South Hobart move to within 3 points of league leaders

Photos (Top to Bottom): Eagles' Alex Leszczynski (left) and South's Kostas Kanakaris chase the ball; The loneliness of the goalkeeper...Eagles' Michael Soszynski was unwell; Soszynski beaten for the third time; Eagles' Nick Ferrall (right) beats South's Jonathon Ladic in the air; South's Ricki Eaves faces Eagles' Jacob Malakoff and Andrew Clark; Malakoff (left) and Eaves vie for the ball; Leszczynski plays a pass in midfield; Ladic on the attack while Ferrall tries to impede Kanakaris; Mr Barker awards a goal; Daniel Brown about to score South's first; Mr Barker cautions Brown while Adam McKeown writhes on the ground
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NEW TOWN EAGLES 1-4 SOUTH HOBART
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New Town Eagles recovered well to equalise just before the break, but they fell apart badly midway through the second half and conceded two goals in three minutes, which broke their resistance.

Goalkeeper Michael Soszynski was unwell because of a lung infection and should probably not have played.

But, Eagles’ defending was also at fault in the goals and South Hobart used the width of the pitch to good effect.

South Hobart coach Ken Morton was absent in Melbourne, but the team played its usual style and assistant coach Jed Donoghue did not have any major decisions to make.

They missed Gary Upton, but coped without him.

South Hobart took the lead in the 22nd minute when Jonathon Ladic’s corner from the left was flicked on by Kostas Kanakaris and tapped home by Daniel Brown.

Brown had an eventful first half. He was also booked for a bad tackle on Adam McKeown.

Eagles’ equaliser in the 38th minute came from an excellent build-up down the left.

Shane Kent released Cormac Collins wide on the left and he cut inside and shot against the crossbar. The ball rebounded to Adam Shackcloth, who was making a rare senior appearance, and he slotted it beyond goalkeeper Mark Moncur and inside the far post.

Josh Heerey restored South’s lead in the 63rd minute after the visitors had torn open the Eagles defence in style.

A minute later, a low cross from the left by Liam Scott found Kanakaris free and his sloppy shot struck the base of a post. Before Eagles could react and clear, Kanakaris threw himself at the ball and forced it over the line to make it 3-1.

Soszynski complained that the striker had thrown himself into the fray with studs showing, but the goal stood.

A minute from the end, Kanakaris played substitute Julius Ross through on the left and he deftly lifted the ball over Soszynski and into the net to complete the scoring.

South Hobart are now a point adrift of second-placed Glenorchy Knights and three behind leaders Tilford Zebras, whom they meet shortly.

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• New Town Eagles coach, George Krambousanos, said:

“I thought we gave them a good run for their money.

“First half, we had a few things up our sleeve and the plan was going well.

“We stopped their attacks down the flank.

“Very proud of the boys in the first half.

“Second half, they exploited that flank again and did very well. We just lost our momentum for three minutes and they scored two goals and that opened the game up for them.

“But, I’m happy with my lads. Very happy.”

• South Hobart assistant coach, Jed Donoghue, said:

“I thought it was a good game.

“A bit of a battle in the first half. I mean, they showed a lot of spirit and theyw on some of those fifty-fifty balls, which are critical.

“We didn’t take our chances, but I think the boys showed that in the second half they just kept at it, were disciplined, kept at the task, got the ball out wide, closed them down and created a few more chances.

“So, it was a good performance in the second half.”

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New Town Eagles: Soszynski - Page, Wass, Clark, Ferrall - Shackcloth, Leszczynski, Kent, Malakoff - McKeown, Collins

Booked: Leszczynski

Goals: Shackcloth 38

South Hobart: Moncur - Pennicott, Ludford, Cooper, Scott - Abbott, Ladic, Heerey, D Brown, Hickey - Kanakaris

Booked: Brown, Hickey

Goals: Brown 22, Heerey 63, Kanakaris 64, Ross 89

Att: 90

Ref: K Barker

South Hobart put pressure on leading pair with win against Eagles

Photos (Top to Bottom): Referee Kim Barker tosses the coin for the captains; Eagles' Shane Kent gets the ball away from South's David Abbott and Jonathon Ladic; South's Costas Kanakrisis confronted by Eagles' Nick Ferrall; Kanakaris is bundled over by a posse of Eagles players; Eagles' Adam McKeown squeezes between South's Daniel Brown and David Cooper

Third-placed South Hobart moved to within 4 points of Forestry Tasmania Southern Premier League leaders Tilford Zebras by beating sixth-placed New Town Eagles 4-1 away at Clare Street today.

South Hobart took the lead through Daniel Brown in the 22nd minute, following a corner.

Eagles equalised in the 38th minute after an excellent build-up down the left.

Shane Kent put Cormac Collins through and, when his shot hit the crossbar, Adam Shackcloth stroked home the rebound.

Two goals in three minutes midway through the second half killed off Eagles, while a goal in the final minute sealed the three points for the visitors.

In the 63rd minute, Josh Heerey made it 2-1, while in the 64th minute, a low cross from the left by Liam Scott saw Costas Kanakaris initially hit the post with his shot.

The ball was blocked on the line, but Kanakaris was able to bundle it into the net as Eagles were too slow in reacting.

Substitute Julius Ross netted the fourth after being put through on the left by Kanakaris and then deftly chipping the ball over goalkeeper Michael Soszynski.

Goals by Akuel Guot, Andrew Otto and Alex Bellini gave Hobart United a 3-1 win over Northern Suburbs DOSA at Pontville and moved United off the foot of the Division One ladder, at the expense of Christian United.

In the Premier League Reserves, goals by Jared O’Brien, Seth Otte and Simon Burrett gave South Hobart a 3-1 win over Eagles, who replied through Matt Fennell.

In Division One Reserves, DOSA downed Hobart United 2-1, while in the Under-19s, Eagles defeated South 4-1 and Hobart United overcame DOSA 3-0.

Eagles’ scorers in the under-19s were Kain Davey, Andrew Hagger, Matthew Ball and Alexander Ayers, while Dylan Postma replied for South.

Clarence reach semi-finals for second year in row

Photos (Top to Bottom): Clarence captain Ben Parker greets the match officials; University's Richard Delara takes on Clarence's Chris Hunt; Clarence's Chris Hunt and Matt Lewis tangle with University's Michael Andrews; University's Aaron Hindmarsh (No. 17) is tackled by Clarence's Chris Hunt; Clarence striker Luke Cripps tries to get in a shot in a crowded goalmouth
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CLARENCE UNITED 2-0 UNIVERSITY
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Clarence United progressed to the semi-finals of the Milan Lakoseljac Memorial Trophy state-wide competition for the second year in a row with this 2-0 win over University at Wentworth Park.

They join Tilford Zebras, Northern Rangers and Somerset in the semi-final draw.

University had the better of the first half but did not seem to know what off-side meant.

They missed a couple of easy chances and Nigel Blundell also struck a fine shot against the Clarence crossbar.

University suffered a blow early on when Ben Hewson suffered a bad cut to the head and had to be replaced. He went to hospital for treatment.

And, they had Rory McCallum and Andrew King booked yet again. At this rate, they’ll both be suspended before much longer.

Clarence gained the ascendancy in the second half and Ben Hamlett, returning after many weeks out through injury, put them ahead on the hour, converting a low cross from the right by Luke Cripps.

University keeper Hamish Peacock got his hands to the ball but could not keep it out.

Substitute Ben Phillips made the game safe with a strike two minutes from the end, following David Hoppitt’s low cross from the right.

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• Clarence United coach, Andrew Brown, said:

“After last week, it was a very big effort by the players.

“We actually found a training ground on Thursday to train and I think you saw an improvement today.

“We know we’re a long way off where we want to be, but as the game unfolded - I thought we rode our luck a little but early when they hit the woodwork and had another couple of decent chances - but as we got into the game, the players seemed to be recovering some of their confidence in their own ability.

“The first goal was a little bit fortuitous, but all the same, it was a good strike by Hamlett. We’ve missed that, someone who can just pop up in the box and out it in the net.

“But, the second goal was really good. I was very happy.

“To turn the corner? We’ll see. Next week is a long way away.”

• University coach, Scott Gallacher, said:

“A game of two halves.

“We sort of fell away and couldn’t match it fitness wise.

“But, I thought the first half we played really well. We could have sneaked a goal there and might have been able to hold on.

“I think they’re a good side, Clarence.

“I’m a bit disappointed today. Normally, I’m not that competitive with the cup, but I was hoping to get through today.

“I think the boys can hold their heads up high because we gave it to them in the first half.”
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Clarence United: Moschogianis - Toghill, S McIntyre, Lewis, J Huigsloot (Hoppitt 70) - McMahon, Cannamela, Parker, Hunt - Cripps, Hamlett (Phillips 83) (Substitutes not used: Barron, Grainger)

Booked: Parker 75

Goals: Hamlett 60, Phillips 88

University: Peacock - Hewson (Besley 25), Andrews, Fletcher, Griffiths - King, Merry, Delara (Burgess 74), Blundell - Hindmarsh (Narulla 83), McCallum (Substitute not used: Cropp)

Booked: McCallum 5, King 26

Att: 80

Ref: I Jozeljic

Two southern and two northern sides through to cup semi-finals

Photos (Top to Bottom): Northern Rangers' Mark Ambrose has a shot at goal (Photo by Saedah Saad); Northern Rangers' under-18 player Stephan Jago (Photo by Saedah Saad); Northern Rangers' 18-year-old goalkeeper, James Wilson, who was standing in for Marshall Pooley (Photo by Saedah Saad); University's Jon Merry (left) clears ahead of Clarence's Ben Hamlett and Chris Hunt; University's Richard Delara (left) pursued by Chris Hunt; Clarence's Luke Cripps (left) battles with University's Ben Hewson; Clarence's Luke Cripps (right) tussles with University's Iain Fletcher (Southern photos by walter Pless)

Two southern and two northern teams will contest the semi-finals of the Milan Lakoseljac Memorial Trophy state-wide competition.

In today’s quarterfinals, Tilford Zebras beat Riverside Olympic 4-3 in Launceston, while Clarence United downed University 2-0 at home at Wentworth Park.

And, Somerset overcame Glenorchy Knights 3-2 at home at Cardigan Street, while Northern Rangers triumphed 2-1 over Prospect Knights at home at the NTCA Ground.

A hat-trick by Ben Crosswell and a goal by Jayden Welch saw the Zebras home over Riverside, which replied through Will Guy, Aaron Campbell and a Ben Taylor penalty.

Zebras were without Andrew Telega, Aaron Brazendale and Brett Pullen.

University had the better of the opening half against Clarence but the closest they came to scoring was when Nigel Blundell hit the crossbar on the half-hour.

University also had Rory McCallum and Andrew King booked in the first half.

Clarence gradually got on top in the second half and Ben Hamlett, making his return after many weeks out through injury, put them ahead on the hour from Luke Cripps’s low cross from the right.

University goalkeeper Hamish Peacock got his hands to the ball but could not keep it out.

Two minutes from the end, substitute Ben Phillips made the game safe when he hammered home David Hoppitt’s low cross from the right.

A Bobby Eaves hat-trick powered Somerset to their win over the visiting Glenorchy Knights.

James Hope and Brodie Green netted for Knights, who lost Brazilian midfielder Breno Bianchini Joviano Dos Santos and Lindsay Millington through injury in the first half.

A penalty by Mark Ambrose gave Rangers a 1-0 lead at half-time against Prospect Knights, while Ambrose struck again on the hour to make it 2-0.

Sean Harris pulled a goal back from the penalty spot for Prospect in the 69th minute, but Rangers held on to win and earn a semi-final berth.

League-leaders Metro stayed 4 points ahead of second-placed Taroona when both won their Division One matches today.

Metro overcame second-last Christian United 7-2 at home at North Chigwell, with Jason Dawes netting a hat-trick and two of the club’s Scottish imports, Colin Sweeney and Steve McClung, each grabbing a brace.

Matthew Sly and Wilson Lumago replied for Christian, who stay 2 points ahead of bottom-side Hobart United.

Hobart United can move off the bottom of the ladder by beating fifth-placed Northern Suburbs DOSA at home at Pontville on Sunday.

Taroona scraped home 1-0 against fourth-placed Nelson Eastern Suburbs through a goal by Lucas Wyatt, but Taroona dominated the match territorially.

In the Premier League Under-19s, University downed Clarence United 4-0, while in the Division One Reserves, Metro trounced Christian 9-1 and Taroona beat Nelson 6-1.

In the Division One Under-19s, Taroona easily overcame Nelson 7-0.

Saturday Results

Photos (Top to Bottom): University's Richard Delara (left) fouls Jacob Huigsloot; Clarence's Chris Hunt eludes University's Jon Merry; University's Ben Hewson suffers a cut to his head; he was substituted and went to hospital

Milan Lakoseljac Memorial Trophy Quarterfinals

Clarence United 2 (B Hamlett 60, B Phillips 88) b University 0
Northern Rangers 2 (M Ambrose 25 pen, 60) b Prospect Knights 1 (S Harris 69 pen)
Somerset 3 (B Eaves 3) b Glenorchy Knights 2 (Hope, Green)
Riverside Olympic 3 lt Tilford Zebras 4 (Crosswell 3, Welch)

Southern Division One

Taroona 1 (Wyatt) b Nelson Eastern Suburbs 0
Metro 7 (Dawes 3, Sweeney 2, McClung 2) b Christian United 2 (Sly, Lumago)

Reserves

Taroona 6-1 Nelson Eastern Suburbs
Metro 9-1 Christian United

Under-19s

Taroona 7-0 Nelson Eastern Suburbs

Premier League Under-19s

Clarence United 0-4 University

Division Two

Hobart Olympic 0-5 New Town Eagles

Three southern and one northern side to progress to semi-finals of Milan Lakoseljac Memorial Trophy state-wide competition

Three southern teams should make it to the semi-finals of the Milan Lakoseljec Memorial Trophy state-wide competition after Saturday’s quarterfinals.

Northern Rangers, first in the northern league, meet third-placed Prospect Knights at Birch Avenue in the only all-northern clash, which ensures there will be one northern club in the semi-final draw.

Hobart Zebras, top in the south, should be too good for fifth-placed northerners, Riverside Olympic, away at Windsor Park, while Glenorchy Knights, second in the south, should account for fourth-ranked northern outfit, Somerset, away at Cardigan Street.

The remaining quarterfinal tie is an all-southern affair, with fifth-placed Clarence United hosting bottom-side University at Wentworth Park at 2pm.

Although this is a knockout cup competition, in which anything can happen, league placings should be a reliable guide for the outcomes this time.

Rangers beat Prospect 3-0 in the league last weekend and this should be a repeat performance, although Prospect coach Dane Hudson has other ideas.

“After last week’s loss in the roster match, we really need to address the technical aspect of our game,” said Hudson. “I thought we gave them opportunities they didn’t deserve simply by not finding our own players’ feet.

“There are no excuses, though, as we played a very good team that has had only 6 goals scored against them, so this week we will need to address some issues in our attacking third and make sure we are effective in and around the box and get a good completion rate on our attacks.

“We have three players out from last week, but are getting back two more from our senior group.

“It’s a cup game, so anything can happen and we won’t be sitting back.”

Rangers will field a very young side against Prospect Knights.

“We will be resting some senior players to give exposure to some young ones and, hopefully, they will be the backbone to future team,” said Rangers coach, Roslan Saad.

“This is not a sign of complacency, but rather priority.

“Like I said at the beginning of the season, the cup will be used as a development opportunity and we are just looking at performance improvement rather than results.

“But, hopefully, we are able to finish better than last year’s quarter-final stage.

“Knights have enough quality to win the game, but I believe the young boys will not make it easy for them.

“I told my young boys that they will be going into the game as underdogs and it is up to them to prove me wrong.”

Clarence will have striker Ben Hamlett back after a lengthy absence through injury, but midfielder Joseph Stevens is unavailable because of university exams.

Clarence were disappointing last week when they went down 6-0 to South Hobart and University must be in with a chance after getting their second win of the season last weekend.

Zebras are a goalscoring machine and Riverside will not be able to resist the southerners’ onslaught, which will come from all angles and many different players.

Similarly, Glenorchy Knights are in a rich vein of form and have won seven games in a row, the last being Wednesday’s night’s 3-0 win over Kingborough Lions United through two goals by James Hope and one by Josh Fielding.

Knights introduced their new Brazilian midfielder, Breno Bianchini Joviano Dos Santos, and he looked quite tidy on the ball and made the third goal.

Knights will travel to the North-West Coast on Friday so that the team is fresh for Saturday’s game.

The only Premier League game this weekend is at Clare Street on Sunday, when sixth-placed New Town Eagles entertain third-placed and reigning champions South Hobart.

Both sides should be at full strength, but South coach Ken Morton will be in Melbourne and Jed Donoghue and Bart Beecroft will coach the side in his absence.

Eagles coach, George Krambousanos, said South’s 6-0 win over Clarence last weekend was the best performance he has seen from South and his side will need to be in top form to earn even a point.

Krambousanos has been working on a strategy to overcome South’s threat and this should be a fascinating encounter.

Metro and Taroona should continue their chase at the top of Division One

Metro should maintain their 4-point lead at the top of the Division One competition by beating sixth-placed Christian United at home at North Chigwell on Saturday.

And, second-placed Taroona are also favoured to overcome fourth-placed Nelson Eastern Suburbs at home at Kelvedon Park.

Christian United trained at Sherburd Park for the first time in two weeks this week, which is hardly adequate preparation for taking on the league leaders.

Brodie Whayman re-injured an ankle at training and looks like missing more games now.

Defender Ben DeHoog missed Christian’s previous match but returns in this game.

Metro have far too much firepower for Christian and should further improve their goal-difference.

Taroona will be without Llewyn Tubb for the game against Nelson as he is interstate, so Lucas Wyatt comes in to the line-up at right-back.

Striker Daniel Palmer will make his first start in a couple of seasons and play at centre-forward, while Chris Cox will move to the left wing.

Duncan Carey will start on the bench.

“We’ve had an interrupted few weeks with postponed games and cancelled training sessions, so I will be hoping we can come out, get settled and find our touch quickly,” said Taroona coach, Ben Horgan.

Nelson defender Robert Brooke is doubtful because of a knee problem, while striker Luke Wallace will also be missing.

Andrew Gaskell, a striker from the under-19s, will get a run and utility players Jayden Andrews or Rowan Sakul may come into the team.

“It was a bad result for us last week, with Beachside moving the ball around well in difficult, muddy conditions,” said Nelson coach, Michael Roach.

“Their finishing was also spot on, while we were inconsistent in our defensive efforts and, when we did create opportunities going forward, our decision making was poor.

“I just didn’t think the players were in the right mood to play.

“Having one of our few consistently good performers in Luke Wallace out this week won’t help either, but we do have enough good players at this club to get a result against Taroona.

“It’s time for the players to show some determination and self belief.”

Bottom-side Hobart United entertain fifth-placed Northern Suburbs DOSA at Pontville on Sunday and will be looking to continue their improvement now that they are just 2 points adrift of second-last Christian United.

DOSA will be without Calvin Frith because of work commitments, but Joel Richardson returns.

Scott MacCrum and Nick Radovanovic must pass fitness tests, with Adam Bronson and Janagan Durijah waiting in the wings for coach Joe O’Hea’s nod to play should they fail.

“Our last two games have been against the top two teams, conceding two goals in each,” said DOSA’s Richard Korn.

“In both games, we’ve played well defensively, restricting the opposition to ‘kick and hope’ shots most of the time.

“Goalkeeper Justin Farrugia is keeping the best he has since 2004.

“We’ve changed his training and pre-match routines back to what they were five years ago and it’s working well for him.

“We have not been effective in counter-attacking, however, and that is where we will need to lift if we’re to have any chance of gaining much-needed points against a quickly improving Hobart United.

“The two teams have played twice this year, both times resulting in wins to DOSA, by 2-0 in the Summer Cup and 5-2 in round one in the league.

“We’re aware we’ll be facing a much different Hobart United team this time around.”