West Hobart girls overwhelm Collegiate

In this edition: match news and a new photo feature
West Hobart beat Collegiate 8-nil at Anglesea Street today despite their plucky goal-keeping and spirited opposition throughout the match. Freda scored one of the goals after overcoming recent illness. And - Tim's promised to send match reports for the last TWO weeks...yeah, yeah.

New feature: I've wondered about the best way to display photos on this site as there's really only space for three or four at a time. Perhaps the answer is a slide show? (The picture below shows how it looks). I hope you enjoy these 16 photos from today's game - click on the link to begin.

View slide show

Mighty 3-1 victory against Fahan

West Hobart (3) defeated Fahan (1)
Saturday 21 July Hobart College
Notes by Paul Tabart

Leaving home in the morning fog and mist, thoughts turned to whether or not we would be able to see the other side of the field. However, at Hobart College it turned out that we were playing above the clouds bathed in sunshine and warmth (at least compared to what it was like in the valley below!)

The game started with the coach reclining after a recent knee operation and only 11 players to take the field. It was decided that the teams would play 10 a side, leaving one for substituting. Maybe we only had 9 and a half with Charlotte’s injured foot slowing her down considerably.

The girls started well with our defenders running hard to make interceptions and pass the ball to the running mid-fielders. Holly and Audrey were very solid and Kira was tireless in running back to help and dribble the ball forward to our waiting forwards.

A number of forward thrusts were stopped by some excellent Fahan goal keeping but it wasn’t long before Charlotte found herself in space and was able to post the first goal on the board for us. She was ably assisted up forward by Tessa who seemed to have the ball on a string and would not let any Fahan defender take it off her.

The second half started with more attacks on the Fahan goal. A number of superb crossing shots went completely through all the Fahan defenders and across the goal mouth. Unfortunately none of our attackers was able to connect. Opportunities to Megan, Jessica, Susannah and Phoebe all missed or ricocheted off defenders.

Persistence paid off however with Susanna collecting a pass at the top of the penalty box and slotting through a wonderful goal. The ball sailed through at head height and the goalie was unable to get anywhere near it, just showing how important a strong kick is when shooting for goal.

It was now Fahan’s turn to attack and their best player was able to make a number of driving runs into our back line. Good saves by Tessa, and covering defence by Holly and Audrey and Phoebe in particular, ensured that we stayed on top. However, Fahan was able to swoop on a goal kick that was directed across goal late in the game, then dribble forward and kick one past Tessa. The score was now 2 -1.

With only about 2 minutes to play, Kira passed the ball forward to Susanna who then directed a fantastic pass to Charlotte who had hobbled forward to be just outside the box. After stepping around one defender, Charlotte wound up and kicked a perfect goal from long range. The final score was 3 -1, a testament to the running and passing game that West Hobart is perfecting. Well done to all the girls who had to run and run and run all day.

Scorers: Charlotte 2 Susannah 1

Training as usual this Friday - 20 July

Hi all,
Peter Cox pointed out Friday is a pupil-free day for Lansdowne Crescent and Mount Stuart Primary and wondered if training would be on. Goulburn St will be at school as usual, so barring bad weather or ground closure, it will be on at the same time as always.

However, I won’t be there as I’m having a bit of cartilage in my knee removed on Thursday and I’ll be hobbling around a bit for a while. Paul will be taking training. Hopefully, I’ll be mobile enough to sit on the sidelines on Saturday. Cheers, Tim

Bastille Day Victory to West Hobart (trois-nil)

By Paul Tabart
On a snow-swept Hobart morning, concerned parents and anxious players scanned the heavens and wondered if the game was on or not. No mention on the radio; no frantic phone calls; it's time to don the thermals and make tracks to the Hobart College ground.


With numbers down, the game started with 10 players each. Both teams were cold and the start was slow with many players trying to warm up. A number of good runs by Princes Street players put lots of pressure on our defenders. However with Jessica, Holly and Annie they found these attacks rebounded.

The game was very free flowing with all our players having to run hard to make position and to help defend. Charlotte was magnificent in goals, making two incredible saves by catching the ball. She was then able to turn defence into attack with her booming kick outs.


One booming Charlotte kick was met by Susanna in the middle of the ground, she then moved the ball forward to where Tessa was lurking. After some deft dribbling Tessa found herself in space with only the goalie in front of her! A good hard kick brought up our first goal.

The second half started with Susanna in goals and Charlotte, Tessa and Annie attacking up forward. The tempo of the second half was frantic. Phoebe was fantastic in deep defence, reading the play and covering to help out Megan, Audrey and Holly who were stopping many attacks from Princes Street.

The mid-fielders were tenacious all day. Kira, Audrey, Lily and Jessica were able to move the ball forward to Tessa who seemed to have the ball on a string. Again Tessa found her way through the opposition and slotted through another great goal.



The game picked up another level of intensity with Princes Street attacking relentlessly, putting lots of pressure on our defenders. Jessica was very committed, arresting a strong kick with her body which caused a lot of pain but it stopped the dangerous attack.

Rebounding through big kicks from Susanna, the team was able to move the ball forward with great passing to Charlotte who was able to dribble into space and launch a strong kick at goal from 10 metres out to send in our third goal.

All the girls should be congratulated for the fantastic effort. With only one sub, all the girls had to run hard all game and the passing and help given to each player was superb. A great spectacle for all the onlookers.

Final score: 3-0
Goals: Tessa (2) Charlotte (1)

Venue change tomorrow - 7th July

Tomorrow's game has been moved from Waimea Heights to Hobart College at Mt Nelson (the one that was foggy AND icy a few weeks ago). It's still at 12 noon. The council's had to reschedule lots of sport because the grounds are too soggy. Tim will see you there tomorrow!