Photos (Top to Bottom): Devonport captain Nathan Gratton tackles South Hobart captain Bart Beecroft; South Hobart's Liam Scott (right) tackles Devonport's Jordan Douce; South Hobart defend a Devonport free-kick; South Hobart's defensive set-up at a Devonport free-kick; South Hobart's Daniel Brown heads clear while under pressure from Kurt Howard; Devonport's Simon Wilson works his way out of defence; South Hobart's Tom Roach in possession in midfield; South Hobart's Bart Beecroft is confronted by Devonport's Grant Ashdown; South Hobart's Tom Roach takes a swing at the ball; South Hobart's Hugh Ludford clears ahead of Jordan Douce; Devonport keeper Josh Smith saves [PlessPix]
State-wide Top-Four Series Semi-Final (KGV Park, Saturday, 4 September 2010)
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South Hobart 1 (A Brennan 87)
Devonport City 0
HT: 0-0 Att: 120 Ref: I Jozeljic
South Hobart: Kruijver - Pennicott, D Brown, Ludford, Scott - Hickey (G Downes 64), Roach, Beecroft, Lo - Brennan (Upton 89), Kanakaris (Wook Bum Heo 56) [Substitute not used: D Cooper]
Devonport City: J Smith - Scott Wilson, Gratton, Simon Wilson, Ashdown - Cochrane, Chilcott, K Douglas (C Douglas 76), K Downes - Douce (Lizotte 51), Howard (D McGinn 84)
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It was one-way traffic for much of the game and South Hobart clearly had the most chances.
But, Devonport City fought courageously and might have snatched a win with a bit of luck. For example, they should have had a penalty when Sam Kruijver brought down Nathanael Cochrane 9 minutes after the break, while they were unlucky not to score later during a goalmouth scrimmage.
And, in the 63rd minute, Keegan Downes played a nice curling ball into the box for Kurt Howard, but the striker was unable to control it and the ball was cleared.
Having said that, South Hobart squandered chance after chance. If they had taken just a few, the game could have been over by half-time.
Devonport keeper Josh Smith was kept busy and a combination of good saves by him, clearances by defenders, and sheer incompetence in front of goal by South Hobart ensured that the game was up for grabs until the closing minutes.
Kostas Kanakaris and Andy Brennan were two of the main offenders. Brennan, in particular, missed one chance from point-blank range.
But, the youngster came to South Hobart’s rescue yet again, as he has done before this season. In the 87th minute, and with extra-time looming, he slotted home substitute Greg Downes’s low cross from the right.
South had brought on a fresh pair of legs when they introduced Downes midway through the second half and his running and passing ultimately provided the breakthrough.
Wook Bum Heo should have taken advantage of another Downes cross in the final minute, but he shot straight at the keeper from close range. That was the story of the game as far as South Hobart were concerned, but their triumph meant they have now gone 32 games without defeat.
Northern Rangers will be mulling that over during the week and they will be given the opportunity to end the run when they meet South Hobart next Saturday at 4pm at KGV Park in the State-wide Top-Four series final.
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South Hobart coach, Ken Morton, said:
“It was a tough game, but only because we didn’t put our chances away.
“If you have 28 chances and you only score one, then there’s something wrong with our forward play. Some of our decision making in the front third wasn’t the best.
“We’ve had 58 attempts at goal in the past two weeks and we’ve won both games, so for me that’s a good performance.”
Devonport City coach, Tom McGinn, said:
“I think, overall, the better team won the game.
“South Hobart certainly had a lot more chances than us, but we’re a young side and we held in there.
“With two or three minutes to go and to lose a goal, well, that’s life. I thought they deserved it.
“We didn’t have a target man today, and we’re not used to it. For the last ten years we’ve had McKenna up there and he’s a good target man.
“I’m happy enough.”
4 comments:
devo should of got a pen when south keeper n defender took out this devo bloke in the box! the ref just yelled play on boys
Yeah just watched the YouTube video to see what all the fuss was over! A clear penalty thats for sure. He was lucky not to be sent off also.
Poor Devonport your main issue was the wrong ref was in the middle - he needed to swap places with the linesman and then you would have had your penalty. As your coach said you didn't lose from that though, unfortunately you were out played in horrible conditions.
South should have won by at least 3 - 4 goals just as NRangers should have.
Thats the world game for you the man in black is in charge and sometimes the ball just doesn't go were you want it to.
Look forward to north vs south.
Yes, a good game from 2 spirited sides. D'port resolute and could have snatched it with a bit of luck, South a bit frustrated but never lost the plot. Downes turned the game as D'port started to impose themselves in the second half. Anon 10.09, agree wrt officials, but looking at the clip Dogga has the ball away before Sam comes through. A good call from the ref in my opinion. If it was a penalty, then it's the first favour that Mr Jozeljic has given South Hobart since Adam played left back for Jerusalem.
D'port will be a good side next year.
Congratulation to Burnie & NR for playing their game out in those conditions.
Looking fwd to the final. Someone's winning streak has to come to an end. Will be a good game if the weather holds.
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