of work commitments.

“These positions will be covered by the young boys who have shown so much improvement over the season,” said Rangers coach, Roslan Saad.

“I believe they should be able to achieve our aim of not conceding any goals this week after the three goals conceded last week.

“I told the boys that three points is what we want and the points are going to win us the championship and not the goal-difference.

“At this stage of the season, we have 29 points and that is our best finish ever last year.

“So, I believe the team will create a new chapter on Saturday with the 3 points.”

Second-placed Devonport City, who are a point behind Rangers, should win against the visiting Launceston City, who are second-last on the ladder.

The only change to the Devonport side that beat Somerset in their previous outing is the inclusion of striker Christ McKenna, the second-ranked marksman in the league.

McKenna has had hamstring problems but is fit and ready to resume.

Nathan Gratton and Ben Pizzirani have been impressive in recent weeks and Devonport coach Tom McGinn will be looking for another good performance from this pair.

“With just four roster games left, it’s important that we don’t slip up against Launceston City,” McGinn said.

Third-placed Somerset and fourth-ranked Prospect Knights are locked together on 25 points and they meet at the latter’s Harley Parade headquarters on Saturday in what should be a close game.

“We are looking to be successful against another quality top-four side,” said Knights coach, Dane Hudson.

“Our preparation has been interrupted due to ground closures, but we trained on our ground for the first time in three weeks on Thursday night.

“There are no excuses, though, and we need, as always, to apply ourselves and work hard with or without the ball.

“Somerset are coming off a State-wide Cup defeat against Northern Rangers, so I’m sure they’ll be determined to get back to the level they know they can play.

“Hopefully, though, that’ll be next week and not this time out.”

Sixth-placed Riverside Olympic hosts seventh-ranked Burnie United at Windsor Park on Saturday.

Four points separate the sides and Burnie will be keen to reduce that to a single point with an away win.

But, Burnie will be without captain Ashley Smith, who was sent off last weekend and is suspended.

Sam Phillip-Croule has a back injury and will miss the game, but this makes way for promising 18-year-old midfielder Aiden Withers to make his mark.

This will be Riverside’s last home game of the season and they will be at full strength with the return after three weeks’ absence of Ryan McCarragher, who has been suffering from the effects of concussion.

“We will be going all out to win this game and to try and keep our final-four chances alive and we’ll be hoping for some favourable results in the other games,” said Riverside coach, Troy Scott.

Fifth-placed Ulverstone have the bye.

Title may just about be decided this weekend

The destination of the Forestry Tasmania Southern Premier League title may well be decided at KGV Park at 6pm on Saturday when current leaders Tilford Zebras take on second-placed and reigning champions South Hobart.

The sides have met twice in the league this season and each have won once.

Zebras will welcome back midfielder Ricky Self, but midfielder Paul Cairns is suspended after being sent off against Clarence United last weekend.

“It’s a big game for both sides, but whether or not it’s the title decider is an open question as there are more games to play,” said Zebras coach, Nick Lapolla.

“We’ll go into this as the underdogs and they’ll be very hard to beat, but I hope it doesn’t come down to one mistake deciding the match, as it did the last time we met.”

South are trying to sign and obtain a clearance in time for the match for 25-year-old Englishman, Liam MacKin, a striker, who was an apprentice at both Queens Park Rangers and also played for Fulham Town.

South will be at full strength and MacKin is unlikely to play as FFT have received no request for him to be registered.

The latest information is that he has not played serious football for five years and he missed training on Thursday so he remains an unknown quantity.

Third-placed Glenorchy Knights trave to Lightwood Park on Saturday to take on fifth-ranked Kingborough Lions United and the state of the pitch may have a bearing on the outcome.

Knights will be without captain Josh Fielding, who has the flu, and Brazilian Breno Bianchini Joviano Dos Santos, who aggravated an ankle injury at training on Monday.

“I don’t think we’ll see much of Dos Santos this year,” said Knights coach, Eamonn Kelly.

“He may get one game, against Hobart Olympic, but he’ll be lucky to play because of this unfortunate injury.

“It’ll be hard for us down at Lightwood, but it should be a good, equally-balanced game because they play the same kind of football as we do in a way.”

Damien and Trent Pearce are both doubtful for Kingborough because of illness, while Charlie White picked up a knock in the intrastate representative game last weekend and may miss this match.

Midfielder Brett Andrews is suspended, while midfielder Ryan Bevan strained a muscle against New Town Eagles and must be considered doubtful.

Striker Greg Freeman and midfielder Ross Hinkley are trying to regain fitness and may play a part in the match.

“We’re looking forward to the challenge of the Knights and we will have to look at a few different options, but I still expect a good showing from us,” said Kingborough coach, Geoff Freeman.

New Town Eagles entertain Clarence United at Clare Street on Sunday in a game that is important to both sides in the fight against relegation.

Clarence beat University 5-0 on Thursday evening, however, and this has taken the pressure off Eagles as University are all but relegated now.

Eagles will be without goalkeeper Michael Soszynski and defender Nick Ferrall, while Alex Gordon may start on the bench.

Eagles’ coach, George Krambousanos, said training had been disrupted by the wet weather but that all the other teams had been similarly affected.

Clarence have a demanding schedule with two games in four days, but their young players should be up to the task.

University have only a slim chance of avoiding relegation now and they face Hobart Olympic at South Hobart on Saturday.

They may be fired up, however, and Olympic must not take things lightly if they are to earn the three points.

University virtually knocked down and out by the in-form Clarence United

Clarence United jumped from second-last to fourth on the Forestry Tasmania Southern Premier League ladder as a result of their 5-0 win over bottom-side University at Wentworh Park this evening.

Clarence are level on 21 points with Hobart Olympic, who dropped a place to fifth because of their inferior goal-difference.

The loss virtually condemns University to relegation. They are 7 points adrift of second-last New Town Eagles and have just three games remaining.

These are against Hobart Olympic, current leaders Tilford Zebras, and second-last New Town Eagles.

They would need to win all three games and hope that Eagles lose all their remaining matches.

David Hoppitt gave Clarence a 1-0 lead at the break, while second-half strikes by Ben Hamlett, Luke Huigsloot, Luke Cripps and Hamlett again completed the tally.

"We had 21 shots at goal and our keeper, Michael Moschogianis, touched the ball twice in the second half," said Clarence's assistant coach, Franco Previdi.

"We hit the bar twice in the first half and their keeper, Hamish Peacock, made two brilliant saves."

In the under-19s, Clarence United downed Kingborough Lions United 5-1 through goals by Marsh, Nicholson, Bugg, Brown and an own goal.

Latest Tasmanian A-League bid developments

Photos: John McGirr (top) and Ken Morton (bottom) went to Sydney on Wednesday to meet FFA officials

John McGirr and Ken Morton have returned from Sydney where they and executives of Stratcorp met FFA’s John O’Sullivan to discuss Tasmania’s A-League bid.

“We had a very positive response to our stage 1 document,” said McGirr today.

“There was a suggestion that we go away and get some more evidence around the budget numbers and come back to them with that evidence in a business case, which will be a bid document.

“We put a time frame in for that and spoke to Brad [Stratcorp executive] and he said he could do it within eight to twelve weeks.

“Within the eight to twelve weeks we would then have to cover our sponsors.

“The information we’ve got from the AFL bid is that to get the one-and-half million dollar sponsorship wouldn’t be a problem.

“The main problem would be getting investors, I would say.

“So, you do need, when you present your bid document, a bank guarantee from a group of investors, otherwise you’re not in the ball park.

“And that’s where we’re at now.”

When asked whether he was confident of getting those investors, McGirr replied: “How long is a piece of string?

“Personally, I’m reasonably confident.

“I shall get the feedback from the guys [Tasmania United A-League Taskforce members] tomorrow as to how confident they are and we’ll make a group decision as to what we will put out there in the media.”

Tasmanian goalkeepers have always been a good crop

Photos (Top to Bottom): Rangers' goalkeeper Ray Johnson (centre) organises a goalkick in the game against Olympic at South Hobart in 1963...Johnson moved to Melbourne that season; Eddie Puclin in action at South Hobar for Croatia; Steve Darby catches a cross for University against Olympia's Peter Sherman at KGV Park, while David Forshaw looks on; Steve Darby of University is beaten at South Hobart by Olympia's Keith Broadhouse; Rapid's Phil Kannegiesser takes a goalkick at KGV Park; Olympia's Martin Burden at South Hobart; Olympia's Martin Burden makes a save at KGV Park against University as Dominic O'Brien (University No. 7) is set to pounce; White Eagles' star keeper Peter Groenewoud; John Michniewski (second from left) after he joined Croatia-Glenorchy from White Eagles...his pre-match warm-ups were worth the price of admission; The victorious Southern Tasmania team on the bus heading home from a clash with the North...Steve Craven is second from the left at the back, and Phil Kannegieser is at his left, while John Charlton, son of Jackie Charlton, is at Craven's right; Harry Alexiadis saves a penalty for Olympia against Rangers at South Hobart in 1963 [Photos by Ralph Dymond and Walter Pless]

There has been a lot of discussion on this blog about goalkeepers following the North versus South match last weekend.

Good goalkeepers have been abundant in Tasmania in years past.

Harry Wise, the Metro keeper, was selected for the Australian Olympic team in 1954.

Harry Alexiadis, of Olympia, was selected in the national squad in the 1960s but was forced out through injury.

A shoulder injury ended his goalkeeping career, but he was reincarnated as a brilliant centre-forward and scored numerous goals for Olympia.

His place in goal at Olympia was taken by Mick Roussos, who turned out to be one of the best keepers the State has seen.

Eddie Puclin and Joe Udovicic were two of the best keepers to have played in Tasmania.

Both played for Croatia Glenorchy and coaches always found it difficult to choose between the two.

Puclin eventually moved to Metro, while Udovicic transferred to Devonport City, paving the way for the talented young Rodney Tattam to take over.

Let’s look at more recent times, when the crop was even more widely recognised.

Anthony Breaden, now 30 and who hailed from Somerset, went to the Australian Institute of Sport, played for the Australian under-20s - the Young Socceroos - and eventually joined Adelaide City in the National Soccer League.

“The Gorilla”, as he was known, later played NSL for Brisbane City, I believe.

Corey Baldock, who is in his early 30s now and who is related to the Darryl Baldock of Australian Rules fame, also hailed from the North-West and found some fame in South America in the mid-1990s.

He was with Bolivian first division club, Bolivar, which had regular home attendances of 70,000.

Baldock was understudy at Bolivar to Cameroon’s World Cup goalkeeper Thomas N’Kono.

Baldock returned to Tasmania in 1997 and was cleared by Bolivar to play for Devonport City.

White Eagles frequently had good keepers and some that spring to mind are Robbie Groenewoud, who trialled in England and eventually went to New South Wales.

The late David Siggins was one of their most spectacular keepers, and they also had a Polish keeper called John Michniewski, who played professionally in the US before coming to Tasmania.

His warm-ups were magnificent pre-match entertainment.

The late Matthew Calvert, who was with Olympia, had a trial with Arsenal in 1997, while Robert Harrison of University and Caledonians did well in NSW.

Martin Burden was one of Olympia’s finer keepers in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Brett Williams of Juventus and Croatia-Glenorchy was with Notts County in the UK for a term.

Zlatko Belanic was also a decent keeper here with Croatia and Rapid before he returned to South Australia.

He suffered a serious head injury in a game at KGV Park and later played with protective headgear, well before Petr Chech of Chelsea made it fashionable.

Steve Craven, who came from England to join Rapid in the late 1970s, was a marvellous keeper and a fine centre-forward.

As a keeper, he once scored a goal with a mighty clearance against Steve Darby (pace Steve) at South Hobart.

We’ve had a few keepers in Tassie who were also good as outfield players.

Bruno Cengia was another. He was with Juventus and Rapid and could stop goals as well as score them.

Phil Kannegiesser is another Rapid keeper who springs to mind and who was good enough to play interstate.

Simon Miotto, from Launceston, remains our only English Premier League keeper, although he did not get to play a single league game for his club, West Bromwich Albion.

Miotto also played in Scotland for Raith Rovers and other clubs, and he was also active in Denmark.

In Tasmania, he played for Launceston City.

Alex Cisak, the former South Hobart junior keeper, is now with Leicester City in the UK, of course, and is a member of the Young Socceroos.

In the days that some of these later keepers played, Neil Connell, himself an accomplished keeper with Caledonians and Juventus, and a man who played professionally in South Africa and England, ran a ‘goalkeepers’ club’ at KGV one night a week.

As many as a couple of dozen keepers would attend and they would receive specialised training.

Where do we have such a scheme now?

I am sure to have left out some fine keepers in this overview, and I apologise to them.

Now, fellow bloggers, given that the scene has been set, let’s talk about our current crop and see where they rank.

Korean juniors to play in Tasmania

Photos: Solomon Choi in Hobart last week

South Korean businessman Solomon Choi is bringing two junior football teams to Tasmania late next month to play local sides for the Tasko Cup.

Thirty South Korean youngsters in the under-12 age group will be in the touring party.

Choi, who farms on the North-West Coast and exports breeding cattle to Korea, is keen to develop sporting and business links between Tasmania and South Korea.

His family lives in Sydney, but he spends much of his time on the farm in Tasmania because he has fallen in love with the island.

The organisers of the trip also include the Korean Youth Football Association and the Tasko International Football Training School, formed by Mr Choi and whose director is former Korean international player Jin Hyo Seok.

“My aim is to exchange each country’s sports culture and boost the interest in junior soccer matches through frequent competitions,” said Choi, who was in Hobart last week.

“If the matches between Tasmanian and Korean youth teams are successful, then yearly matches will be held.

“We would like to see a Tasmanian team visit Korea in October for the International Youth Soccer Competition.”

At this stage, the Koreans are due to leave Korea on 18 August and arrive in Launceston the next day and they will be in Tasmania until 24 August.

Hotel accommodation is being arranged in Hobart, while they will stay at a camp at Port Sorell during their time in the north.

Apart from playing up to six games during their stay, the youngsters will be engaged in sightseeing and cultural activities, including school visits.

If Tasmania does send a team to the international tournament in Korea from 2-7 October, it will compete against teams from Japan, Germany, Spain, China and Korea.

Choi initially approached Football Federation Tasmania about the visit, but due to glitches in the lines of communication, nothing eventuated so he made contact with Ken Morton and teams from the Morton Soccer School will now play against the visitors in Hobart.

Morton and Brian Downes have arranged matches for the visitors in the north of the State.

I guess it is an opportunity missed by FFT, but perhaps they could be involved in some capacity at an official level as it is hoped to have welcoming ceremonies in Launceston and Hobart involving government and civic leaders.

Hobart Olympic down University in fine semi-final

Photos: (Hobart Olympic women's squad (top) and University women's squad (bottom) [Click on photo for large view]

Women’s State-wide Cup Semi-final, KGV Park, Wednesday, 29 July 2009
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University 1-3 Hobart Olympic
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Both teams produced an exciting display of football and the score should have been much higher.

Hobart Olympic’s Lauren Barnes was playing her last match before taking up a football scholarship in the United States of America.

University employed some clever tactics and tried to play balls over the Olympic defence into space for their strikers to run on to and this often had Olympic in trouble.

Poor finishing by University negated these tactics, however, but the goal they did score was marvellous.

Olympic almost opened their account in the 3rd minute, but Barnes fired wide.

In the 11th minute, Olympic hit the front when Bliss Cantrell’s neat flick put Vanessa Johnson in on goal and she easily beat the unprotected keeper, Madeleine Jona.

Holly Ayton was everywhere for University. She took free-kicks and corners, attacked and defended, and in the 16th minute she fired over the bar from a long-range free-kick from the left.

Olympic were producing some fine combinations involving Johnson, Cantrell, Nicky Hale and Chrystal Dean down the right, while Sarah Fitzgerald was a force in midfield and Natalie Price and Barnes were effective at the back.

University counter-attacked well, however, and Lucy Quayle should have done better than shoot straight at keeper Nicola Smith five minutes before half-time.

University were often guilty of poor decision making, with players choosing to shoot rather than pass inside to a colleague.

At one point, for example, Sarah Tassel broke through on the right and shot wide when team-mate Kathleen Prescott was unmarked on the edge of the box.

A minute after the resumption, Dean put Cantrell clear on goal, but she shot wide.

In the 52nd minute, Fitzgerald fed Johnson, but she hit the side-netting.

The right-wing combination worked again in the 58th minute as Dean released Cantrell down the flank, but Jona did well to turn the effort wide for a corner.

Olympic increased their lead on the hour when Johnson returned the earlier favour and put Cantrell through the middle. She rounded the keeper and rolled the ball into an empty net to make it 2-0.

In the 70th minute, Sally Prescott attacked down the right and chose to shoot rather than pick out the unmarked Tassell inside, but the shot flew wide.

Three minutes later, the excellent Johnson forced the University keeper to turn her effort wide for a corner.

University pulled a goal back in the 83rd minute, and what a fine goal it was. Bianca Risorto and Quayle played two precise one-twos as they made for goal and Risorto finished clinically.

A minute later, Olympic restored their two-goal buffer when an error at the back by University allowed Dean to gain possession on the right of the box and her shot from an acute angle took a deflection before flying into the net.

Fitzgerald was sent off in the final minute after clashing with Quayle.

Olympic will play Clarence United in the final after Clarence beat Glenorchy Knights 2-1 in the other semi-final earlier in the evening.

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• University coach, Les Richardson, said:

“I thought we were basically undermanned, so we were outplayed because of the undermanning.

“We only had eight of our regular players in there and we filled up with one of the under-16s and four of the Division Ones who have never played Premier League in their life.

“I thought the girls did a really good job against a very, very good opposition and, certainly, Olympic deserved their win.”

• Hobart Olympic coach, John Fiotakis, said:

“The first half was very scrappy and we weren’t settled. There were a couple of girls tired and injured out there.

“In the second half, they put it together and started playing the ball to feet and backing each other up.

“But, all in all, it was a fair outcome.

“Uni had their chances and we had our chances and took them and got them.

“But, a good game in all. A very tough game, but the girls are fairly tired. They’ve had a lot of games in the past month as they’ve had to catch up and that.

“But, no, I was happy with the result.”

• Hobart Olympic coach, Atef Abdaltam, said:

“I think, in the first half, we played flat-footed.

“In the second half, we came back better.

“They were more hungry than us and we didn’t win the ball enough in the first half.

“But, in the second half, we played better, but not the best.

“But, that is football.”

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University: Jona, Ayton, Papadakis, Cables, Roach, Risorto, S Prescott, K Prescott, Reale, Murray, Quayle, Parodi, Cliff, Tassel

Booked: Ayton 67

Goals: Risorto 83

Hobart Olympic: Smith, Jones, Jarvis, Markellos, Dean, N Hale, Cantrell, price, C Hale, Johnson, Shreeve, Fitzgerald, Barnes, Ortmann

Sent off: Fitzgerald 90

Goals: Johnson 11, Cantrell 60, University own goal 84

Att: 50

Ref: N Clements

Clarence United reach Women's State-wide Cup Final

Photos (Top to Bottom): Clarence United women's squad; Glenorchy Knights women's squad; Clarence coach Ronnie Bolton in his playing days taking a free-kick for Olympia against University at South Hobart in 1984 [Click on photo to see large view]

Women’s State-wide Cup Semi-finals, KGV Park, Wednesday, 29 July 2009

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Glenorchy Knights 1-2 Clarence United

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Clarence United had two early chances when Paris Crowe hit the outside of the near post with a shot and Erin Hall fired straight at Knights keeper Bianca Walker.

Knights’ first chance came in the 17^th minute when Georgina Griffiths-Lee volleyed over the bar following a corner by Lauren Griffiths-Lee.

Clarence hit back in the 19^th minute, but Hall’s shot was directed straight at the keeper.

Danielle Nossiter almost punished Clarence for poor marking in the 28^th minute, but her header lacked power and was slightly off target.

Knights were matching it with their opponents at this stage and, in the 32^nd minute, Jemma Dacy poked an effort just wide, while three minutes later, Michelle Luck forced a corner with her shot.

Emily Cripps was unlucky for Clarence in the 38^th minute when she fired narrowly wide from the left of the penalty area.

A minute before the interval, Madaline Gillbee’s pass put Kathryn McLeod through on the right and she put Clarence ahead with a fine finish.

In stoppage time at the end of the first half, Lauren Griffiths-Lee scored a brilliant goal, beating several defenders on her way into the penalty area before finishing accurately to make it 1-1.

Six minutes after the resumption, Crowe beat Luck on the left but blazed wide of the target.

McLeod shot wide on the hour as Clarence went in search of a winner, while a minute later, Crowe was again presented with a good chance but shot wide.

Madaline Gillbee was providing some excellent crosses from the right, but Clarence were unable to make the most of this service.

In the 68^th minute, a marvellous dribble by Crowe set up McLeod, but she missed the chance to put Clarence ahead.

Seconds later, Emily Cripps also spurned a chance to score at the left-hand post and solid defending by the Knights and good goalkeeping by Walker seemed certain to take the game into extra-time.

But, with a minute remaining, Hall played Crowe through and she capped a fine display by rounding the keeper and scoring the winner.

Clarence will meet Hobart Olympic in the final after Olympic downed University 3-1 in the other semi-final this evening.

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· Glenorchy Knights coach, Rodney Tattam, said:

“I thought it was a really high-quality game of soccer.

“I thought both teams were fantastic and played in a really good spirit.

“We defended well and we had a few good chances.

“I thought it was really even game and we gave it our best shot and good luck to Clarence in the final.”

· Clarence United coach, Ronnie Bolton, said:

“I think, probably overall, it was a pretty even game.

“It took a fantastic goal to separate the two teams.

“I think that was the difference on the night.

“I think, considering the injuries we had, we performed very well.

“Knights did very well to keep right up to us and I can hardly recall a free-kick in the game.

“It was played in the right spirit.”

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Glenorchy Knights: Walker, G Griffiths-Lee, Luck, Turner, L Griffiths-Lee, Self, Dacy, Finn, Sain, Garth, Nossiter, Smith, Nevin, Cook, Coulson (Interchange applied)

Goals: L Griffiths-Lee 46

Clarence United: VanderNiet, Archer, Brighella, Cripps, Edwards, Gillbee, Hall, Herbert, Kannegiesser, McLeod, Pagano, Taylor, Ridler, Crowe, Undy (Interchange applied)

Goals: McLeod 44, Crowe 89

Att: 60

Ref: S Natoli