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.

Tilford Zebras FC v, South Hobart FC, KGV, 01/06/12

Here I am in Tasmania and it's cold of course. This Tasmanian Southern Premier League fixture begins at 8.00 pm and I'll be blogging live from about 6.30 - hoping to cover something of the reserves game and get some background as well - as long as my fingers don't freeze.

Can you use an iPad while wearing gloves?

A bit of history.

From the TZFC web site

The Juventus Soccer Club was founded in 1956 in conjunction with the forming of the Australian Italian Club. Most of the Italian immigrants that arrived were in their early to mid-twenties. The name was taken from the famous Juventus club in Torino Italy.

The first season provided a new lease of life never seen in Tasmanian Soccer. Large crowds followed Juventus and the chants of “JUVE! JUVE!” could be heard up at South Hobart and later at KGV Grove Road. Rivalries with other ethnic based clubs, Olympia and Croatia,brought estimated crowds of up to 2000.

Here's the SHFC web site.
Surprisingly, Hobart's most 'historic' club - "Playing the World GameSince 1910" - has no 'history' page.

I'm no expert but I know a little. South Hobart has indeed been around since 1910. There is an earlier reference to a South Hobart soccer team in 1902 (but that is just a regionally organised team that played a game against the north of Hobart that might well have been a one-off) and JJ Honeysett organised a game against the SS Zealandia on the South Hobart reserve in 1908. This moment has a claim to being part of South Hobart's history given that Honeysett was so central to the club (and Tasmanian soccer's foundations in general).

South Hobart have played out of their Washington St Ground for most of their history and I'm looking forward to getting to a couple of games there over the next few weeks. Here's a piece I did on their anniversary game 2 years ago.

I hope to be able to talk to South's Andy Brennan tonight because I'm intrigued as to why he hasn't tried his luck in other competitions. What I like about him is his conversion rate. He seems to put more of his chances away than most other strikers I've seen across levels. He'd struggle initially in a competition like the Victorian Premier League (it's just so much more physical than the Southern Premier League) but perseverence would see him succeed at that level, at least.

I'll also be working in with the remarkable Walter Pless, and Callan Paske and Julius Ross from 'The Back Post' while I'm here. I'll give my impressions but if it's knowledge and substance you are after check out either or both of these blogs:

Walter's blog & The Back Post

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Arrived about 6.20 early in the reserves game. As usual I'm taken aback by the size and youth of the players in senior football in Hobart.

They are trying to play well, keeping the ball on the ground. Plenty of effort and fairly end to end stuff without much sense of penetration. Having said that the zebras no 10 missed an easy one-on-one as I arrived.

A tester to see how this thing works under the pretty good floodlighting. The blurriness of the assistant referee speaks less about her acceleration than it does about the qualities of the iPad camera or my ability to use it well.

6.44. Another good opportunity to Zebras headed wide.

6.50. Threatening free kick to Zebras 30 out well struck but easily gathered by keeper.

6.51. Ref blows for half time as South Hobart striker runs on to long ball. Oh well. 0-0

Found myself sitting near the Zebra seniors during the break. Lots of English accents it seemed. A strong scouse accent as well, which I discover later belongs to Chadderton.

7.05. Second half underway. Zebras into attack. I think they are playing the better game.

Goalmouth scramble. Zebra forward looked offside. Should have scored. Ball comes wide an before no. 12 can cross it's called out for a goal kick. Players with a chivalrous refusal to bag the assistant!

7.10. Zebra corner. Headed wide for goal kick.

7.13. Good goal by Zebras. Scorer put through by a lovely flick on from no. 10. 1-0.

7.15. South Hobart long ball nearly effective. Forward collected and hurt momentarily by keeper, after he got the ball.

Lots of 'clever' play by south Hobart. But the final good ball doesn't come.

7.25. Z through ball down left. Keeper can't hold cross. Hits defender's hand and penalty given. Bit stiff I thought. Taker has a fast bowler's run up and slams it home. 2-0 zebras.

7.29. Corner from right. Back post header across goal. Nodded in by no. 10. 3-0. Score s fair indication of play.

Clumsy tackle by South Hobart player about the worst tackle so far. Shows how cleanly the game is being played.

More good combination from South Hobart comes to nothing.

Poor call by assistant. Ball sitting on line called out.

7.39. Another good opportunity to Zebras blasted over from right.

South Hobart no 10 has their first shot since I arrived. Nice looking shot as well but too far out.

7.45 Zebras miss an easy one. Put out for corner.

Game has ended as a contest.

7.56. All over. Zebras 3-0. A bit of a hiding really. Once the Zebras scored there was only going to be one winner.

Sitting with Walter in the stand prior to the game. It's like sitting with a rock star. Everyone knows him and wants to say something to him. Mainly positive!

Even the dog's keen to get Walter's attention.

8.05. Kick off. South running to FFT headquarters end. South Hobart dominating position in the early minutes.

8.07. Zebras break down right.

8.10. Good move by Zebras ends with weak shot by no. 9. Some good play by him in the build up.

8.23. Brain fade by Zebras keeper controlling backpass matched by equally bad effort by Brennan who seemed to forget the point of the game momentarily.

8.15. Gun shy South Hobart. Refusal to shoot followed by ballooning shot from too far out.

Brennan switched to left wing. Marker Kurt Engels follows him.

8.22. Danny Chadderton starting to look to the goods in the middle for Zebras. Takes free kick and slips but it's good and is put behind for corner. Corner produces cracking drive from Muller, just tipped over by South Hobart keeper. Corner cleared.

8.25. Nice work by South Hobart on left.

8.26. Good Long shot from Eaves deflected for corner.

8.28. Long speculator by Walsh for Zebras. Never enough power.

Brennan has shifted back to right. Engels goes with him. To the left!!

Zebras are putting together some good attacks but there's a sense in which the team doesn't have the confidence to back it's strikers' forays.

8.37. Nice little passage from South Hobart spoilt by Duffy who balloons over from distance on right.

8.40. Corner to Zebras after quick break. Chadderton has crack from distance. Deflected for throw in. Cleared.

8.43. South Hobart press again. Keeper comes out well twice.

8.44. Play goes to other end. Weak shot by Walsh easily shot. Another corner to Zebras. Brave keeping punches clear. Follow up shot wide.

Brennan being well Marxed by Engels. Starting to appear frustrated.

Brennan comes over to left and Engels sticks with him.

8.50. Half time 0-0

The Back Post guys at the back of the stand.

9.02. 2nd half begins.

9.04. South pressing.

Teams still in the sheds mentally.

9.09. Brennan fluffs a run in from the left and puts behind for goal kick.

9.10. Brennan beats Engels for about the first time tonight, chasing through ball, cuts in, shoots, keeper fumbles, Hickey rounds keeper and finds a way to hit crossbar. Zebras clear.

9.14. Poor long shot from Chadderton. Wide left.

9.15. Good move by Zebras finishes with strong low drive by Chadderton. Well saved.

9.16. Break by Zebras. Good cut back cross from left. Walsh blazes wide. Should have done better.

Tempo of game lifting. Zebras breaking consistently.

9.18. South Hobart free kick from right 18 out. Good cross from left headed over by Williams.

9.21 Game opening up. There'll be a goal soon.

9.23. Corner to South Hobart blazed over by Williams.

9.24. Soft free kick to South Hobart on right 25 out. Complicated move came to nothing.

9.28. Zebras Brazendale on for Fagg .

Where's that goal then?

9.33. Engels tackles Brennan well. Puts behind for corner. Good corner by Hickey. Williams Fouls.

9.35. Morton through puts it across goal. Williams misses at back post.

9.37. Williams blazes over for South Hobart. All south at the moment. Must score soon.

9.37. Muller off. David on for Zebras.

9.38. South break down left. Good cross. Brennan only gets a glancing header on it. Behind for goal kick.

9.40. Wave after wave of South attacks culminating in feeble shots.

9.41. Eaves long shot. Wide.

9.42. Engels forces Brennan wide again. Out for goal kick.

9.44. Nice work by David on left for Zebras. Crosses in saved easily. Eaves shoots wide

9.46. Good shot by Hickey curling away. Keeper covers well.

9.46. Confusion in Zebras defence. South Hobart puts behind.


We're in injury time. Zebras attack fizzles out. South break. Not enough time


9.47 Full time 0-0.

I thoroughly enjoyed this game. Man of the Match was Kurt Engels who marked Brennan well just about all night.

Kurt Engels, Man of the Match

Even though Brennan could have had a couple, the marking job seemed to work away at his confidence. A couple of times he looked exasperated at Engels' attention. Shae Hickey showed that he is still the player he was when I first saw him play two years ago. Zebras deserved their point and could have had all three - though that would have been stiff on South.

Tomorrow, New Town v. Knights. Can't wait! Just have to work out where Clare St is!

100 years of 'Soccer Football' in Warwick

First published 1 June 2012

It will come as a surprise to many that today marks the 100th anniversary of the first stirrings of organised soccer in Warwick. On Saturday 1 June 1912 a notice appeared in the Warwick Examiner and Weekly Times that a local, Mr. W. G. Smith had “procured a British Association football, and all interested in this game will have an opportunity of having a game by meeting Mr. Smith at Slade Park this afternoon."

It is not known how many turned up to these inauspicious beginnings. It can't have been a massive turnout. Nonetheless, enough enthusiasm was mustered for the Examiner to be able to report on 26 June that a “meeting of those interested in the formation of a Soccer Football Club was held in No. 4 Barnes' buildings, last night. Mr. H. W. Cooke presided, and there was a good attendance. A sub-committee consisting of Messrs. Butcher, Harland, and Cooke, was appointed to go into details, and report to a meeting to be held next Wednesday night. It, was decided to hold a practice on Saturday next, when it is hoped there will be a good roll up of players.”

Barnes and Company Emporium Building, corner of Palmerin & King Streets, site of the
formation of the first 'soccer football club' in Warwick. Top, c 1914, courtesy
John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Above, recent photo by JohnH, Bonzle,com

And that was that. An association had been formed. Interest was sought from around the district and Warwick, Clifton and and a team from the nearby mining-town of Tannymorel began to play soccer against each other.

The earliest recovered press reference to actual play is to a match against Clifton on 28 July in which Warwick hammered Clifton 11-0.

A British Association "soccer" game was played on the reserve, between a Warwick team (under Capt. Willis) and a local team (Capt. Graham). This was the first time this game was Played in Clifton, and it attracted a good attendance, including many ladies. After a well-contested game, Warwick won by 11 to nil. Mr. Hayman was referee. (Brisbane Courier, 29 July)

The Warwick team faced a more difficult challenge against Tannymorel on 19 August. Clearly not a game for the faint-hearted, it resulted in broken bones for two of the combatants.

Playing football in the soccer match (Warwick v Tannymorel) on Saturday a player for Warwick named Cornuaud sustained an injury to his collarbone. A. Milne while playing in the same match for Warwick, fractured the fibula bone in his left leg. The Ambulance Brigade attended both cases.

The Warwick club broadened its horizons to Toowoomba and it is probably something of a perennial boast that Warwick won the first ever clash recorded between the two towns on 8 September by the handsome score of 4-1. Though in all fairness it should be noted that Toowoomba won the return clash a few days later 3-0!

The Warwick Club rounded out the 1912 season with another game against Tannymorel on 28 September, a 1-1 draw.

The next report we get is from the following season. The Brisbane Daily Standard writes on 2 June that a combined Warwick and disctricts team beat Toowoomba 3-2, Joyce, Taylor and Crawford scoring for Warwick. Warwick won 5-0 a few days later. So it seems clear that the result in 1912 was no fluke.

The Examiner on 2 July 1913 indicates that two games had already been played against Tannymorel, both losses. The writer expects that Warwick will be out to make amends on the coming Saturday. Happily, A. Milne seems to have recovered over the summer from his broken leg and takes his place in midfield.

The third “soccer” match between Warwick end Tannymorel will be played in M'Laughlin's paddock on Saturday afternoon. A good game is expected, as Warwick will endeavour to retrieve its lost laurels, having been defeated by Tannymorel twice this season. The Warwick team will comprise: W: Allan, A. Brown, and "A. N. Other"; A. Kennedy, A. Milne, and E. Thorpe; H. Simpson, and A. Absolum, R. Crawford, E. Beerling and Potter. Emergencies: L, M'Intyre, H. Rowe, and J. Gordon. Mr. T. M. Robertson will have charge of the whistle.

The game day Examiner notes that “members of the Warwick team and officials will meet at Stephens' studio, in Grafton-street at 2.30, for the purpose of being photographed as a group.” Maybe the dose of 'stardom' worked because the Warwick boys turned the tables, winning 1-0.

No doubt it was getting repetitive playing the same opponents each time and so a game was arranged against the local Rugby team on 12 July.

This afternoon in McLaughlin's paddock, at 3 o'clock, all players are requested to be in attendance when a team will be selected to take part in what will prove to be a somewhat unique fixture in Warwick football circles. A prominent Rugby team in Warwick has consented to meet the local soccer players at their own game next Saturday afternoon, and, as at least half the team understand the British Association rules, the match should be entertaining as well as interesting.

It's hard to imagine such willingness to co-operate and be flexible in today's competitive sports-business environment but the Rugby boys were happy to meet the challenge – unfortunately no report is available.

Challenges soon came from other clubs and communities in the region

The Warwick Soccer team has been asked by the Walloon and Rosewood Soccer Football team to play them a match in Warwick on Thursday, 28th August. The Warwick team will endeavour to fulfill the fixture, but would prefer that the match should be played on a Saturday. In any case the visitors will have a match in Warwick.

Throughout the season the Warwick team also organised fixtures against the 'Wanderers' and the Ipswich Railway Employees team (unfortunately cancelled).

A post-war soccer team from the Brass Shop at the Railway Workshops, Ipswich, 1924

It rounded out this season with two games against Toowoomba. The first a thrilling 4-4 draw, with Warwick losing the return match 3-0, a number of locals missing because of "business exigencies".

The report on the 4-4 draw (reproduced in full below) is such a remarkable document. For a start it is absurdly long, especially when placed in comparison with any other Examiner soccer report from the period. It also seems to construct the soccer match as an important local event. Clearly some other politics are not far below the surface here. The reference to the reprehensible behaviour of the Rugby team also points to some local political shenanigans. But most intruiging, and important, of all is its suggestion that "Toowoomba was generally regarded as the nursery in Queensland of British Association football".

__________________________________

SOCCER FOOTBALL.

A very interesting and exciting exposition of British Association football was in McLaughlin's paddock on Saturday afternoon last, when teams representing Toowoomba, and Warwick and Tannymorel combined, tried conclusions. The game resulted in a tie—each side scoring four goals. The personnel of the two teams was the same as already published, with the exception that W. Kennedy took the place of Allison in the Toowoomba forwards. A nasty west wind blew during the afternoon, and this, combined with the fact that the sun directly faced into the eyes of the men playing towards the western goal, caused play to be erratic at times. However, on the whole the game was fast, exciting and scientific. His Worship the Mayor (Ald. John Allman) set the ball in motion amid applause and the players then settled dawn to their task.

Toowoomba was the first to show out, and achieved a corner, the kick from which however, proved fruitless. A second time Toowoomba became very dangerous, and a hot shot at goal just missed the post by about a foot. Warwick then livened up, and a swift attempt at goal by Jardine was dexterously thwarted. Shortly afterwards Warwick secured a corner, but the opportunity was not improved. Warwick, however, was keeping the ball too high. Shortly after the Warwick goalie kicked off, but the ball speedily came back, and J. Wilson easily scored. Toowoomba 1, Warwick nil. The visitors then pressed, and J. Wilson again scored with a high dropping shot, the Warwick goalie being obviously at a disadvantage owing to the sun shining in his eyes. Toowoomba 2, Warwick nil. Warwick, however, was not dismayed, and Crawford, who had been playing a very heady game, neatly scored from a corner kick delivered by Potter. Toowoomba 2, Warwick 1. The visitors shortly after notched another goal, the successful player being R. Wilson, though some of the spectators thought there had been offside play. Toowoomba still pressed, and in loose work J. Wilson scored his third goal, the ball just nipping through at the corner post. The score was Toowoomba 4, Warwick 1 at half-time. The visitors had had decidedly the best of the game so far, and if there had only been a modern Joshua among them to command the sun to stand still, no doubt they would have ran out Victorious with a good lead. But as the sun sank in the west the Toowoomba men found themselves even more embarrassed than the local players in the first half. On resuming, Warwick pressed, but the Toowoomba defence was good. The game became very fast, and Steel made a nice, but unsuccessful, shot at goal.

This was followed by a pretty shot by Crawford which, however, missed its objective. Then, from a corner Potter put in a fine kick. The ball came off a Toowoomba player to Joyce, who did the rest. Toowoomba 4, Warwick 2. Even play followed, in which Brown and Hallam showed up well for Warwick. Toowoomba was kept busily defending, but their battle line could not be broken. Warwick was now showing good passing form, while Toowoomba's forward rushes were fine combined efforts. Ultimately Crawford trapped the ball about 20 yards from the goal, and a swift, sure kick brought the score to: Toowoomba 4, Warwick 3. A few minutes later Joyce notched another goal, and made the scores even. From that on to the end the game was hotly contested, and the ball travelled up and down the field at a great pace. Brown, Potter. Joyce, and Crawford all showed forth prominently for Warwick, while of the visitors the pick of the basket were Kennedy, J. Wilson, and Gillogly.

Mr. T. M. Robertson was an efficient referee. During the afternoon the Warwick Town Band played selections.

After the match the members of both teams sat down to a splendid dinner at the Cafe Majestic. Mr. D.J. Hatchings (chairman of Committee of the .Warwick Club) presided and seated on his right was his Worship the Mayor.

After the usual loyal toast the chairman proposed the toast of "The Visitors." He said he could not congratulate either team on victory, but he could congratulate them on a good game, Toowoomba was generally regarded as the nursery in Queensland of British Association football, and the visitors were a fine lot of sportsmanlike players. The game that day had been clean and wholesome, and he hoped the match on Monday would be equally satisfactory in this respect. If the game were always kept clean, fair, and above board, there was no question that it would become the national game of Australia.

The toast was supported by Mr. Archie Milne (Warwick) and Mr. W. Nesbit (Tannymorel), and was responded to bv Mr. Gillogly, the captain of the Toowoomba team.

The toast of "The Referee" was proposed by Mr. R. Crawford and supported by Mr. Smith (Toowoomba). Mr. Collins proposed the toast of "The Mayor."

In reply his Worship complimented the players on the manly game played that afternoon, which was in marked contradistinction to the unfair treatment meted out to the Brisbane visitors of the Rugby match. He trusted they would have another good game on Monday, and that Warwick would prove victorious. In any case he hoped the best team would win. In conclusion his Worship invited the visitors to a run into the country by motor next day, and this kind invitation was largely availed of yesterday. (Examiner 8 September)

_________________________________________

In 1914 the competition resumed. Games were played against Allora and Tannymorel (one of which was a benefit for a Tannymorel player who had lost his sight in a mining accident) and, towards the end of the season, Yangan.

As is the case with so many of the blossoming soccer competitions around rural Australia, driven by migrant workers and schoolteachers, the Great War stepped in to take away many of the young men playing the game. From Toowoomba alone, 140 soccer players went to the front.

In most parts of Australia, including the big cities, soccer became unviable. Warwick was no different. A couple of games involving Warwick were played during the war but these were at a junior or cadet level.

As is the pattern around most of rural Australia, soccer in Warwick waited for the next wave of migration to give it players. The coal mines in the region inevitably brought English and Scottish migrant soccer players to work them.

The game lurched back into action in the mid 20s, with Warwick playing in a healthy competition, with a recorded league table, against Allora, Mt Colliery and Tannymorel for several years. It seems to wane in the early 30s only to be revived once more in the mid 1930s (aided by a strong Stanthorpe influence).

The Courier Mail reported on a particularly optimistic AGM of the Warwick Soccer Association in May 1936.

At the annual meeting of the Warwick Soccer Association the president (Mr. T. Ingrams) expressed pleasure at the progress the code was making in Warwick, and the hope that it would not be long before Allora, Tannymorel, and Mt. Colliery were again in the association. Warwick now possessed a ground second to none on the Downs. The following officers were elected: Patron, Mr. T. Collins; president, Mr. T. Ingrams; vice presidents, Alderman Berthelsen. Messrs. W. Angus. R. Thornton. Carey, A. Dempster. B. Owens, P. Graham. S. Jones, T. Dalgleish: secretary, Mrs. A. Absolum, Jun.; assistant secretary, Mr. J. Bowen; treasurer, Mr. A. Radford; press correspondent, Mr. J. Bowen; coach. Mr. A. Radford; referee, Mr. A. Radford: official referees, Messrs Garlick, Carey, A. Absolum, W. Angus.

This is an enigmatic expression of optimism from a code about to head into a 30-year slumber in the region. Yet it is a commonly held view in the soccer community around Australia at the time. They were not to know that a devastating war was on the horizon, one that would again decimate the game's available players and create a new Australia in which soccer seemed less at home in many towns and regions than ever before.

Soccer revived once more in the Warwick region some time in the 1960s. And as with so many soccer associations around Australia, the people responsible began in a pioneering spirit, probably unaware that they were not the first to bring this game to this place.

Had they known, what difference would it have made?

note. I've added this:

Toowoomba Chronicle, Monday 24 June 1918, page 8
Mr. A. E. Hazell, who is a Scot, played as a professional with the Sheffield Wednesday team in 1890 and subsequently with the Sheffield United. After coming to Australia, he spent a short time in Brisbane before proceeding to Warwick. He left Warwick and came to Toowoomba where he has resided for about the past eight or nine years. During that, time he has figured very prominently in all British Association football work on the Downs as well as in this city, and during the same period he has qualified himself as an excellent referee. He is a member of the Senior Association executive, also the Referees' Association of Toowoomba, which is affiliated to Queensland. At the farewell which was given to him on Friday evening, it was announced that he had been elected a life member of the association.

Some further points (thanks to Garry McKenzie)

• probably born in Cambridge, not Scotland
• record of him playing in Brisbane in 1895 (a strong defender) -- this is now doubtful
• was involved in 'football' in Warwick in 1911
• returned from war in 1919 and was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident (also hurt in a horse accident in 1917)