Launceston United announce their intentions

Photo:  Launceston United's David Owusu (blue shirt) collected a hat-trick. [PlessPix] 

Launceston United, newcomers to the NPL Tasmania competition, gave a sign of their intent yesterday in the teeming rain at Kelvedon Park against the hosts, Taroona, who are in the Southern Championship.

Launceston United fell behind to a Noah Gardner goal in the opening minute after a catastrophic clearance by the United keeper.

The keeper inexplicably threw the ball out to Gardner, who said ‘thanks very much’ and planted it into an empty net.

The visitors put that set-back behind them and went on to win 5-2 with only ten men.

Photo:  Launceston United defender Felipe Carrasco was sent off after 20 minutes. [PlessPix] 

They had Chilean import Felipe Carrasco sent off after just 20 minutes for a rash challenge on an opponent, so the northerners played with 10 men for 70 minutes.

English import David Owusu hit a hat-trick, including a penalty, while Brazilian acquisition Walter da Silva netted a brace to his United a convincing win.

Taroona’s other goal came from Fergus Bridge.

This result was not what Taroona coach Llewyn Tubb, who is in his second year at the helm of the club, would have expected.

Launceston United coach Fernando Munoz Paredes, was delighted with the win.

Photo:  Launceston United coach Fernando Munoz Paredes before the game yesterday. [PlessPix] 

“Taroona are a good team so the result was good for us,” Munoz said.

“Carrasco was a bit unlucky to be sent off for his tackle, but to play with 10 men for 70 minutes and come back as we did and win 5-2 was very good.”

In the Women’s Super League game, Taroona did very well under coach Karen Wills to beat champions Launceston United 3-2.

Daisy Parsell scored a brace for Taroona, whose other goal came from Mia Fujiura.

Photo:  Taroona coach Llewyn Tubb supervises his team's warm-up before the game against Launceston United. [PlessPix] 

Photo:  A Taroona attacker uner pressure from two Launceston United opponents. [PlessPix]

Pre-season friendlies - Saturday, 4 February 2023

Photo:  South Hobart's Sam Berezansky (left) tangles with Pascoe Vale's Joffrey N'Koso. [PlessPix] 

(South Hobart Oval)

South Hobart 1 (B Lakosejac 32) lost to Pascoe Vale 2 (Tom Harris 20, Ethan Brooks 71)

Under-21s

South Hobart 1-4 Launceston City

Photo: Referee Alfonso Giusti watches the action between Taroona and Launceston United in heavy rain at Kelvedon Park today. [PlessPix]  

(Kelvedon Park)

Southern Championship v NPL

Taroona 2-5 Launceston United

Women’s Super League

Taroona 3-2 Launceston United

Photo:  Jack Bowman marked his return for South Hobart with this outstanding tackle against Pascoe Vale. [PlessPix]  

(Valley Road)

NPL

Devonport Strikers 3-0 Glenorchy Knights

Under-21s

Devonport Strikers 4-2 Glenorchy Knights

Photo:  Action from Valley Road in the game between Devonport Strikers and Glenorchy Knights. [Photo by Craig Pitt]

Photo:  Action from today's Under-21 game between South Hobart and Launceston City at South Hobart Oval. [PlessPix]  

(Warrior Park)

Southern Championship v NPL

Olympia Warriors 2-4 Launceston City

(Windsor Park, Launceston)

NPL v Southern Championship

Riverside Olympic 2-1 Hobart United

Under-21s

Riverside Olympic 6-0 Launceston United

Photo:  South Hobart's Bradley Lakoseljac receives the plaudits of his team-mates after heading his side level at 1-1 against Pascoe Vale. [PlessPix]
 

Joffrey N'Koso returns to Hobart with Pascoe Vale

Photo:  Joffrey N'Koso (left) is looking forward to playing for Pascoe Vale against South Hobart. [PlessPix] 

There are a host of pre-season friendlies this weekend to excite fans a week out from the Summer Cup.

Devonport Strikers host NPL rivals Glenorchy Knights at Valley Road at 2pm, while the two clubs’ under-21s do battle at noon.

These clubs are the winners of the past two NPL titles so it should be an interesting sparring match.

NPL club South Hobart welcome Victorian second-tier side Pascoe Vale to South Hobart Oval for a 2pm showdown.

Pascoe Vale have been regular visitors here in the past but this is their first visit since 2020.

In 2020, they beat South Hobart 8-1 at South Hobart Oval.

Tomorrow’s game will see the return to Hobart of former Olympia Warriors and Glenorchy Knights winger, Joffery N’Koso.

N’Koso is being used as a box-to-box midfielder by Pascoe Vale’s new coach, Alex Cobo.

“I’m very excited about coming back and playing against South Hobart,” said N’Koso, who went to Melbourne two season ago.

“We’ll have a full 22-man squad and a very strong team, but we’ll be changing players during the game.

“I think I’ve improved out of sight and our players have pushed me to be better, I think.

“The previous coach was playing me at left wing, but the new coach was trying our various formations and experimenting and he’s been playing me as an attacking box-to-box midfielder.”

South Hobart coach Ken Morton said his side will be similar to the one that drew 3-3 last weekend with Victorian club Dandenong Thunder.

Photo:  Nick O'Connell (second from left) will start for South Hobart ahead of Jake Hayers (right). [PlessPix] 

“O’Connell will start in goal again and we may have Jack Bowman at centre-back,” Morton said.

“We might get more game time out of Jackson Dent as well.

“Jayden Hey has returned from Europe and, although he’s fit, we may rest him because of the long flight.  He’s only had one training session since he got back.

“We’ll try and get an hour, or maybe more, out of the main group and makes changes as necessary.

“One or two of the youngsters may be getting a chance.”

At 11.30am, South Hobart’s Under-21s will face Launceston City’s Under-21s.

Photo:  Gediminas Krusa and Lachlan Clark will be in action for Launceston City again this season. [PlessPix] 

The Launceston City NPL side will meet Olympia Warriors’ Southern Championship side at Warrior Park at 2pm.

At Kelvedon Park, Taroona’s Southern Championship side will entertain NPL club Launceston United at 11am, while at 1pm, Taroona will play Launceston United in a Women’s State League match.