A strong contingent of Beachside and Hobart United fans attended KGV to see their sides in the Summer Cup final last night. In what was a hotly contested game, two Finn O'Neill goals early in the second half gave Beachside what they needed to run out 3-2 winners and claim the 2019 Summer Cup in a dramatic decider.
Hobart United exploded out of the gates and continually gave Beachside worries in the final third. Solomon Lagu and Abel Berhane showed their ability early and Berhane came close to providing an assist when he flashed a ball across the face of goal just five minutes in but it somehow avoided the feet of his oncoming team mates. It was only minutes later when Hobart United's Riak Dhieu gave the game it's inevitable opener when he pounced on a loose ball following an aerial contest and scored over the advancing Robert Wilson with a classy chipped effort.
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United had Beachside chasing them early on - Solstice Photography[/caption]
Damian Pearce had a number of chances for Beachside in the opening 30 minutes as he, time and time again, got his head on set-piece deliveries. The first came in the 18th minute when his near-post header narrowly missed wide of the post. The second came 10 minutes later as he again got on the end of a corner only to watch his headed effort rise over the bar. Not long after this in the 31st minute Beachside managed to make the most of one of their increasingly frequent chances. Ben Whitehall found himself with time on the left and delivered a great cross to the feet of Alvaro Gonzalez and after a fine first touch followed by a composed, sweeping effort to the left of goalkeeper Alex Dand, Beachside were on level terms.
It didn't take long for Hobart to restore their lead however, as they won themselves a penalty in the 36th minute. Solomon Lagu showed great desire as he refused to give up on what seemed to be a lost cause following a through ball from midfield. He broke between two Beachside defenders and got a touch on the ball before Beachside goalkeeper Robert Wilson struck the leg of Lagu and gave the referee no choice as he pointed to the spot. Riak Dhieu stepped up and saw his initial effort saved by Wilson, but he controlled the rebound and found the net for the second time to give Hobart a 2-1 lead to end the half.
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A Riak brace had Hobart Utd ahead at the half- Solstice Photography[/caption]
Beachside youngster Finn O'Neill was introduced just on the stroke of half time and gave hints as to his potential up front but it was early in the second half that he scored the first of what would be a brace on the night. Beachside again found themselves with a corner and O'Neill rose highest to guide the ball home at the back post. Just two minutes later O'Neill and Gonzalez found themselves two on two advancing at the Hobart centre backs. Gonzalez was clever in his run, drawing both defenders to him at the side of the 18-yard box and made enough space to square the ball to O'Neill who poked the ball past Dand to give Beachside the lead for the first time.
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O'Neill struck twice in quick succession- Solstice Photography[/caption]
Hobart United should have found themselves level in the 70th minute as Dhieu weaved his way to the byline, cutting it back to Berhane 6 yards out. With the goal at his mercy but the ball slightly behind him, he reached back and attempted to sweep a shot to the far post only to hook it over the cross bar as another chance went begging.
The free flowing, attacking game of the opening 70 minutes then made way for what became a stop-start conclusion. As time went on, Hobart United got more and more frustrated and as a result, continually gave away possession in the form of free-kicks. This played into the hands of Beachside as they eventually regained control of the tie and looked happy to see out the game.
The Hobart supporters, who had made their presence known all game, went up in a wave of cheers to see 6 minutes of added time announced by the fourth official. It was all in vain however, as the final 6 minutes came and went to give Beachside relief in the form of the full-time whistle.
Beachside were crowned 2019 Division A Summer Cup Champions and will be looking to take their unbeaten pre-season form into their pursuit for the Veto Southern Championship title this year. Hobart United, unbeaten leading into this final match, will also be looking to challenge for the title when their season commences in Round 1.
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Champions- Solstice Photography[/caption]
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Captain Shae Hickey- Solstice Photography[/caption]
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Ben Whitehall conjured two assists- Solstice Photography[/caption]
United had Beachside chasing them early on - Solstice Photography[/caption]
Damian Pearce had a number of chances for Beachside in the opening 30 minutes as he, time and time again, got his head on set-piece deliveries. The first came in the 18th minute when his near-post header narrowly missed wide of the post. The second came 10 minutes later as he again got on the end of a corner only to watch his headed effort rise over the bar. Not long after this in the 31st minute Beachside managed to make the most of one of their increasingly frequent chances. Ben Whitehall found himself with time on the left and delivered a great cross to the feet of Alvaro Gonzalez and after a fine first touch followed by a composed, sweeping effort to the left of goalkeeper Alex Dand, Beachside were on level terms.
It didn't take long for Hobart to restore their lead however, as they won themselves a penalty in the 36th minute. Solomon Lagu showed great desire as he refused to give up on what seemed to be a lost cause following a through ball from midfield. He broke between two Beachside defenders and got a touch on the ball before Beachside goalkeeper Robert Wilson struck the leg of Lagu and gave the referee no choice as he pointed to the spot. Riak Dhieu stepped up and saw his initial effort saved by Wilson, but he controlled the rebound and found the net for the second time to give Hobart a 2-1 lead to end the half.
[caption id="attachment_10036" align="alignnone" width="533"] A Riak brace had Hobart Utd ahead at the half- Solstice Photography[/caption]
Beachside youngster Finn O'Neill was introduced just on the stroke of half time and gave hints as to his potential up front but it was early in the second half that he scored the first of what would be a brace on the night. Beachside again found themselves with a corner and O'Neill rose highest to guide the ball home at the back post. Just two minutes later O'Neill and Gonzalez found themselves two on two advancing at the Hobart centre backs. Gonzalez was clever in his run, drawing both defenders to him at the side of the 18-yard box and made enough space to square the ball to O'Neill who poked the ball past Dand to give Beachside the lead for the first time.
[caption id="attachment_10032" align="alignnone" width="540"] O'Neill struck twice in quick succession- Solstice Photography[/caption]
Hobart United should have found themselves level in the 70th minute as Dhieu weaved his way to the byline, cutting it back to Berhane 6 yards out. With the goal at his mercy but the ball slightly behind him, he reached back and attempted to sweep a shot to the far post only to hook it over the cross bar as another chance went begging.
The free flowing, attacking game of the opening 70 minutes then made way for what became a stop-start conclusion. As time went on, Hobart United got more and more frustrated and as a result, continually gave away possession in the form of free-kicks. This played into the hands of Beachside as they eventually regained control of the tie and looked happy to see out the game.
The Hobart supporters, who had made their presence known all game, went up in a wave of cheers to see 6 minutes of added time announced by the fourth official. It was all in vain however, as the final 6 minutes came and went to give Beachside relief in the form of the full-time whistle.
Beachside were crowned 2019 Division A Summer Cup Champions and will be looking to take their unbeaten pre-season form into their pursuit for the Veto Southern Championship title this year. Hobart United, unbeaten leading into this final match, will also be looking to challenge for the title when their season commences in Round 1.
[caption id="attachment_10041" align="alignnone" width="615"] Champions- Solstice Photography[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_10045" align="alignnone" width="622"] Captain Shae Hickey- Solstice Photography[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_10046" align="alignnone" width="625"] Ben Whitehall conjured two assists- Solstice Photography[/caption]