The Talon July 1991

"Eagles Still Battle for Chance at League

The White Eagle State League team is still fighting for a chance of retaining their State League title despite currently trailing Hobart Juventus in the points table. The team held out against Launceston Juventus, the other League contender, to stay in second spot, right on the heels of Hobart Juventus. A battling win in difficult conditions against Devonport enabled them to be within a point of Hobart Juventus, who have a game in hand.

Through Michael Driessen with two goals and Andrew Leszczynski with one, the team got away to a surprisingly early lead against the Northern Juventus side. Things quickly turned around mid way through the first half when Juventus was awarded a very dubious penalty. Awarded against Mark Leszczynski for supposedly handling the ball in the area. The penalty was converted, followed quickly by a second goal to the Northern side. With half time still minutes away, Franko Previdi was dismissed from the ground for a retaliatory action. This debatable departure from the ground meant the odds were against the side holding onto their lead. A hard contested second half was a scoreless struggle and Eagles took a well deserved three points from the game.

The following week the State League team put themselves into the quater-finals of the Wrest Point Hotel Casino Statewide Cup, with a 5-1 win over division one side Rapid. The game produced a lot of chances early for the Eagles side but no goals were scored until Richard Leszczynski scored his first of three for the day mid way through the first half. Neil Morrison in his first start for the side since returning from Europe scored the other two goals for Eagles. Unfortunately he was escorted from the ground upon scoring his second and looks likely to miss at least two rounds due to injury.

Other injury problems have set back Eagles chances this year. The injury sustained by Zlatko Belanic- a depressed cheek bone fracture - was a major concern to the club, due to his previous injury record. Being a specialist position, it required a capable replacement.

Alan Wisby in his first year with the club was cast into the role of goal keeping for the State League side. With some help from Zlatko and ongoing experiences, Alan proved to be a goal keeper with much promise. He gained valuable experience from training and playing with the team and hopefully he has learnt much for the future and will continue to contest for selection. Currently Alan is another player struck by injury, having just had a knee operation.

Scott Young also has missed numerous games through a recuring foot injury that he sustained much earlier in the season. Scott hopes to start a senior game again, and to recover his lost match fitness. He had not taken to the match or training ground for over a month, until playing with the reserve side against Metro. Also having trouble with muscle strains are Michael Driessen and more recently David Stoddart.

Mark Leszczynski took over the role as senior team coach in the week prior to the team's game against Launceston Juventus. Peter Irving deciding in the week following their game against Ulverstone, that he did not want to coach the team any more and severed his ties with the club. The decision was mutually accepted by both Peter and the club and it is hoped that it had no effect on the players performance on the field or their ability to take on the task with their new player coach. Mark Leszczynski should be for thanked for taking on the role at such a stage in the team's season. Mark is a reliable coach having taken the players to a previous State League victory and also has a wealth of playing experience.

Richard Leszczynski has been approached by National Soccer League team Adelaide Hellas for trials. Richard already has ten league goals this season and his pace and strikers breeding should give him a good chance with this South Australian club. He plans to spend a week with the club after his game against Devonport.

The White Eagle Division One team made its first League win of the season, against Hobart City at K.G.V. This win was well overdue with the side getting closer and closer to taking its first win as the league progressed. Gilbert Steenhuis the Division One coach has had his side compete in some very close games prior to this victory, and a change of luck for the side gave them a well deserved victory. The side has been continually changing as the year progresses and will probably continue to do so. The team has to cope with being in the background for the Senior side and also as a valuable experience tool for the up and coming under 17s who continually get a chance to play Division One soccer. It is a good sign that the team is strengthening as the year developes. The side won its second league game of the season against Metro 4-1, and a number of young players were in the line-up.

The Division Three team coached by John Large is a competitive side again this year. Although their results are not consistent they continue to achieve some strong victories.

U/17 Team:Report submitted by Adam Jones.

Here we are 11 games into the season, winning 4, drawn 2 and losing 5. As I am writing this report we are placed third behind Juventus and Croatia. The year has been quite eventful so far, on more then 3 occasions we should have got the points with a bit of luck, but that's soccer.

Just reflecting on the year so far, we, at the start of the season went up a division to gain some experience, we did not think we would win any games but we wanted to be competative, but after our first match an 8-2 win over Metro we knew we would play a big part in the competition.

Although at times this year we have been quite eratic, a bit of ear-bashing from Coach Les Ware, we can serve up a battle to most or even all teams.

We owe a lot to Les who told us to have faith in ourselves and in one another and to try our best in all games, "It's not if you win or lose as long as you put in 100 percent, thats what matters to me". These are the word from Coach Ware.

I think if we put as much effort in as we did in the first round we will have the say in who wins the premiership, although the knock out cup seems a little out of reach, I'm sure if Les can get us fired up and we play to our ability we might pull off a miracle.

If this team stays at White Eagle the future looks good to carry on the reign on the premierships that the club has maintained for many years.

Well done boys.

by Adam Jones

WESC U/14 Team:

Well our stand in top spot was short lived when the team went down 2-0 to South Hobart. The loss of our goal keeper Martin Wells who broke his finger playing soccer with his school side was a real blow to the team. We all wished him well for a speedy recovery.

Nathan Robinson our replacement goal keeper played hard throughout this game. It was not until the last five minutes that either side was able to convert. Unfortunately it was South Hobart who then scored a second before full time. Andrew Quaggin, Gerard Davis and Nathan Robinson were the three players who were most noteable.

Our next encounter was against Juventus and it would be a game many would like to forget. It was one of those games where we were lucky not to lose and conversely Juventus unlucky not to take a result. Juventus had most of the play and scoring opportunities but Nathan Robinson tendered his goal well with a solid game from Mathew Murray and support in defence from Adrian Kniaz and Dean Eddington, resulted in a scoreless draw.

The intrastate carnival disrupted the league roster and our game against Phoenix was postponed.

Croatia was just a superior team on the day when we went down 3-0 and had no answer for them. Through constant pressure their forward line broke through our defence on numerous occasions. Darren Daido, Daniel Osuchowski and Adrian Kniaz played well and the rest of the boys all tried hard also.

Our next game was one in which we were facing it all early on. Two quick break away goals by Olympia in the first five minutes, you would think, was enough to upset the concentration of the boys. But as it was the boys took the bit between their teeth and played some great soccer. Our forwards were constantly creating opportunities and using their wings well. Our defence also gave nothing away in a game where the result did not reflect the nature of the game. Well done boys. Steven Bukowiecki, James Poprowski and Domonic Pietrzykowski were three who had noteable performances.

The next game was against Calies and a 1-0 win resulted from awell taken Adrian Kniaz direct free kick. Solid defence by Dean Eddington and Adrian Kniaz with some good wing play by Daniel Osuchowski was shown in this well contested encounter.

The next game the boys were unlucky not to win, but giving away two penalties in this 4-3 loss did not aid their task. Two great goals from Daniel Osuchowski from the wing and one from Adam Ilich from an error by the Kingborough goal keeper were exciting to watch. Darren Daido played a great game as did Dean Eddington and Adrian Kniaz.

Taroona posed a difficult task for the side and they went down 6-1 with the solitary goal by Nathan Robinson. Mathew Murray and Andrew Quaggin tried hard as did the rest of the side.

A great result for the boys after their defeat against Taroona was a 2-0 victory over Howrah. Gerard Davis scored two gems of goals and they whole team showed heart following their previous game. Gerard Davis, Nathan Robinson, Darek Wojick and Adam Ilich all played well.

The team who seem to struggle gaining back to back victories went down 5-2 to South Hobart. They were disappointing in their passing and chasing and this was a game that hopefully will be quickly forgotten. Hopefully the side will return to playing as a team and get back to winning ways. Two goals by Gerard Davis made the scoreline more respectable. Adrian Kniaz and Daniel Osuchowski both played well.

Also we would like to welcome back our goalkeeper Martin Wells returning after six weeks out with a broken finger.

RESULTS:

Under 14:
vs South Hobart 0-2
vs Juventus 0-0
vs Croatia 0-3
vs Olympia 0-3
vs Calies 1-0 A. Kniaz
vs Kingborough 3-4 D. Osuchowski 2, A. Ilich
vs Taroona 1-6 N. Robinson
vs Howrah 2-0 G. Davis 2
vs South Hobart 2-5 G. Davis 2

Under 17:
vs Juventus 3-4 A. Jones, M. Murray, S. Pullen
vs Metro 6-2 D. Bones 2, S. Pullen, A. Jones, J. Marney, A. McMullen
vs Phoenix 0-1
vs Calies 2-3 A. Jones, S. Pullen
vs Juventus 1-7 A. Jones
vs Metro 6-1 Jones 2, FitzGerald, J. Marney, S. Pullen, A. McMullen
Vs Croatia 2-2 A. Jones 2
Vs Phoenix 2-4 C. Holbrook, J. Marney
Vs Calies 3-1 J. Marney 3

Division 3:
vs Uni Grads 1-1 T. Wilkie
vs Nelson United 1-4 M.Proud
vs Phoenix 2-1 G. Steenhuis, S. Sikora
vs South Hobart 1-2 A. Singh
vs University 3-2 A. Singh 2, J. Large
vs Nelson 0-2
vs Taroona 6-0 M. Casey 3, G. Steenhuis 2, Salest
vs Rapid 3-1 T. Wilkie, C. Price, D Singh
vs South Hobart 3-2 M. Casey, G. Steenhuis, T. Wilkie
vs D.O.S.A. 1-0 J. Large
vs Uni Grads 0-3

Division 1:
vs South Hobart 2-3 J. Tattersal 2
vs Calies 2-2 Na.
vs Olympia 1-2 Na.
vs Kingborough 1-1 J. Tattersal
vs Howrah 1-4 G. Hilyard
vs Hobart City 4-1 J. Tattersal 2, A. Leszczynski, N. Morrison
vs Juventus 0-2
vs University 3-4 G. Mason, S. Vernon
vs Taroona 3-4 M. Driessen 2, M. Leszczynski
vs Metro 4-1 G. Mason, D. Stoddart, D. Bones, M. Murray

Cadbury League:
vs Devonport 5-3 R. Leszczynski 2, S. Young, D. Stoddart, C. Pitt
vs Croatia 5-2 R. Leszczynski 2, D. Stoddart 2, S. Young
vs Burnie 3-1 C. Pitt 2, D. Stoddart
vs Calies 1-2 R. Leszczynski
vs Juventus 2-3 J. Joyce, own goal
vs Ulvertone 4-3 D. Stoddart, R. Leszczynski, J. Joyce,C. Pitt
vs Launceston Juventus 3-2 M. Driessen 2, A. Leszczynski
vs Rapid (Statewide Cup) 5-1 R. Leszczynski 3, N. Morrison 2
vs Devonport 2-0 A. Leszczynski, D. Stoddart

The club is proud to acknowledge the support of the Polish Credit Union again this year and thanks go to them for their generous donation this year and in past years.

An attempt is being made to purchase a new playing strip for the club and it has been put forward by Stan Bielawsky. Stan has agreed to sponsor the club by solely providing the new strips. This is a extremely generous donation as the cost of playing equipment is an extensive one. Currently samples are being viewed in order to acquire the new tops, shorts and socks required.

Other donations of $50 by Mr Jan Dora and $40 by Mr Michael Gerlack were gratefully received by the club. Angel's
Butchery has continued to support the club this year providing raffle prizes and support with the catering requirements throughout the season. Thanks go to all those who have supported the club in any way over the years, including patronising club functions or providing services for the club. Especially Tasmanian Carpet Cleaning, Wrest Point Hotel Casino, Derwent First National, Westend Mechanical, Spring Works & Autoelectric this year.

The F.A. Cup fundraising night was one of those functions that was well supported and proved to be very sucessful. Also our 100 club which was won by Henry Wesolowski, was a success including the Friday night of the draw.

It is hoped everyone will support our up and coming major event, the 30th Anniversary Dinner, to be held at the Polish Hall on Saturday the 3rd August. Please book early to aid the catering arrangements for the night. Last years players reunion was a great sucess with all those involved creating a really enjoyable night, but some disappointment was endured by the committee due to the lack of early precise bookings. Please record any ticket requirements and forward them with your payment to the committe as soon as possible.