Nelson Eastern Suburbs 1-0 Northern Suburbs DOSA
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This was a game of missed chances and, in the end, one goal settled it in favour of Nelson Eastern Suburbs.
Given that Hobart United had won the earlier match of the evening 4-1 against woodenspooner Christian United, DOSA dropped a place to finish the season second-last, while Hobart United moved up a place to fifth, or third-last.
There were some fine passages of play, but too often both sides spoiled their performances by wayward passing which gave away possession.
Craig Stockdale was a pillar of strength at the back for Nelson and he made several crucial tackles, including one against youngster Jayden Hey, whose lightning speed was a constant source of danger.
Hey had the speed, but his finishing was often poor and this detracted from his performance. He must learn to maintain his composure when his pace takes him past defenders and puts him into scoring positions.
Tom Gordon played almost as a deep-lying centre-forward. Although the goal came from his cross, he missed numerous chances through soft shooting, although he did work hard, covered a lot of territory and got into good positions. He was prepared to shoot on sight, but the accuracy and power were missing.
One of his best chances came in the 76th minute when Simon Natoli’s square pass at the back was too soft and Mark Wakefield could not get to it before Gordon nipped in, gained possession and advanced on goal. But, his shot was superbly saved by Justin Farrugia.
Seconds later, Gordon had another chance when Nicholas Butt’s misdirected back-header put him in with a close-range chance, but he somehow spurned the opening.
Nic De Carpentier had another fine game in goal for Nelson and he made two crucial saves in the second half as DOSA desperately sought an equaliser.
The first came when Stockdale made a rare error, glancing Wakefield’s free-kick into the path of Michael Langshaw, but De Carpentier came off his line and blocked at the opponent’s feet to concede a corner.
The in-swinging corner was dangerous, but De Carpentier got away with punching the ball down to the edge of the box. Fortunately for him, no DOSA player was on hand to have a shot.
Nelson had been fortunate to survive just before the interval when Joe Vanderslink came to De Carpentier’s rescue, chesting Derrick Parry’s shot off the line.
DOSA keeper Farrugia produced some splendid saves, but he blotted his copybook in the 63rd minute when his error led to Nelson’s goal.
Farrugia spilled a sharp cross from the left by Gordon and the ball fell to substitute Jordan Brighella, who smashed it home at the far post.
Farrugia denied Brighella a second goal when he produced a marvellous save in the final minute.
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· Nelson Eastern Suburbs coach, Michael Roach, said:
“I think, unfortunately, it was a bit of a low-standard game, considering we only played the way we want to play in patches.
“So, a little bit disappointing.
“We certainly had plenty of chances so we should probably have wrapped it up comfortably.
“But, it was a knuckle-biter right to the end, and that’s the sort of season it’s been, a bit of an up and down inconsistent season for us.
“But, we’re happy with the three points.
“Well done to DOSA. They really fought it out and made it quite a struggle.”
· Northern Suburbs DOSA coach, Joe O’Hea, said:
“I thought we actually played quite well and made a couple of good chances.
“A couple of good saves by their keeper, I think, one with his legs and one in the first half as well.
“A much better effort, I thought. They played really well.
“We’re starting to come together as a team, but at the wrong end of the season.”
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Nelson Eastern Suburbs: De Carpentier - Stockdale - Gibbs, Vanderslink, T Roach - Gaskell, Wallace, Roberts (Ireland 68), Gibson (Flynn 46) - Gordon, Mills (Brighella 60) (Substitute not used: Rush)
Booked: Roberts 60
Goals: Brighella 63
Northern Suburbs DOSA: Farrugia - Mason (Richardson 62), Natoli, Swift (McGurk 70), Butt - Langshaw, Maccrum (J Parry 79), Hey, Korn - Wakefield, D Parry (Substitute not used: Whitty)
Att: 60
Ref: D Ambler
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