Beachside can win the Division One title on Saturday by beating third-placed University away at Olinda Grove at 2.30pm.
Beachside will welcome back Colin Shepherd, Bernhard Klasen, Andrew Reason, Jason Harvey and Fabian Lapolla, all of whom missed last weekend’s victory over Southern FC.
Among the players to make way are Dave Dunsby, Adam Direen and Daniel Gardner.
With the side at full strength, Beachside must be favoured to win and earn promotion to Premier League next season.
“Playing against University, you can be assured of a physical contest,” said Beachside player-coach, Nathan Robinson, who has coached University in the past.
“They are a strong team who play direct football and play to their strengths, which shows, as Julian Proud has scored 35 goals already this season.
“It’s going to be a challenge, but our players have cleared every hurdle so far this season.
“Having players like Brett Pullen and Colin Shepherd in our squad has made a huge difference this season.
“They are players who are used to winning and set high standards on the park. It should be a terrific game.”
If Beachside do lose this game, second-placed Metro can close the gap to just 7 points if they overcome fourth-ranked Nelson Eastern Suburbs away at North Warrane on Sunday at 2.30pm.
Nelson’s only absentee will be Nick Roberts, who has a chronic injury that will require some time to heal.
Bill Hanley will be on the bench again, despite coming on as a substitute and scoring two goals against DOSA last weekend.
Under-19 team defenders Max Caulfield and Oliver Ireland are also likely to be on the bench.
“It’s tough luck for Nick Roberts, who has had a succession of injuries over the past few years,” said Nelson coach, Michael Roach.
“As for this match, if we play well we have the squad to win the game.
“We’ll be hoping for another big game from young defender Will Stalker, who was outstanding last week and capped off his performance with a Maradona-like solo run from deep in defence to score past the keeper from close range.”
Fifth-placed Hobart United entertain sixth-ranked Southern FC at Pontville on Saturday and the home side should be good enough to win.
In a bottom-of-the-table clash transferred from the Showgrounds on Saturday at 2.30pm to KGV Park at 6pm on Monday, second-last DOSA host last-ranked FFT/Under-15s.
A win for the youngsters would move them off the foot of the ladder at the expense of DOSA, so there is much to play for in this game.
9 comments:
Go You Beach..
A great season by a great bunch
Cmon Beachside!
Cmon Nelson!
Good to see nelson feel very confident !Its seems everyone doesnt rate metro at all yet there still second.Strange!
Who do metro have?
Anonymous at 11.56. No stars, just a great group of young players supported by a couple of experienced players, a good committed coach and a great work ethic and the desire to stick together over the next couple of years and get back to being a competitive PL team. Names mean bugger all. Who did Uni have today compared to Beachside ?
pull your head in maxi
Who's this Max Character??
Me, from Nelson funnily enough
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