Sunday, January 29, 2023

South Hobart produce courageous 3-3 draw against visiting Thunder

Photo:  Dandenong Thunder were always dangerous in attack against South Hobart. [PlessPix]  

(Pre-season Friendly, South Hobart Oval, Saturday, 28 January 2023)

South Hobart 3 (Jackson Dent 12, Iskander Van Doorne 26, Sam Lancaster 69)

Dandenong Thunder 3 (Joshua Meaker 20, Seva Ismali 60, Grad Daman 76)

HT:  2-1   Att:  200   Ref:  S Plomaritis

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Photo:  Kasper Hallam warms up before the game. [PlessPix] 

The return of former South Hobart winger Kasper Hallam was eagerly anticipated in this game, but the youngster went off after just 20 minutes as he felt a tweak in the quadriceps.

It was a pity as he had a hand in Dandenong Thunder’s early equaliser and must have been looking forward to showing what he has learned from his stint with A-League club Melbourne Victory.

Dandenong looked the technically more accomplished team, but South Hobart demonstrated grit and determination and also a fair amount of skill, too.

Dandenong switched play from one flank to the other constantly with long diagonal passes, which had the South Hobart defence scampering to cover their opponents.

The Dandenong wingers were fast and skilful and used feints and other tricks to round opponents, get to the byline and send in dangerous crosses for lurking team-mates.

Photo:  A Dandenong shot at South Hobart's goal. [PlessPix] 

Jackson Dent put South Hobart ahead from close range in the 12th minute, but a cross from Hallam paved the way for Joshua Meaker to equalise 8 minute later.

South Hobart restored their lead before half-time when Alex Browne’s shot was turned against the inside of the far left-hand post by Dandenong keeper Majak Mawith and, as the ball rolled back across the face of goal, Iskander Van Doorne slammed it home.

Dandenong increased the temp in the second half and Kieran Dover was menacing down the flanks, as was Sanih Zijai.

Photo:  A Dandenong player slides for the ball. [PlessPix] 

Josh Karanz was dangerous in a central role and he almost scored with a fierce shot that South Hobart keeper Jake Hayers turned against the bar.  Hayers had come on at half-time in place of Nick O’Connell, who has returned after a season at A-League side Brisbane Roar.

Zijai was unlucky not to score when he headed Dover’s cross from the right against the bar from beyond the far post.

Seva Ismaili made it 2-2 on the hour, but South Hobart refused to surrender and kept pressing whenever they could.

They were rewarded in the 69th minute when Sam Lancaster out them ahead with a fine goal.

With 14 minutes remaining, Dandenong again attacked down the right flank and the tricky Zijai beat his fullback and cut the ball back for Grad Daman to make it 3-3.

Photo:  Ken Morton (left) and David Chick. [PlessPix]  

South Hobart coach, Ken Morton, said:

“We wanted to get a good hour in with a strong team and I think we just did that so we’ll be good for the run.

“We needed a good hit-out and we got that today.

“They were very sharp and slick in different periods of the game with good flank attacks and we had to defend well to keep them out.

“Overall, an enjoyable game for the people to watch and a pleasure to have Dandenong in Hobart.  It was great.

Dandenong Thunder coach, David Chick, said:

“I think it was a good hit-out against good opposition who tested us all the way through.  They were well organised and worked hard and we got a tough game, which is what we wanted.

“It was a very competitive game with six goals so it was entertaining for the neutral.

“There’s a bit for us to work on, but we know that.

“I enjoyed the hit-out.  I’ve been here before with a different team and it’s always good.”

Photo:  Dandenong get in a shot at goal. [PlessPix]

Saturday, January 28, 2023

Pre-season friendlies - 28 January 2023

Photo:  Dandenong Thunder winger Kasper Hallam was back in town to face his former club South Hobart.  He made the first goal but went off injured before the break with a twinge in his quad. [PlessPix] 

Pre-season Friendlies (28 January 2023)

(South Hobart Oval)

South Hobart 3 (Jackson Dent 12, Iskander Van Doorne 26, Sam Lancaster 69) drew with Dandenong Thunder 3 (Joshua Meaker 20, Seva Ismali 60, Grad Daman 76)

Photo:  A Dandenong shot at goal today. [PlessPix]  

Photo:  Nick Morton clears for South Hobart. [PlessPix] 

(Under-21s)

South Hobart 1-0 Riverside Olympic

Photo:  South Hobart clear their lines against Riverside Olympic. [PlessPix]   

(Pembroke Park, Sorell)

South East United 1-0 New Town White Eagles

South East United 2-4 Launceston City

New Town White Eagles 1-2 Launceston City

Photo:  Eagles in possession against South East United. [PlessPix]
 
Photo:  South East United cause Eagles a headache. [PlessPix] 

Friday, January 27, 2023

Kasper Hallam to face his former club tomorrow in pre-season friendly

Photo:  Ken Morton will give some of his youngsters a wun against the Thunder. [PlessPix] 

South Hobart will host Victorian side Dandenong Thunder at 2pm at South Hobart tomorrow.

Dandenong finished 8th in the 14-team Victorian NPL last season.

Former ace Tasmanian striker Brayden Mann plays for them, but he is currently injured and won’t face his former side tomorrow.

One former South Hobart player who will face his former club is winger Kasper Hallam.

Photo:  Kasper Hallam (left) in action for South Hobart against Olympia Warriors. [PlessPix] 

Hallam left South Hobart at the beginning of last season to join A-League club Melbourne Victory, but has now signed for Dandenong Thunder for the 2023 NPL Victoria season.

South Hobart have signed former keeper Nick O’Connell after he competed a season with A-League outfit Brisbane Roar.

He will vie for the number one goalkeeping berth with last year’s senior keeper Jake Hayers.

Centre-back Luke Bighin has left South Hobart and signed for Brunswick Juventus in Melbourne.  They are in NPL Victoria 2.

Photo:  Luke Bighin shoots for goal against Glenorchy Knights. [PlessPix] 

His fellow centre-back Loic Feral will not play as he is due to return to France on holiday for a period.

South Hobart will also be without precocious striker Josh Divin, who has joined A-League club Western United’s under-23s.

Utility player Jayden Hey will be another absentee as he is in Europe on a delayed honeymoon.

South Hobart were beaten 2-1 a couple of weeks agon by Glenorchy Knights in a pre-season friendly and tomorrow’s game will be tougher, especially in the expected high temperatures.

“We’ve got some players away but I’m happy where we are at this stage of pre-season,” said South Hobart coach, Ken Morton.

“We’re probably not as advanced as in other years because we started a little bit later.

“This will be our first practice game in a while against interstate teams because of COVID.”

Morton said he would be looking to give his more experienced players plenty of game time and he would also play some youngsters to give them experience.

“If I get an hour in with the top players, then I’ll be quite happy,” Morton said.

The curtain-raiser at 11.45am will be between South Hobart’s Under-21s and Riverside Olympic’s Under-21s.

In other pre-season friendlies, Launceston City will travel to Sorell to meet New Town White Eagles at 2pm and South East United at noon.