Beachside should maintain comfortable lead at top of Division One

Photos (Top to Bottom): Akuel Guot of Hobart United will be back from suspension against Metro; Hobart United will have to defend in depth against the speedy Metro attack; Hobart United cannopt afford to concede goals, as they did on this occasion; Nelson coach Michael Roach; Nelson's Nick Roberts will be on the bench [PlessPix]

Beachside should maintain their 7-point lead at the top of the Division One ladder this weekend with a relatively easy assignment away to bottom-side DOSA at the Showgrounds at 2.30pm on Saturday.

Beachside will not have the services of Andrew Reason and Jason Harvey, who are both unavailable.

Adam McGuire will be another absentee as he is injured.

Adam Direen, Ben Davis and Anthony Grzinic are the likely replacements.

“Despite DOSA sitting bottom of the league, they continue to develop their young players and show enthusiasm every week,” said Beachside player-coach, Nathan Robinson.

“We respect them as a club and know that on the awkward Showgrounds surface they can be a difficult opponent.

“Despite this, we are on a good run and will look to build on last week’s excellent performance.”

DOSA will have the Dermody brothers, Adam, Kyle and Duane, in their side.

“This is going to be one of the hardest games we’ve played for a long while,” said DOSA coach, Pedro Ramirez, who will be on the bench as a substitute goalkeeper, while Lachlan Davis plays in goal.

“Beachside is going into this game with a burst of confidence as they are on top of the table.

“I hope our team can come back from a very disappointing performance last weekend.

“We have trained well this week and I expect the players to step up and prove they are up to the challenge.

Second-placed University have a relatively routine task ahead of them in dealing with the FFT Under-15s, who occupy second-last spot on the ladder, at home at Olinda Grove at 2.30pm on Saturday.

The win should keep them in the title hunt, although as each week passes, the chase is looking more difficult.

Third-placed Nelson Eastern Suburbs travel to Sherburd Park on Sunday to take on third-last Southern FC.

Nelson will miss Craig Stockdale, who has had a recurrence of a hamstring injury and who lasted only an hour last weekend against University.

Cameron Rush is still doubtful as his quadriceps injury is taking longer than expected to heal.

Nick Roberts will come into the side as his replacement if he is ruled out.

Oliver Ireland and Max Caulfield, both defenders-cum-midfielders in the under-19s, will be on the bench, while the leading scorer in the reserves, Jordan Brighella, who came on as a late substitute last weekend, will play in the reserves as he has exams.

“It was a bad game last week against University,” said Nelson coach, Michael Roach. “They played their game and took their goals well, but we simply did not look ready to play when we went out.

“One of our players turned up without his boots, while several were without their brains and we managed to be 2-0 down in five minutes and couldn’t dig ourselves out of that hole, despite playing well in midfield for a lot of the match.

“Nothing went right for us in front of goal either, though credit to Martin Piesse in the Uni goal, who made two good saves.

“I even tried to demonstrate correct finishing technique to the players after the game but, sadly, took two or three kicks to boot the shirts into the toilet cubicle.

“This will be another tricky match against Southern FC away. We had a close match with them last time and, with some key players still out, we will need to put 90 minutes together to get a result.”

Fourth-ranked Metro entertain fifth-placed Hobart United at North Chigwell at 2.30pm on Sunday, which will bring back unpleasant memories of last season, when Metro lost to United on the last day of the season and lost the title and promotion to Premier League, which they all but had in the bag.

Akuel Guot made a stunning return to the United line-up last week after suspension and was in goalscoring mood and Metro will need to watch him. Guot was sent off against Metro in their previous meeting so, hopefully, cool heads will prevail this time around.

Metro have Jason Dawes out injured and Wade Hawkins is unavailable because of work commitments.

Brandon Moore will come into the squad and Mykel Porter is again in goal.

“This will be a tough game for us,” said Metro coach, Matthew Rhodes. “On any given day, any of the top five teams can beat any other top-five team.”