Lakoseljac Cup, curtain-raiser finals, KGV, 11/06/12

Under 19s Cup, Kingborough Lions v. Clarence United

10.03. First game underway. Two minutes late. Does that mean 5 minutes early in the Hobart soccer time zone?

Clarence attacking the FFT end. Impressions are that both teams are keen. Some of the challenges have been hard - but fair.

Clarence no 9 has three chances in three seconds to put it in. 1. Airswing. 2. Slammed into defender. 3. Put over bar from two metres out.

Clarence probably shading it. Lovely through ball from Aldridge puts Browning in on goal. Tries to beat poorly positioned keeper at near post. Just wide.

Good periods for both teams. Clarence counter attacking beautifully. Central striker Aldridge is the real creative influence for them. His first touch and vision are very good and his instincts are good as well.

Another glorious chance to Clarence. Put wide when easier to score. They may come to rue these misses.

Glancing header from kingborough free kick goes just wide. Unlucky.

Goal. Beautifully timed through ball from Aldridge to Browning. Simple one on one and beats the keeper. Clarence 1-0.

Half time. Clarence deserve their lead but should be further in front. They could have had three.

View from FFT HQ in the second half.

Despite Clarence's dominance there's still a feeling that kingborough are well in it. Another goal would seal it.

Kingborough. Just over.

Lions starting to come into it. Scene is set for a tight finish. Kingborough now dominant. Browning replaced.

Good keeping in one on one prevents Kingborough goal.

Full time. Clarence win.

The victorious Clarence team.

Vase Final, Olympia Warriors v. Devenport

Won 6-0 by Olympia.There was no way I was going to be able to do all 4 games so I had to get back home for a rest during one of them. The Back Post team did a good job on it.

Women's Final, Olympia Warriors v. Clarence United

Arrived back at 2.30. A nice tension building before the women's final. Olympia have it over Clarence this season (10-1 is the most recent score) but this is, as they say, a cup final.

2.59. Underway. And the space-time continuum has just fractured.

Good energetic start. Clarence with a couple of forays.

Olympia corner. Chambers towers over defence to meet corner. Powerfully over.

Third of succession of o corners. Keeper takes well.

3.07. Cantrell swivels and shoots. Just wide.

3.09. C attack breaks down. Another attack. Good cross from left. Keeper saves.

3.12. Good Clarence attack.

3.14. Another Olympia corner. Keeper flaps. Cleared. Follow up shot behind.

3.17. Olympia attack. Clarence clear and counter.

Olympia look the better organized team but Clarence having a good go.

3.19. Olympia shot wide.

3.20. Olympia attack down right. Weak cross. Clarence counter. Long ball doesn't make goal line. Eventually behind for o goal kick.

3.22. Committed defence from Clarence left back.

3.24. Olympia looking good in build up but committed Clarence defence managing to deal with them in the final third.

3.27. "Clarence looking likely" says a back poster. Clarence have had a couple of attempts, one a decent strike from the right.

3.31. Clarence attacking free kick from left. Behind for goal kick.

Clarence still showing enough to be able to score, especially when Olympia seem a little rattled at the back.

3.36. Good break by Clarence. Terrific cover tackle by Cantrell.

3.37. Olympia one on one. Beats keeper. Beats post.

3.40. Goal. Olympia. One on one. 1-0.

Had to come but Clarence nearly pull one back straight away. Clarence have to pressure the nervous Olympia defence.

3.44. Half time. 1-0.

Olympia the better team but they have probably been taken aback by Clarence's commitment. Clarence could have had a couple but for poor finishing and poor decision making but Olympia deserve the narrow lead.

2nd half.

I change sides for the second half. And yet another stunning view.
That grandstand is full as well.

Clarence fluff another chance. Olympia break foiled by offside.

Good open game now with both sides looking dangerous.

4.15. Fantastic goal to Clarence. Well-worked break. Terrific final ball and slotted. Crowd goes off. 1-1.

4.18. Good break by Olympic. Defence up to it and puts behind for corner. Another corner. Keeper up well under pressure.

4.20. Olympic now seeming to play on counter.

4.21. Free kick from left. Nodded on and headed in powerfully by 13. Olympic back in front. 2-1.

4:23. Brave keeping from Olympia.

4.26. Olympia now dominating but Clarence still showing signs of being able to equalize.

4.28. Long shot by Olympia and good save in the end by keeper who went down too early.

4.29. Keeper fumbles. Corner. Kicked into side netting.

4.31. Clarence attacking left. Dangerous ball in. Kicked behind for goal kick.

4.33. Dangerous ball by olympia. Just too hard. Keeper gathers.

4.34. Clarence goes to other end. Forces desperate save.

4.36. Clarence free kick 30 out. Ball in. Weak shot by Clarence. Keeper saves.

4.38. Good cross by Olympia. Just too far from striker. Keeper gathers.

4.40. Dangerous Clarence break. Stopped by robust tackle.

4.42. Great cross from left to Cantrell who controls well and slams a good shot only just wide.

4.46. One minute to go.

Apparently not. Full time. Olympia win a fantastic game 2-1.

Clarence worked so hard and every players put in a remarkable effort. But they were no match in the end for Olympia's quality and organization. Clarence's goal produced s tremendous roar from the crowd but olympia's goal celebration took me back to Clarendon corner. The goalscorer pointed to the supporters behind the goal and ran to their embrace. Stirring stuff. Breathtaking game in the end. Probably the one I've enjoyed the most since I've been here.

South Hobart FC v Clarence United FC, Washington St, 09/06/12

Washington Street at 2.30 and my first chance to see Clarence play.

Can't find all that much about them on the web but I got this from Wikipedia:

In the 1970s there was a lack of association football clubs in the Municipality of Clarence on Hobart's eastern shore, with most of the southern clubs located in Hobart. A group of keen players, many of whom were from the Scottish Australianexpatriate community held a meeting in October 1977 to discuss thepossibility of forming a new club to enter the 1978 southerncompetition. The club was formed in 1978 as Phoenix Rovers Soccer Club,and originally wore a Scotland International strip for home matches,and a plain red t-shirt as an alternative away strip.

Clarence has the third best defensive record in the league and I expect they are going to have trouble maintaining that record today. They will have to muster all the reserves that have achieved that standing against a South Hobart team to will be looking to score a few goals today.

I'm going with South to win at their home 4-0. If this fires up the Clarence team to do something about that, well and good!

My usual rider: I'll give my impressions but if it's knowledge and substance you are after check out either or both of these blogs: Walter Pless's blog & The Back Post

I hope to be at the ground and blogging from about 1.15.
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As promised. Here in time to see South Hobart reserves pull one back to make it 1-2 just before half time.

The ground is still sloping and still has its special character.

Second half underway. Even tussle. Hilarious moment when sh 8 gets hit where it hurts and the Clarence player putting it out nearly hits him again. The player saw the funny side if things through gritted teeth.

Good attacking play by c nearly pays off a couple of times.

The players are soulful and put together some nice moves. I know I'm starting to go on a bit but the decision making when under the slightest of pressure is a problem.

Poor tackle by Clarence 4 gets yellow.

Goal. On level terms now.

Good keeping by Clarence coming out to prevent certain goal.

A couple of wild shots and a botched sure thing.

Clarence one on one after defensive error. Keeper came out to close angle and just not enough loft on the chip.

Now Clarence dominating.

Enjoying this. A goal is always looking likely.

The most awful offside flag against Clarence. Taka About 3 metres on when the ball was kicked.

Goal. Sh free kick against bar onto keeper and in. 3-2 south.

Full time. 3-2. Draw would have been a fairer result.

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No way will the game start on time.

Underway. South attacking the Washington st end.

2.38. Underway. South attacking the Washington st end.

2.42. Good interpassing leads to stinging shot by Brennan. Goalkeeper beats down and gathers.

2.43. Play goes other end keeper gathers in scramble. South attack. Another shot by Brennan. Not enough power to get past keeper.

South putting together some good moves.

2.48. Hickey free kick from left. Beautiful. Headed in by Williams. South 1-0. Walter picked it.

2.50. Brennan rattles bar. Follow up player called offside.

2.51. Merkuzic down hurt. Stretcher called for.

2.55. Game resumed. Good attack by South. Put behind for corner. Headed wide.

2.58C larence look threatening but with Hickey in control South's build ups look so much better.

3.00 South attack looking likely every time they go forward.

3.01. Clarence shot from distance by cairns. Wide.

3.02. Bad tackle by Ludford. Yellow.

3.03. Cairns down hurt after being checked in a one- two.

Macintyre walks after being red carded.

3.06.  Macintyre ledger tackle on ludford. Red.

3.07. Consecutive corners to South.

3.09. Clarence botches good lead up work with poor final ball.

3.10. Good work by Clarence down left. Cross too close to keeper.

3.12. Good cross by Brennan deflected by defender over waiting attackers head and away.

South lead up work great. At their best they are untouchable.

3.14. Brennan hampered by his one-footedness.

3.16. Clarence free kick left 18 out. Behind for corner. Clarence looking dangerous but ball cleared.

3.17. South go to other end. Corner. Maintain pressure.

Hickey shining, especially with the extra space.

3.20. Good attack by Clarence. Hoppitt should have scored. Brilliant save.

3.21. Morton cross. Own goal. South 2-0.

3.25. Weak shot by Brennan. Saved comfortably.

3.26. Good run by cairns. Shot just wide and high.

3.28. Half time. South have a deserved lead of 2-0.

This is some of the best football I've seen this trip. Hickey a general and a bunch of attackers who play with good touch and trust each other. Clarence have looked good in patches and should have scored just before south's second. But with 10 men they will struggle. 4-0 as predicted is on the cards.

3.41. 2nd half underway.

3.43. Good attack by Clarence. Cairns showed his strength and tenacity going through about 4 South players.

3.46. South corner left. Goal Postma. 3-0.

3.48. Clarence attack breaks down. South attack quickly.

3.49. Clarence attack nice cross from right. Man at back post can't control. Saved and Cleared.

3.51. Successive corners to Clarence. Shot behind for goal kick.

3.52. Good play by cairns not read by teammates.

3.53. South counter. Seems like a while since they've attacked.

3.55. Clarence botch another after great lead up work by cairns.

3.57. Attack down right. Cross put behind for South corner.

3.58. Still chasing that elusive goal, Brennan blazes wide.

4.00. Tsakiris working hard for Clarence. Competing well. Clarence shot just over.

4.02. South attack again. Behind for goal kick.

4.03. Nice strike by Brennan. Diving save well held.

4.04. Stevens coming on for Clarence. Replacing Lewis.

4.06. Hickey runs through c defence without changing course. His reputation preceded him. Shoots just wide.

4.07. Nice shot from Cairns. Just covered.

4.08. Pin point ball from hickey releases winger. Cross headed behind for corner. Morton heads over.

4.11. Lovely back heel from Brennan blasted over. But only just.

4.13. Clarence corner. Steven juggle and shot. Blocked.

South having trouble penetrating. Clarence looking more likely. This half pretty even, especially considering Clarence are a man short.

4.21. South free kick, left-hand edge of box 10 out. Brennan balloons over.

4.24. Ref has a word with Tsakiris.

4.25. South looking curiously gun shy in final third.

4.26. Good save by keeper from Max Clarke close in. Puts corner over. Ball in net but called offside.

4.27. Full time. South 3-0.

Glenorchy Knights FC v. Kingborough Lions United FC, KGV, 08/06/12

OK. I've seen three games so far since I've been in Hobart. Twelve goals in total and one of the games was a nil-all draw (which could just as easily been 3-3). Some lovely play and some exciting young players - but defence has been ordinary at best.

Was tossing up which game to go to. I'd love to see Woolley and Wadawu improve their combination and run amok but I think the game at KGV seems like it will be important. It will be a measure of how well the Knights can recover from Saturday's hiding at the hands of New Town. If they can 're-boot' and put in a good peformance they will enter Monday's state final with some confidence.

Kingborough know they can score goals. They also know they can let them in. It's their chance to tighten up their defence against a team that would love to score a few tonight.

Form suggests another high scoring match - maybe a 3-3 draw. But I'd love to see a well-fought close one. Even a 0-0 draw where both teams work hard would be satisfying. Let's go for 2-0 to Knights.

Blogging from around 7pm.

As I said last week, I'll give my impressions but if it's local knowledge and substance you are after check out either or both of these blogs:

Walter Pless's blog & The Back Post (you can vote on which game the BP will cover tonight).

I'll also be keeping an eye on the South Melbourne v. Port Melbourne Mirabella Knockout Cup match tonight. We lost against Port last year and I wouldn't be surprised if it happened again. [Unfortuantely we lost 2-1 again!]

Arrived at 7.10. Colder than last week but now I've acclimatised I'm fine!

Knights leading lions in ressies. 1-0.

Poor shot goes wide.

Lions doing most of the attacking ATM.

Knights defender puts behind for corner.

Lions doing a lot of attacking especially down the right flank. Haven't troubled the keeper yet though.

Left corner for Lions. Headed over.

At last Lions equalise deservedly. 1-1.

Still attacking. Shot blazed over.

Another one over.

Knights break. Corner. Cleared. Full time. 1-1.

Lions will feel a bit stiff. They were all over the knights for just about all that half.

I think I need a better camera. Kingborough warming up.

Mintes silence

8.04. Underway. Knights attacking FFT headquarters.

8.05. Kingborough score. Cooper latches on to through ball. 1-0. This could be messy.

8.08. Good work by Lions on right.

8.09. Lions kick on Hal way. Floated in. Put out behind for corner right.

8.10. Long corner. Headed over.

8.11. Good work by Knights Strang. Undone by poor final ball.

8.13. Good by Strang again. Through ball to down wing. Cross goes behind.

Knights getting some control in midfield.

8.15. Lions counter. Comes to nothing.

8.16. Wasted cross from Knights goes behind.

8.17. Good work down left by Strang. Throw. Leads to smart save.

8.18. Knights free kick. 30 out. Floated in. Cleared. Pumped back and caught by keeper.

After looking the better team lions are now looking a bit frail defensively. A good period for the Knights.

8.22. Lions break. Cross to noone. Cleared. Hard shot wide.

8.24. Lions Cross from right. Headed behind for corner. Corner too long. Knights break.

8.29. How did Strang miss? Great work by Marney delivers perfect cross. All Strang had to do was pop it in from a metre out. Over the bar!

8.31. Lions kick from forty. Keeper catches unmolested.

Knights still pressing.

8.33. Good Knights move breaks down. But then looped shot hits bar!

Knights still pressing. They need to turn this into a goal.

8.36. Lions defender puts behind for right corner. Cleared. Long return shot well wide.

8.38. Lions long ball down right. Crossed in. Offside called.

8.39. Lions long ball straight to keeper. They don't seem able to work the ball forward.

8.40. Kick to Knights by keeper. Out for throw on half way.

8.41. Lions break down right. Good covering tackle. Throw produces shot that slices out for a throw in.

8.44. Good attack by Knights. Calls for a penalty. Waved away. Lions break. Shot way over.

8.46. Knights error gives lions a free shot on goal. Keeper gets down well.

8.49. Agricultural tackle. Chel hurt and stays down. Lions kick just outside the area. Kick returned and rocketed back. Excellent save.


Knights will feel aggrieved not to be ahead at half time. They've dominated the midfield and have had opportunities to score a couple of goals. Despite the blunder, Strang has impressed. Needs another busy attacking midfielder/forward to work with.

Footy from Melbourne on tv in the clubhouse.

9.05. 2nd half underway.

It's all all lions immediately after half time.

9.12. Smart work by Knights keeper cuts out a good cross.

9.14. Knights captain replaced.

9.15. Good Knights attack spoilt by bad choices in front of goal. Nowicki beats tackle and works into area only to give lame pass to wrong player. Man at back post was the obvious choice. At least is was from here in the grandstand!!

9.20. A good midfield tussle now. Lots of effort for little penetration. Though Lions go close from right.

9.21. Another good build up from Knights. Fizzles out.

9.22. Kick to Knights 40 out. High kick saved by keeper who had to recover from a slight misjudgment.

9.24. Kick to Lions floated in. Headed clear.

9.24. Callen griffin taking a significant midfield role. Needs to use his body less than his head. Good player who seems prone to responding physically.

9.25. Latiko on.

9.25. Yellow to lions Cooper. Cooper replaced.

9.27. Knights attack culminates in shot blasted over.

9.28. Knights lose possession after s short corner. Lions break. Offside.

9.29. Knights attack up right. Long throw. Cleared.

9.34. Knights Clay shot from wide right. Just over.

9.35. Selfish play by Lions' Kang going on hid own when easy lay off better option. Goes down under a good challenge.

9.36. Dipping long shot from Lions just over.

Lions turn to dominate possession and field position.

To answer querie. Yes Joel schuth is playing. Two chances according to Walter.

9.41. Good first time shot to Knights' Hey who drags it just wide.

9.43. Nice Knights move. Strang hits post and ball comes back to him. Called offside though.

9.44. Knights kick 40 out. Kicked over!

9.45. Lions shot. Always going wide.

9.47. Patient build by Knights. Comes to nothing.

9.48. Lions corner right, returned to kicker. Cannons into Griffin's arm. Free kick troublesome but cleared.

Lions starting to look like they have this. Though knights still going for it.

9.50. Knights kick. 40 out. Into wall of one and cleared.

9.53. Knights defensive error produces good shot and better save by keeper.

9.54. Full time. Lions 1-0. 

Moon in centre left of picture.

Chris Hey interviewed by Walter Pless. He was happy with his team's effort and was surprisingly positive.

Knights will take a lot out of that game, especially when University were hammered by Olympia. They looked better and more likely to deliver scoring opportuunities than the Lions and they fluffed some pretty clear cut chances. I liked Strang but he goes in and out of the game. If he could fire up for a solid 90 minutes he'd be impressive.

Kingborough had their own chances to score more goals but were kept to one solitary goal by some impressive saves from the Knights' keeper.

I'm glad it didn't turn into a goal frenzy, especially after such an early goal threatened to set the tone. I got my close game.

Though tomorrow I expect the dam to break at Washington Street and Clarence are going to have to be at their best.

Tasmanian Statewide Cups and Rich Heritage

Down to FFT headquarters at KGV at 10.30 for a press conference. Chris Hey (Glenorchy Knights) and Steve Pitchford (New Town Eagles) were there to promote Monday's final of the Lakoseljac Cup. Given that New Town had just hammered the Knights 4-0 the coaches were a bit cagey. Lots of 'all-bets-are-off-it's-a-cup-final', 'different-conditions-on-the-day' rhetoric failing to hide the fact that Glenorchy know they have a job to do and New Town will be uber-confident.

Chris Hey, John Boulos (FFT CEO), and Steve Pitchford face the media scrum

Chris Hey responds to Mercury journo Julius Ross

Steve Pitchford deals with a curly one from Walter Pleass.

The photo doesn't do justice to what I think is an attractive and iconically Tasmanian trophy.

The four games will be played on Monday 11 June at KGV Park. I'll try to blog them all!

10 am - Under 19s Cup, Kingborough Lions v. Clarence United

12.30 pm - Vase Final, Olympia Warriors v. Devenport

3.00 pm - Women's Final, Olympia Warriors v. Clarence United

5.30pm - Lakoseljac Cup, New Town Eagles v. Glenorchy Knights

See Walter Pless's preview here.

With the presser out of the way I took the opportunity have a snoop around and find some great photos from Tasmania's soccer past. Bad angles and poor quality notwithstanding, they speak to Tasmania's rich soccer heritage. Let me know if you want specifics of the photos and I'll try to decipher them for you. If that fails I'll ask Walter Pless.

Corinthians, nd.

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Commonwealth Football Association 1922

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Commonwealth Football Association 1921

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Corinthian Football Club, Tasmanian Premiers 1914

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Tasmanian team that visited Adelaide in 1923. What a stern looking lot!

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Tasmanian team that visited Adelaide in 1923.

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Corinthian Football Club, Tasmanian Premiers 1913

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I think I'll go back and try to find some more.

Kingborough Lions United FC v. Olympia FC Warriors, Lightwood Park, 03/06/12

Walter is picking me up and we will arrive at Lightwood Park around 2.15. If the referees are as consistent as the others this weekend that should give us 20-25 minutes before the game starts!

I haven't seen either of these teams in action before. Nor have I been out to Kingborough. So it's a new experience for me.

Club histories taken from their sites.

Kingborough seems a fairly hybrid club with a number of merged influences whereas Olympia is a Greek-founded club, one of the several continental European teams established in Hobart in the late 1950s/early 1960s.

KLUFC

Kingborough Lions United Soccer Club resulted from the merger in 1998 of the Kingborough United and Caledonian Soccer Clubs (renamed West Hobart Lions after the banning of ethnic based names by Soccer Australia).

Kingborough United was a long standing strength in the southern-based Premier League and was the result of several previous mergers. Caledonian Soccer Club (West Hobart Lions Soccer Club) was one of the longest serving clubs in the Tasmanian State League. The Club initially had a very large component of Scottish players; however, over a number of years Scottish migrants to Tasmania gradually diminished. During its forty years the Club had many temporary homes but had yet to establish permanent facilities. Training was undertaken at West Hobart Oval.

OFC

Hobart Olympia was founded in 1960. Its first season of play was 1961 in Division one where it finished on top of the league thus gaining promotion into the Premier Southern league. The club after its first season had won its first premiership. Little did its supporters know that there were many more to come. In fact by the end of the decade we proved to be the most successful football club in Tasmania given the club had played less than 10 seasons.

Neither team is travelling particularly well, with Kingborough having drawn five of its nine games so far and Olympia with 6 losses. There have been goals aplenty in their games so far as well with a averaged for and against of 18/19. Everything points to a 2-2 draw or a squeaky 3-2 win to Kingborough!

Arrived earlier than expected and made our way into the media box. A lovely long black provided by Kingborough president Brian Dale.

Lightwood Park. It's as if there is a daily competition to provide a more scenic ground.

Kingborough  reserves up 2-0 and seem to be comfortable. Not much time to go now.

All over. Kingborough reserves win 2-0. 

Sweep in the media box: $5 in; winner takes all.

• Julius Kingborough 2-0
• Callan Kingborough 3-1
• Walter Kingborough 3-1
• Ian Kingborough 3-2

Game ready to go. Minute's silence for Olympia player Alan Hall.

2.37. Given the minute's silence the game starts a respectable 7 minutes late. Kingborough attacking clubhouse end.

2.39. Soft goal to Kingborough. Cross from left and popped in at back post by Cowen. 1-0 .

2.41. Equalizer. Wadawu pops it in after a good through ball. 1-1. A goal feast in the offing.

2.44. Shot from Olympia on left. Over.

2.45. Goal. Cowen again. 2-1 to Kingborough.

2.49. Kingborough attack left. Throw in. Player offside.

2.50. Olympia attack. Keeper out bravely. Kingborough attack. Cleared. Return cross from right overdue goal kick.

2.51. Olympia attack looking a bit one-dimensional.

2.53. Kingborough attack. Goes behind for goal kick.

2.54. Kingborough through ball cutout by o cd.

2.55. Olympia attack produces anxiety for Kingborough as keeper comes out uncertainly. Cleared.

2.56. Olympia attack. Throw on right. Cross by Wadawu. Goal! Popped in by Woolley. 2-2 and I'm the only one left in the sweep.

2.59. Olympia free kick on left. Ineffective. Kingborough counter. Keeper saves.

3.01. Kingborough free kick. Keeper takes well.

3.03. Olympia free kick on right. Floated over. Keeper gathers.

3.04. Kingborough counter. Corner on right. Simple header. Goal. 3-2.

3.07. Olympia fluffs one after keeper parries cross from right. Wadawu robs keeper and pops it in. Ref gives foul.

Feels like we're all taking a breath here.

3.12. Screams for Olympia pen. Free kick just outside box. Crossed and headed over

3.14. Woolley beats man on right. Shoots. Saved.

3.15. Olympia cross from left. Free kick to Kingborough. Consensus in media box that Olympia on top.

3.17. Kingborough attack. Weak shot deflected and saved.

3.20. Good shot by woolley on right. Well saved by keeper out for corner. Corner cleared. Powerful return shot wide.

3.22. Good cross by Woolley on right. Headed clear.

3.23. Half time. 3-2.

Olympia finish the half strongly after looking like succumbing early. If the score stays as it is I win the sweep so let's hope that the coaches suggest that defence becomes a priority!

3.39. 2nd half underway. Park the buses boys!

3.41. Olympia corner from left. Cleared. Ball back in too wide. Out for goal kick.

3.43. Good through ball to meredith nice centre to Woolley who fluffs it in front of goal. Strange because he's looked so good all game.

3.44. Ball in net for Kingborough. Offside.

3.45. Olympia attacking free kick on right. Wozza misses right

3.46. Kingborough cross evades striker.

3.47. Kingborough attack down left. Put behind for corner. Weak header easily saved.

3.48. Olympia corner left. Kingborough free kick and cleared.

3.50. Olympia counter. Out for goal kick.

3.52. Dangerous Through ball to w. Out got goal kick.

3.53. Olympia penalty. Fielding brought down. Yellow to Isele 3-3. Begovic the scorer.

Olympia now looking the most likely. (ha!)

3.58. Goal to Kingborough. Fumble by keeper. 4-3.

4.00. Break by Olympia. Attacking throw. Counter by Kingborough.

4.01. Very long kick by o keeper. Wadawu runs on to it. Cuts back in. Crosses. Defender nearly mucks it up. Keeper gathers.

4.05. Woolley beautiful touch sends in nicely weighted cross just out of reach of striker.

4.06. Olympia free kick. Cleared. Olympia counter. Cross from right. Free kick relieves pressure.

4.09. Kingborough cross from left. Just evades striker at back post. Out for goal kick.

4.10. Olympia through ball. fielding too slow to react.

4.10  Olympia nearly. Good save.

4.11. Woolley off for Grillas. Universal inability to comprehend in media box. Woolley their best player.

4.13. Defensive error from Olympia. Nearly costly but cross is wayward.

4.14. Olympia attack. Wadawu scores. Good goal after good pressure. 4-4.

4.16. Olympia corner. Headed away. Kingborough break. Called offside.

4.18. Dipping shot by fielding for Olympia. Saved.

4.18. Kingborough in clear. Keeper saves from Cooper in one one one. Corner.

4.19. Another corner. Punched clear. Olympia break. Wadawu challenge on keeper hard but fair.

4.21. Fabulous play from Olympia. Wadawu cross. Keeper palms header over.

4.22. Corner cleared. Kingborough break. Corner. Cleared out for Kingborough throw.

4.23. Olympia attacking throw. Out for goalkick.

4.25. Kingborough attack on left. Cross saved by keeper.

4.26 All over. 4-4.

A pulsating game in the end. Olympia should have won it. Though kingborough had their opportunies as well.


I enjoyed it but I'm not sure these teams would go well against the South Hobarts and New Towns.

And in the end it's got to be done!

How soccer nearly became Tasmania's main code of football

The first piece below appeared in the Mercury on 15 September 1936. I'm not sure that it's good history but it is fascinating nonetheless. It makes the claim that Tasmania only just adopted Victorian rules football. While soccer had its advocates at that time, it didn't have enough to carry the day. Interestingly, while Victorian rules was adopted in Hobart, they initially clung to the idea of a crossbar a la Rugby, over which the ball had to be kicked. The crossbar stayed until the mid-1880s.

Another slightly cheeky point to make is that because of this history the present day Glenorchy Magpies footy club, who trace their lineage back to New Town FC, actually played soccer before they played Australian rules!

AUSTRALIAN GAME

Introduced in Tasmania By One Vote Only

Few Tasmanians know that the national code of football, now the predominating code of football in Tasmania, was introduced to the State by one vote only. Major W. T. Conder, President of the Australian Amateur Football Council, told members of the Northern Tasmanian Football Association last night that when the late W. H. Cundy came to Tasmania In the1870s, the Australian game was not played In Tasmania. The football played consisted of Soccer, Rugby and a cross between the two games known as the Tasmanian game. In 1879 those in control of football in Tasmania decided by one vote to play what was then known as the Victorian game, and is now the national game. Mr. Cundy died about three years ago.

My sense is that Cundy was misremembering the history, The Mercury of 27 April 1929 also contained a 'fifty years ago' piece from the Mercury" of 28 April, 1879. It told of the City club's initial adoption of soccer (with the addition of the drop kick, something which had been a legal part of soccer in the 1860s).

City Football Club. - The annual general meeting of members of the City Football Club was held on Saturday evening at the Town Hall. Mr. J. R. Betts took the chair. The attendance was good at first, but the proceedings being of a protracted nature, the members dwindled very much towards the finish. The commitee recommended the adoption of a fresh code of playing rules, as the present code entirely prevented the club from meeting any foreign team. The rules of the British Football Association, with the addition of the drop kick, were recommended. The following officers were elected:- Captain, Captain Boddam; vice-captains, Messrs, Molloy and Pitfield; secretary, Mr. A. D. Watchorn; treasurer, Mr. Lindley; committee, Messrs. Lovett, Finlay, and Paul.

Some were clearly unhappy with this decision and Captain Boddam soon found himself out on his ear.  Undaunted, Boddam moved over to the Cricketers FC and influenced its decision to adopt the English Association rules.

The Cricketers played two games under these rules, one an internal practice match and the second against New Town FC (as a part of the Hobart premiership competition) on 7 June 1879. This fact has forced us to alter the received history of soccer in Australia, which has hitherto placed the first game in Sydney in 1880.

But the history books will really need to be updated if the bolded section of the following letter, from James Sprent to the Mercury, 3 July 1926, could be substantiatiated.

SOCCER.-"Referee'' states that Soccer was first started in Tasmania by the late Mr. J. B. B. Honeysett in 1912. Re-started would be more correct, as the game was played regularly in Hobart during 1900, 1901. and 1902. Australian Football in this State beng under a cloud at the time several old Soccer players com- bined to introduce the game, and the chief credit must be given to the Kev. F. Taylor, of Holy Trinity, now of Longford. He had played, for Durham University, and had, I think, captained the team. Rev. H. H. Anderson, of Hutchins School, was another old player: in fact, the first practice was held on his ground. T. F. Hills, of Friends' School, a gigantic centre forward had also played in good company at Home. Three teams wore formed, University, Gunners, and Sandy . Bay, tile two latter being from the volun- teers. Regular matches were played for three years, and if the skill of the new recruits was, not great, we, nevertheless, had a lot of fun. Later the Australian game regained its , popularity, chiefly owing to the efforts of the late W. H. Gill, and the University declared for the old game again. So for a while Soccer was neglected. But if "Referee" cares to do a bit of research work as to the origin of the game in Tasmania I can give him the address of an old friend, who swears that a round-ball game was played regularly on the Domain over 50 years ago.

We can only wonder whether "Referee" ever got around to visiting the "old friend". In all likelihood his stories died with him. But if he's correct soccer was played in Hobart in 1876 or earlier.

New Town Eagles SC v. Glenorchy Knights FC, Clare St, 02/06/12

Game starts at 2.30 and I'll try to get there by 1.00 to start blogging.

Histories

NTESC

The White Eagle Soccer Club idea was conceived in 1960 and the Club was formed in 1961 under the auspices of the Polish Association based in New Town. It was registered in 1962 by the TSA to compete in the Metropolitan League, finishing in second place and winning its Knockout Cup that same year. The side was coached by Jan Zuraszek (he was also Club captain). In 1971 Jan Zuraszek had a perpetual trophy for the "Best & Fairest" senior player named in his honor. He died in a car crash in Melbourne in 1970. 

Interestingly the very first game of soccer contested by clubs in Hobart involved New Town FC. But the Eagles would be stretching things to claim that history. New Town FC became what is known today as Glenorchy Magpies footy club. I wonder how many Magpies supporters know that their club played soccer before they played Australian rules!

GKFC

The Croatia-Hobart Soccer Club was founded in 1956 when a group of young Croatians kicking the ball around on Cadbury's Reserve after work each day decided to form a club. Friendly matches were held againstother clubs until the club was registered and joined the Tasmanian Soccer Association in 1957 in Division Two. Hard work and enthusiasm enabled the club to develop and eventually win the 1959 Division Two premiership. This led to promotion in 1960 to the highest level of competition, being the Southern Premier League, where the club has remained ever since.

Arrived early. Took lots of nice photos of yet another beautiful soccer setting in Hobart, Clare Street before the clouds crept over - and lost the lot due to an iPad malfunction.

Knights Reserves win 7-2 after a close first half.

Are there any non-scenic grounds in Hobart?

Clare street is a cricket oval in summer and so the centre of the field has a wicket square. It didn't seem to affect the play in the reserves game.

Glenorchy Knights reserves celebrate with a song sung to the tune of 'Botany Bay'! Link to PDF

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2.38. Seniors underway 8 minutes late. Eagles running down the hill.

Sustained period of Knights attack.

2.43. Eagles break. Long dipping shot only just over.

Knights looking good early.

Keeper takes cross well under pressure.

2.46. Knights corner well taken by keeper under pressure

2.48. Good swivel and shot by Knights 5. Just wide.

2.50. Eagles attack. Keeper comes out too far. Could have caused problems but shot wide.

Eagles getting into the game now. Some good runs up front.

Game heating up. some good tussles

2.59. Goal to Liam Scott. 1-0. Good left foot shot from outside area. Keeper no chance.

Weather seems to be coming in.

Flat period in game.I tuned out for 5 minutes there.

3.09. Knights attack goes behind for goal kick.

3.10. Eagles attack on left. Good lead up and keeper comes out bravely.

3.11. Knights attacking free kick 30 out. Results in goalkick.

Sustained period of Knights attack.

3.13. Eagles break. Eagles player hurt. Hold up in play.

3.14. Eagles attack. Shot from distance. Saved easily.

3.15. Eagles attack again. Put behind for left corner. Cleared. Ball comes back in. Foul on defender in area.

3.19. Eagles attack. Shot from distance. Wide.

3.20. Knights attack down right. Winger slices behind.

3.21. Repeat. Good cross this time. Put behind for corner. Eagles have trouble clearing. Another corner.

3.22. Keeper clears with punch. Knights forward in bravely.

3.24. Heavy clash in midfield. Knights player stays down.

3.26. Another Knights attack down right. Winger overhits and ball goes behind.

3.27. Half time. Eagles 1-0.

A game that started brightly seems to have gone with the weather. Eagles possibly looking more committed in attack. But Knights forays down right wing suggest they are definitely still in it.

Chris Hey, Knights coach roasting his troops at half time. "You're playing as individuals."

3.45. 2nd half underway.

3.49. Eagles attack down left. Good work but Peters out.

3.50. Knights attack down right. Eagles counter. Weather really affecting game now.

3.51. Eagles cross from left. Cleared.

3.52. Eagles attack down left again.

3.55. Knights attack left. Corner. Beats a number of defenders but forward unable to get enough on it to beat keeper.

3.56. Good shot Knightsno 6. Curls but not enough

3.58. Knights attack left.

3.59. Eagles attack right. Player cuts in. Weak shot.

4.00. Knights counter. Shot over.

4.01. Dodgy penalty to Eagles. Lesczinski. Passes the ball into the net. 2-0.

4.05. Another goal to Eagles. Forward waltzes through uncommitted defence and scores easily. 3-0.

4.07. Attack by Knights. Cross from left goes behind.

4.08. Another Eagles attack. Cuts through defence. Shot just wide.

4.10. Eagles corner from right. Blasted over from left.

Eagles now attacking at will.

4.12. Knights break left. Corner. Shot from 20 deflected and saved by keeper.

4.15. Some good pressure from Eagles again. Corner results. Cross goes behind.

4.19. Free kick to Knights. Pumped long. Shot deflected for corner. Two fisted punch clear. Shot blasted over.

4.20. Knights through ball just overhit.

4.21. Eagles responds. Cross from right goes behind.

4.25. Eagles corner right. Goal as ball hit back to right and slammed in. 4-0.

Shot slammed in from right. 4-0.

4.29. Eagles corner left. Clipped over bar.

Too easy now for eagles.

4.30. Low Eagles cross from right keeper indecisive forced to save. Corner. Keeper punches clear. Long shot only just wide.

4.33. Eagles attack. Knights counter. Throw on right.

4.35. Full time. Eagles 4, knights 0. 

A disappointing contest in the end. The Knights looked good at first but seemed to lose interest at times. Coach Hey was pretty disappointed with the effort, especially in the wake of the cup victory against South. Warned that Uni were only a couple of wins away from putting his team into last place.

Here's Walter Pless's match report.