Knights out to spoil South's party

Photos (Top to Bottom): New Town Eagles may have to call on Matt Fennell against Olympia Warriors; Eagles coach George Krambousanos knows that Olympia will mean business at Clare Street; League's leading scorer Ben Crosswell will be out for another hat-trick against the Lions; Ken Morton addresses the South Hobart players as Brian Downes looks on; Morton presents a replica shirt to striker Kostas Kanakaris; South Hobart goalkeeper Sam Kruijver will be in white [PlessPix]

South Hobart can go 11 points clear at the top of the Forestry Tasmania Southern Premier League ladder on Sunday by beating second-placed Glenorchy Knights at Washington Street.

The match is the main feature of a gala day organised by South Hobart to celebrate the club’s centenary.

The South Hobart team will wear a replica kit dating back to the 1912-14 period and based on the strip worn by a South Hobart side that features in a photograph from that era.

The South Hobart team (with numbers) will be: 1. Sam Kruijver 2. Jim Pennicott 3. Daniel Brown 4. Matthew Brown 5. Liam Scott 6. Bart Beecroft 7. Shae Hickey 8. Tom Roach 9. Andy Brennan 10. Kostas Kanakaris 11. Jonathon Lo [Substitutes: 12. Greg Downes 13. Hugh Ludford 14. Josh Heerey 15. Mark Moncur

South Hobart beat Knights 3-0 in their first-round meeting and should be capable of winning this game.

Glenorchy Knights have not won in the past two games. They drew 0-0 with New Town Eagles in their last league match and then went down 2-1 at home to Burnie United last weekend in the Milan Lakoseljac Memorial Trophy competition.

They are finding it difficult to score goals and, even though club president Zac Baltic has said they will spoil South Hobart’s celebrations, it seems a big ask.

South Hobart are the only unbeaten side in the competition. They have scored more goals than any other side and conceded fewer than any other team.

The Knights rank second in the number of goals scored and so do have a chance, but they will have to experience a reversal of recent form to win this one.

“It’s a big game for many reasons and it’s an important game for us,” said South Hobart coach, Ken Morton.

“If we win this game, it will take us 11 points clear and this is a huge gap at this stage of the season.

“Celebrating a hundred years of the football club, it’s going to be a big day for us.”

Third-ranked Tilford Zebras are away to fourth-ranked Kingborough Lions United at Lightwood Park on Saturday.

Zebras can draw level with second-placed Glenorchy Knights on points if they win, while the Lions urgently need a victory in order to stay in the top four.

Both sides are expected to be at full strength and a repeat of the first-round 1-1 draw is on the cards.

Fifth-placed Clarence United host second-last Taroona at Wentworth Park on Saturday night.

Taroona will be without injured defender Cian Carey, who sustained an injury in last weekend’s cup match against Riverside Olympic. He may miss a couple of weeks.

Ben Schaap returns in Carey’s place at centre-back, while striker Garry Hamilton returns after being unavailable last weekend.

Central midfielder Lucas Wyatt is in Melbourne and will miss his second game in a row. Hamish Macgregor will, therefore, retain his spot in central midfield.

“I won’t finalise the side until our last training session,” said Taroona coach, Ben Horgan.

“We had a few guys who were a bit down on form last weekend so they will need to bounce back and show some resolve because Clarence at Wentworth Park on a Saturday night will be a tough game.”

Sixth-ranked New Town Eagles entertain bottom-side Olympia Warriors at Clare Street on Saturday and the visitors will be desperate for their first win of the season.

Eagles will start with Shane Kent in midfield and Jacob Clamp may be assigned the task of marking Olympia dangerman Kosta Grillas.

Eagles’ Chris Wass, Simon Strang and Mark Page are all carrying injuries and will probably be omitted.

Ethan Menzie may start on the bench, while Jamie Vernon is likely to be back in a wide-midfield role.

“Olympia will come here to win, but we’ll be ready for them,” said Eagles coach, George Krambousanos.