The relegation battle in the Forestry Tasmania Southern Premier League will not be decided until next weekend’s final round of league matches.
Second-last Olympia Warriors thought they might be safe and that bottom-side Taroona would go down, but a late surge by Taroona has brought them level on points with Olympia going into the final round.
Olympia were beaten 3-1 at home by third-placed Glenorchy Knights on Saturday, while Taroona overcame third-last Kingborough Lions United 2-1 away at KGV Park the same day to make it all square again on points.
Only goal-difference now keeps Olympia ahead of Taroona, and both sides have just one game to play.
Taroona must meet Glenorchy Knights, while Olympia face second-placed Tilford Zebras in the final round.
Toby Dove put Taroona ahead against the Lions, while Garry Hamilton hit the winner. Marcello Marchioli replied for the Lions.
Jackson Marsh headed the Knights in front against Olympia, but a penalty converted by Kosta Grillas made it 1-1.
Mathew Nowicki and Brendan Garth then netted to stab a knife through the heart of Olympia, which must be dreading next week’s encounter with arch rival Tilford Zebras.
League champions South Hobart maintained their unbeaten record this season when they drew 1-1 away with fourth-placed Clarence United at Wentworth Park on Saturday night.
Clarence are still locked in a battle with fifth-placed New Town Eagles for the fourth spot.
New Town Eagles meet Tilford Zebras on Sunday at Clare Street and a victory for Eagles is a must.
South Hobart dominated the match against Clarence but had just one goal to show for it.
They squandered several good openings before Shae Hickey put them ahead on the half-hour when he curled a ball into the box from the left and it eluded everyone before nestling inside the net.
Clarence rarely ventured forward, but in the 73rd minute, a defence-splitting pass by Nathan Rees had South in trouble.
Hugh Ludford desperately tried to get back, but the ball found Luke Cripps on the left of the box and his simple square pass inside found team-mate Luke Huigsloot unmarked and he was untroubled in firing past Sam Kruijver for the equaliser.
“We got a bit untidy and they got a break-away goal,” said South Hobart coach, Ken Morton.
“We had lots of possession but we didn’t hurt them with some of our crosses.
“We had enough chances to put the game to bed, but if you don’t take your chances you’re in trouble.
“And, let’s be honest, the goal they got on the break was a good goal and a good finish.
“Cripps is always strong and he holds people up and he played a great pass and Huigsloot put it away. We’ve got to be aware of that.
“We can whinge all we like about people sitting deep, but we have to be good enough to break that down. We had enough crosses across the face of goal where we should have done better.
“But, it’s another unbeaten game and I’m happy with that.”
Northern Rangers retained the Forestry Tasmania Northern Premier League title with a 3-0 away win over Somerset.
Ulverstone beat Launceston City 6-5 away, while Launceston United went down 6-2 at home against Prospect Knights.
19 comments:
I was at the Olympia Vs Knights game. As a supporter of the blues, i was astonished to see little leadership throughout our side. Whilst i believe Chris has done a good job to turn the environment around at the club, promising youngsters starts who are not up to it is frustrating. Look at the Knights for instance, players like Huigsloot and Holmes are both incredibly young, but are leaders. The way Huigsloot stood up towards the end of the game and directed his team mates right up the park was suprising to say at the least, but certainly a great step for such a young kid. Olympia, no disrespect, have Ben Phillips, Cronk and other players who do not say a word, yet automatically are guaranteed starts. This frustrates me. Whilst i believe the club has potential, the lack of leadership shown throughout, especially by the younger ones, is not good enough.
What a stupid comment.
Jake Huigsloot and Alex holmes are 19 - how is that incredibly young?.
Why does Olympia require leadership from its 16 yo players?
I could be wrong,but arnt Huigsloot and Holmes 19 ? Phillips and the likes of Cronk ,Nandan and Hey are only 16.They are also new to the club.Funny how there was no issue when 3 16 year olds stood up in last weeks game,2 scored and one assisted the third goal.Ben Phillips stood up and scored the penalty when no other older player would.Thats Leadership!!!
anonymous.......
a team that is facing relegation, whom have a proud heritage, and some great people around the club, is being dually supported and serviced by these young guys. As an outsider, I would think that the leadership shown by the "young ones" is head and shoulders above others around the club. I would suggest that if you sorted through the SIX players that turned up to training last Thursday night (and like the ladder shows......a team facing possible relegation) that leadership is cleraly being shown by these 16, 17 and 18 year olds.
I agree with you that Chris has has done a good job to turn the environment around at the club. All the young boys set an example with their commitment which can be seen on the training track and by supporting the Club after games. It is unfortunate they cannot be the Club's top players every week but if Olympia requires leadership from its youngest players then maybe the problem lies elsewhere.
Leadership also requires playing well and clearly most of those boys arent good enough.
What is important is that the 15 players chosen to represent Olympia on Saturday night prepare themselves for whatever is required be that a win, draw or whatever. Destiny is still in the Club's hands. The warriors must walk from the field on Saturday night and leave NOTHING on the field.
Anonymous said...August 8, 2010 8:18 PM
"Club's top players every week but if Olympia requires leadership from its youngest players then maybe the problem lies elsewhere."
Leadership comes from the top down. The President is to blame closely followed by his Board. What have they done to ensure the clubs survival in the Premier league? I would suggest nothing. This filters down to the play group who I believe have zero respect for those who are running the club from the President on down.
Maybe the President of Olympia should resign if the club gets relegated. Bring in someone who cares about the the club.
calling yourselves the 'warriors'? it just doesn't seem to fit olympia. it's the type of name that fits with a Croatian affiliated team.
oh that's right, there are a couple of those on the mainland with that name! olympia=farce
Our President is fantastic. He has done all he reasonably can. He has backed the coach and players all the way. He'll be rewarded on Saturday night when the WARRIORS walk off the park SPL players ...
And if they don't will he and Olympia accept that that's the way it went and accept relegation or will he push legal action and try and force FFT into changing the outcome so they don't get relegated??
On what grounds could the Olympia President possibly have legal action?The rules are the rules!
Great idea. I'll have a chat with my lawyer and get back to you on that 1 ...
why all this debate about relegation and murmurings about playoffs?the bottomclub gets relegated,even if it is only due to an inferior goalaverage and the top div1 team goes up.for gods sake stop trying to tinker with the present system,instead try to come up with ideas to strengten div1 and 2 so that div1 clubs are also feeling pressure to be good enough to remain in div1.in the end only strong competetive pressure from below will force clubs and players to improve.
McMahon,Cannamela & Hoppitt all in Melbourne watching AFL. That is why the standard of the game here will never improve to any great heights.If I were the Clarence coach and a loss would have meant missing top 4 spot, those three would not be playing for the rest of the year, or ever again for that matter.These guys should be setting an example to the youger ones regarding committment etc etc.
Maybe this is a reason why Clarence are a disappointment. Brownie has had this group for many years now , and apart from the farce of last year ( state premiers after finishing 4th)they have not done much. Maybe a cleanout is required ?
Roundball is on the money. As an outsider then you've got a better perspective than most insiders.
well spoken Jerrie .
The most sensible statement I have viewed on the blog for a long time
Brian and Jerrie - easy to comment from the lofty heights that your club currently enjoys. It's a vastly different view from where I sit - possibly going down with no playoff but having to get back through a play off. Both Taroona and Olympia tick all the boxes as far as youth development and participation goes and both are competitive. I hope relegation does not destroy one of these clubs.
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