Walter Pless on Association Football: New keepers in top form for Knights and Clarence Zebras

Photo: Clarence Zebras keeper Josh Jones is back from South Melbourne and played superbly against Knights. [PlessPix]

As Glenorchy Knights’ NPL side warmed up on Saturday before the Summer Cup game against Clarence Zebras on the new artificial surface at KGV Park, I remarked to a former goalkeeper that Knights weren’t going to win this game.

Their shooting was pretty awful in the warm up. Shots were going narrowly wide and rarely hitting the back of the net.

My predictions are often wildly inaccurate, but on this occasion they proved right on the money as the Knights succumbed 3-0 to Clarence Zebras.

During the game, Knights went close on several occasions with some powerful shots.

Photo: Nick Mearns heads over while under pressure from keeper Josh Jones. [PlessPix]

But, they either flew narrowly wide, or they were saved by goalkeeper Josh Jones.

Hugh Undy, Daniel Schmidt, Nicholas Mearns, Eduardo Castenada, Kyle Vincent and Lucas Dzalakowsi all went wide or had efforts brilliantly saved by Jones.

Photo: Lucas Dzalakowsi shoots despite pressue from two Clarence Zebras defenders. [PlessPix]

Jones had a successful season last year with South Melbourne Hellas Under-23s, who won the title, so he has benefited from the experience.

It showed in the game against Knights, where he was unbeatable.

Photo: Glenorchy Knights goalkeeper Jackson Gardner. [PlessPix]

Knights had new Canadian import, goalkeeper Jackson Gardner, on view.

He was excellent, despite conceding three goals, and I am looking forward to seeing more of him.

At one stage, Clarence Zebras’ tall Argentine import, Xuan Cappellino, seemed to try to put Gardner through the net as well as the ball, but the keeper survived the challenge, picked himself up and played on.

Clarence Zebras striker, Sam Tooze, netted a brace in this game and looked lively and dangerous.

Photo: Clarence Zebras' Sam Tooze was always dangerous. [PlessPix]

He was involved in an altercation late in the game when he tangled with Castaneda, an incident which quickly escalated and involved almost all the players.

Referee Alfonso Giusti eventually restored order, brandished a couple of yellow cards, and play resumed.

Photo: The fracas. [PlessPix]

I think Riley Dillon of Clarence Zebras received one yellow card for trying to defuse the situation which initially involved Sam Tooze and Eduardo Castaneda.

Shortly after, keeper Josh Jones also received a yellow for calling out and questioning the referee’s decision about something or other.

Cappellino marked his Tasmanian debut with Clarence Zebras’ third goal.

Photo: Xuan Calppellino (yellow boots) is congratulated by team-mates, while Knights' new signing Jack Turner looks dejected. [PlessPix]

Michael Monticchio came on as a substitute for Clarence Zebras, by the way. He joined the club from South East United and played at fullback.

But, the American will need to watch his fitness closely. At one stage, he was doing stretches during a break in play which seemed to indicate some muscle problems.

Photo: Michael Monticchio stretching his hamstrings. [PlessPix]

It was also interesting to see former University goalkeeper, Manuel Hennicke, play for Clarence Zebras' under-21 team in the 2-1 win over Glenorchy Knights in Saturday's curtain-raiser.

He is likely to be the understudy to Jones.

Photo: Manuel Hennicke, Clarence Zebras' signing from University. [PlessPix]

Clarence Zebras also had a new coach assistant coach for the seniors. All I know is he also played for University, his first name is Ivan, and he is Croatian.

Clarence Zebras will be pleased with their opening day success in both the Under-21s and the NPL, while coach James Sherman will have to try and set things right with his Knights' NPL team, while Knights' new Under-21 coach Gary Upton has enough experience to get his side up and running soon.