Tasmanian Supa Liga - Round 3

Round 3 of the Tasmanian Supa Liga saw some big results in what was the first ever leg held in Launceston. The North of the state were given a great first up match between the Tasmanian Islanders Southern Youth team and the Newstead Blues. The Newstead side who were missing suspended playmakers Simon Napier and Michael Grey showed an amazing turn around of form on home turf to give the previously impressive Southern Youth side a very tough game. Newstead took an early 3-1 lead in the game at half time through great leadership and finishing by star player Greg Duffy but it was not long until the impressive young Southern Youth side hit their straps with a resurgent start to the second half led by chargers Matt Chapman and Trent Pearce. The game went right down to the wire and with a late flurry the youth team found themselves ahead 4-3 in the dying minutes before a goalkeeping error by the usually exceptional Ricky Chew gifted the Newstead side an equaliser. Drama was not done yet and in the final seconds of the game the Youth team were awarded a penalty after a foul in the box on attacker Jamie Vernon. With the game in his hands Captain Trent Pearce’s penalty was saved by an exceptional block by Blues keeper Tim Adams to end the game at 4-4. Goalscorers were M.Chapman 3 and J.Vernon 1 for the Youth Team and for the Blues it was G.Duffy with all 4.

Tassal Stripes made it two wins from two games with an impressive 13-5 victory over the Tasmanain Islanders Northern Youth team. The Stripes controlled the game from start to finish and solid finishing gave them all three points once again to lift them up the table into second position. Goals for the stripes were scored by Jason Dawes 4, Jon Foley-Donaghue 3, Huw Jarvis 2, Gavin Wailes 2, Fred Assenheimer 1, Seth Van Heyster 1 and for the Northern Youth goals came from Jordan Wright 2, Matt Smith 1, Michael Townsend 1 and an own goal.

Sandy Bay Storm resisted a late second half charge against fellow southern team Hobart Utd this week with a less than comfortable 11-7 victory. After strolling in the first half the Storm were a little too relaxed and let United in with a late flurry but held off in the end to secure the win and continue as undefeated. Competition leading scorer Corey Smith netted 5 goals with Jacob Gordon netting 3, Igor Sao Jose 1, Callan Griffin 1 and an own goal while for United Peter Otto scored 2, Peter Songa 2, Andrew Otto 1, Stefan Kowalik 1 and an own goal.

Next week sees the top side Sandy Bay Storm come up against the tournament dark horse in Northern Fusion and many are tipping an upset by the Fusion who are returning to battle after a week off against the Storm who will be missing competition top scorer Corey Smith and possibly star import Igor Sao Jose this week. The competition is a split round with this game at Moonah Sports Centre at 6pm.

Northern Youth will look to shake off their poor start when they come up against fellow strugglers Newstead Blues although the Blues will be stiff competition coming off the back of an impressive display in round
3 while the final game of round 4 will see a blockbuster game at 7pm at Moonah between the undefeated Tassal Stripes and Tasmanian Islanders Southern Youth side. The youth team will look to upset the high flying stripes and peg back second spot on the table while dependant on other results the stripes could threaten the Storm strangehold on first place.

Ladder - Sandy Bay Storm 9, Tassal Stripes 6, Tas. Islanders Southern Youth 4, Northern Fusion 3, Newstead Blues 1, Hobart Utd 0, Tas.
Islanders Northern Youth 0

Goalscorers - C.Smith (Storm) 10, K.Grillas (Storm) 9, J.Dawes (Stripes) 5, J.Fielding (Storm) 5

Source : Tas Futsal
Published : 14/11/2008