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Clear signs are already emerging after just the first round of Southern Championship matches.
Hobart City were walloped 8-1 away by University at Olinda Grove, which indicates it could be a long and difficult season for City.
City are the newcomers on the block, in a way, having merged with Beachside a couple of seasons ago before now taking over the mantle as a team in their own right.
They’re not strictly new, though. They existed decades ago but became defunct in the late 1980s after being expelled from the top flight and demoted to the second division.
On Saturday, against University, they trailed 2-0 after 27 minutes before Xavier Lynch put them back in the game with a goal in the 33rd minute and they were 2-1 down at the interval.
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Daniel Goodluck made it 3-1 for University in the 54th minute befoe two goals by Andrew Willcox put University 5-1 up.
Stuart Carnaby made it 6-1 in the 69th minute and City suffered a further setback a minute later when they had Fernandez Oliveira sent off.
Being down to 10 men made things even harder for City and they conceded two more goals before the end, Trent Green and Ramiro Vilar making the final score 8-1.
South Hobart fell behind 2-0 to Glenorchy Knights before recovering to lead 3-2 at the break and winning 7-2.
Knights were looking good at 2-0 but will need to learn how to hold on to a lead.
The Championship season began on Friday night when New Town White Eagles beat Olympia Warriors 1-0 away at Empire Couriers Park.
Eagles’ goal was a penalty awarded for a foul on new signing Matthew Pace and converted by Brett Andrews in the 24th minute.
Connor McGuinness had a fine game in goal for Olympia, but Eagles had many more goalscoring chances but slack finishing let them down.
“It wasn’t a great game for the neutral,” said Eagles coach, Tommy Fotak.
“There were definitely some first game jitters for both teams.
“Given the atmosphere, I was pleased with the boys’ restraint at times.
“There were moments of play where we showed what we’re capable of and what we’re trying to do but there weren’t enough of them,
“Again, that’s most likely due to it being our first hit out.
“We left a few goals out there and we defended well.
“It’s a win and three points, so there’s a few positives to go with the lessons.”
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Olympia Warriors coach, Alex Holmes, said: “Frustrating.
“We were very much in the game but didn’t take our chances.
“They got some extra chances at the end when our legs had gone, but I think it was a good hard-fought game.
“Disappointing not to take something from it, but a good hit-out for our first game.”
South East United led Hobart United 2-0 midway though the opening half through goals by Luke Huigsloot and Daniel Harris.
Hobart United rallied in the second half and two goals by John Buga made it 2-2 six minutes after the resumption.
Joseph Mwarabu and Moses Khasif struck within a minute of each other with 10 minutes remaining to ensure the visitors of all three points.
Taroona beat Clarence Zebras 3-0 through goals by Sam James, Declan Taylor and Toby Fleming.
Taylor left NPL Tasmania club Kingborough Lions United last week and joined Taroona. And is already making an impact.
He was one of Kingborough’s best players and his loss is a huge blow to the Lions, who also have Jaeden Mercure unavailable through injury.
It was strange sight seeing the Championship competition minus Metro, one of the oldest clubs and a torch bearer in the Northern Suburbs.
7 comments:
Alex Holmes:
“They got some extra chances at the end when our legs had gone, but I think it was a good hard-fought game.
Well that’s a big worry if your young brigade ran out of legs compared to the over 35’s in NTWE!
With Football Tasmanian allowing Knights and Zebras to join South in the Champ / Champ 1 competition something had to give. Players to fill 4 teams had to come from somewhere. Metro was the Club that suffered. Most Championships clubs are struggling for numbers. Hobart City lost nearly an entire team to Knights. When NPL clubs are in EVERY LEAGUE why would anyone go to Championship Club.
Unless you are an Npl club Football in this State is in big trouble
All is not well at Holmes Warriors are in trouble. Lost key players, current squad not fit.
Whilst you're not wrong that NPL clubs should not be in champ, there's two things to remember, firstly the horse bolted last season allowing South Hobart in, and secondly, looking at the teamsheets not a single Metro player was on the books for either club - Metro only have themselves to blame for the club's decline.
As a Beachside faithful, who enjoyed years playing at the club, I was gutted with the name change that essentially wiped the heritage of the club.
Whilst obviously not the playing squads decision, I hold nothing against them.. I do enjoy seeing this result knowing the committee will hopefully realise their mistakes.
Wonder how long those 20 free signings will last at the club? Did Hobart City manage to get new strips, or did they just sow on a new badge like they did electronically in all their preseason media?
Beachside 4 Eva.
March 19, 2024 at 9:01 PM
What, you can't be fit over the age of 35? NTE also knock the ball around better than anyone else. Olympia likely going to tire chasing the ball.
Tell me you know nothing about soccer without telling me.
What
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