The Talon April 1996

"WHITE EAGLE SEIZE SUMMER CUP

The White Eagle State League Senior Team came from behind on more than one occasion to take out the 1996 State League Summer Cup. The side although not producing a perfect record in the proceeding five round competition went on to overcome their finals opponent Hobart Juventus 6-4 in normal time.

Winning the Summer Cup is an ideal start for the team but the Cup is a pre-season hit out for the sides and it would be wrong to draw to many conclusions from any of the Summer Cup’s results.

The Club’s State League Reserve team did not have the ideal start to their campaign but like the senior side they had little competitive match practice coming into the series.

In their opening game against Kingborough they went down 2-1 with the Eagle’s lone goal coming from Darren Frost. They lost their second game to eventual semi finalist University through a solitary late goal.

Their last game saw them playing Juventus who like them could not qualify for the finals. The side showed greater strength than Juventus nevertheless, and through goals to Stuart Allen and Ben Carter and a hat-trick for Marcus Proud defeated Juventus 6-0. The 16 team competition was divided into 4 groups and they may have been unlucky to have be drawn in one of the stronger groups.

The Premier League Division One team commendably managed to progress as far as the semi finals from their group. They managed two draws and a victory in the first rounds, and survived a penalty shoot-out quarter final only to lose out in another shoot-out in the semis.

The Premier League side drew 1-1 with Taroona with Eagle’s goal coming from Stephen Louden followed by a scoreless draw with Croatia the following week. They beat Howrah 2-0 with goals from Rodney Bones and Stephen Louden to finish second in Group D. They met DOSA in the quarter finals where Rodney Bones gave them the lead. DOSA equalised however and neither side managed to score in remaining time or in the extra time played. So the result relied on converted penalties from Richard Ketchell, Mark Leszczynski, Michael Driessen, Bill Thanas, and Michael Connolly and Andrew Savage’s work in goals saving two DOSA penalties.

The semi final could have gone the sides way in normal time but this game too was decided on a penalty shoot-out. Eagle’s Nicholas Proud scored first only to have University equalise on the half hour. Michael Fong restored the lead in the second half but Uni again produced the leveller. The penalty shoot-out saw only Richard Ketchell and Damian McMullen convert for Eagle’s, giving Uni the finals berth.

The State League team won their first game against Croatia 4-0 with David Stoddart on the score sheet 4 times. Croatia were however reduced to 10 men early in this game and went on in the competition to chalk up wins against Caledonians and Olympia.

The second game saw an uninspiring draw 1-1 with South Hobart with David Stoddart again the scorer. South Hobart went on to defeat both Croatia and Caledonians. The third game a 3-0 victory, through 2 goals to Richard Leszczynski and one to Neil Morrison, was over a Caledonians side that only managed one win in the competition.

The fourth game was a vital game at that stage in the competition and was a vital 2-1 win over Olympia, with Colin Shepherd and Richard Leszczynski the scorers. The last game was the prelude to the final with Juventus holding out for a 2-1 victory, with David Stoddart the Eagle’s scorer in that game.

Richard Leszczynski produced four goals in the 6-4 finals defeat of Juventus, with Adam Jones contributing with Eagle’s third and Colin Shepherd producing Eagle’s fourth. The side went in after an uninspiring first half that saw Juventus leading 2-0. Two goals on the hour drew the teams level, only to see Juventus take the lead again 3-2. But two minutes later the team equalised once more only to see Juventus take the lead yet again, this time from a converted penalty. Colin Shepherd’s looping header made it 4-4 with a little over 5 minutes to go. Richard Leszczynski converted from an sharp angle to put Eagle’s ahead for the first time and completed his tally with a fourth minutes later.

The Club would like to thank all those who attended the BBQ on Sunday March 10 at Tolosa Reserve. As well as extending thanks to the contributors in the organising and running of the day. The numbers, although not as high as hoped, did provide for a casual and enjoyable day.

Ken’s Corner The 1996 Season will be a single roster system for all junior teams thus allowing for a more competitive structure. White Eagle has four teams the U/13 coached by Bob Osuchowski, U/14 coached by Ken Street, U/15 coached by Michael Murray, U/16 coached by Peter Waters. White Eagle Soccer Club are one of the few clubs that always has a good number of junior teams and with this we have a good pathway to senior level. With Clare St. oval as our home we anticipate good support at all our games by players and parents. To all the junior teams we wish them all the best for season 1996 and beyond. Ken Street - Junior Liaison Officer

President’s Report

Welcome to the start of another league season. This year sees our club enter teams in the top four divisions of soccer in the state. This has been a big task to not only convince Soccer Tasmania that we could do it, but actually come up with around 50 players of a high calibre. I am pleased to say that we will achieve our aim and I am also sure that each team will compete the their highest level. Due to age restrictions in the State League Reserves and the fact that we have such a large number of players there will be times that players are selected for teams other than which they are used to playing. For example, a State League senior player who is going to be on the bench, may be selected to play in the Premier League side as well. There will also always be players dropping down and coming up between divisions due to injury or form. Communication will be the key and the four coaches will need to ensure that they provide players with appropriate information each week on their team selections.

Most of all, good luck to all the teams in their quest for success. But remember, enjoy yourself. That’s what it is all about.

Clare Street

Welcome to the first full season for White Eagle at Clare Street. This year will be one of assessing the future of the venue and whether or not the club should commit its long term future there. Obviously, it has been an extremely unfortunate start to the season, with the ground being closed to training for the last fortnight. Hopefully the weather will be kinder in the future.

There are several issues that need to be considered this year with regard to Clare Street. Firstly, the condition of the ground is of prime concern. Training must not drastically affect the condition of the ground during the year, so your patience and understanding is requested when we have to either cancel training or use the outer areas of the ground.

Secondly, the issue of car parking has been one that we are addressing and need to be active in ensuring there are no major problems with residents around the ground. We are requesting that all players are to park outside the ground. There is parking access most of the way around the block that borders the ground. For those who park on the opposite side of the ground to the change-rooms, access to the ground will be by the gate on Clare Street (down from the flats near the main gate). Other entrances will be locked. Once again, your cooperation will be appreciated regarding this matter. Coaches, managers and those committee members working at the ground are permitted to park inside the ground at the rear of the grassed area.

Thirdly, the club has been able to continue to serve alcohol at the ground, but only in cans or plastic cups and only within the roped off area outside the kiosk. Please obey these rules as they are part of keeping our licence. Under no circumstances may alcohol be brought in from outside.

Finally, we are attempting to get the council to improve some of the facilities. Seating along the top of the bank will be installed as well as some improvements to the lighting. Unfortunately due to the weather these may be slightly delayed.

David Stoddart Jnr.
President"