The Big Tests Keep Coming for United
Fresh off claiming a big 3-1 win over the defending Champion Clarence Zebras, the big tests just keep on coming for Launceston United as they travel down to D’Arcy street to take on the red hot South Hobart in Round 2’s marquee matchup in the MyState Bank Women’s Super League.
It shapes as an early clash of contenders as the Summer Cup Champions play host to a United side who will be riding high after last weekend’s strong opening act. It was an impressive first-up display from Launceston United, although it did come at a significant cost with Montana Leonard’s knee injury depriving them of a potent weapon to test South’s defence in this one. There is still plenty of quality throughout the United side however with Ellie La Monte and Annie Reitsma shining last week and they should offer a significant challenge for a South Hobart side who have thus far had all the answers in 2022.
South picked up where they left off in the Summer Cup and were far too strong for Olympia in the season opener and really should have won by a lot more if not for some profligacy in front of goal. They might want to sharpen up in that aspect this weekend as it’s unlikely they are going to get as many prime goal-scoring looks as they did against the Warriors. Still, you’d much rather be creating chances and not taking them than not creating them at all. There is no disputing that they are absolutely flying at the moment, playing some lovely football and bossing games from the midfield. If they can seize control of that area again and get their creative players like Lucy Roberts and Talia White on the ball supplying the dynamic Bonnie Davies, they will pose some major threats to United defence that did a good job curtailing the Clarence Zebras last week. Albeit that was a less threatening front line than usually posed by the Zebras in the absence of Zoe Nichols and Allie Berry.
This shapes up as a massive encounter; it should be a cracking match with plenty of talent out on display and whoever wins will emerge as an early front runner in the title race. Sunday at D’Arcy Street is not to be missed.
Strikers a big chance for 2 wins from 2 as Taroona Open their Campaign.
Whatever Devonport Coach Mal Gorrie said at halftime last Saturday afternoon clearly worked, as The Strikers flicked the switch and produced a blistering opening 10 minutes to start the second half, providing the catalyst for a come from behind 3-2 win over the Kingborough Lions. The opening-round win on the road got them off to the best possible start to season 2022 and they will now head into this game against Taroona with an excellent chance to make it 2 wins from 2 to start the season in a game they will start as comfortable favourites.
Five of their seven wins came at home last year, and once again in 2022 it’s crucial they make the most of their games at Valley Road. Road trips are tougher for them than their rival sides given the distance they need to travel, but that in turn makes the inverse true and makes their home games more advantageous. So maximizing that home ground advantage will go a long way to seeing them improve on their fifth-place finish from last season. With the likes of Bidwell, King and White leading the side, they have proven match-winners in their midst, and they can ensure Valley Road is a tough place for sides to take points away from in 2022.
Taroona will be making their first appearance for season 2022 after sitting out Round 1 with the bye. Their Summer Cup results suggest they are currently sitting a bit behind the top contenders and have some ground to make up on them. That’s probably not too surprising given the inexperience in the squad. They are an extremely youthful playing group who will need time to settle in and develop at this level. The experienced heads of Holly Ayton, and Izzy Ottavi are going to be vital in providing leadership to this young group and helping facilitate that development. The long road trip to Valley Road will provide a tough first-up challenge for them as they look to improve upon last season’s last-place finish. This is a year of building for the Pirates, but they should be capable of taking some points along the way. Doing so here first up could prove a tough assignment however with a few players from their best XI set to miss the trip.
Zebras In Familiar Position Heading into Round 2
The Clarence Zebras find themselves in a similar spot to where they were in the 2021 season. Once again they find themselves heading into Round 2 looking to rebound from an opening round defeat to Launceston United. Last year following that surprise first-up defeat, they wasted no time dusting themselves off and claiming a massive 7-0 win over Taroona in Round 2. From there they never looked back, winning 16 of their next 17 to run away with the league. These two sides met at this venue just a fortnight ago in the Summer Cup, and it was a comfortable 5-0 victory for the Zebras on that day suggesting they will be expected to rebound in a similar fashion this season. Dropping points on the road to a side like Launceston United is far from terminal for the Zebras, but after a couple of sub-par performances, there is no doubt they will want to respond here against their Eastern Shore rivals.
This rivalry that spanned both pre and post-merger for the Zebras was one that defined multiple title races, but it seems like that’s very much in the past this year, with two very different sets of expectations for the two squads. The Warriors are in the midst of a rebuild and will give games to plenty of younger players this year. They held on valiantly against South last week but spent the majority of the game defending deep in their own end and it might be a similar type of operation here against the Zebras. They will be leaning on the likes of Leszczynski and Shelley Cook to help keep the scoring down and frustrate a Zebras side who should comfortably control more of the possession in the game.
MyState Bank Women’s Super League
Round 2
Saturday 26 March
Devonport v Taroona, 12:30pm, Valley Road
Sunday 27 March
South Hobart v Launceston United, 2:00 pm, D’Arcy Street
Olympia Warrior v Clarence Zebras, 2:30 pm, Empire Couriers Park