Vuvuzelas at Kelvedon park provide soundtrack to first points in Div 1

Up against the trad rivals Huon Valley, this time at home at the beautiful Kelvedon Park - sans grandstand - whatever happened to all that money we raised at the Quiz night? An early Saturday morning game was a shock to the system but remarkably we got there on time.

The Pirates were at there "Aaaaaaaarrrrrrrrr" swashbuckling best as they ran onto the ground - making more noise than a vuvuzela (I thought at the time). Lifted by the result from last week the team was keen to reverse the last result against the Valley Voltage from those dim dark days of Div 2.

The game got underway and the peace of an early Saturday morning was smashed by a chorus of Vuvuzelas from the seat on the hill. Very funny. I can believe how loud those things are - as I'm sure the local residents would agree. Unlike the World Cup soundtrack the Taroona vuvuzelas were quite restrained and only lasted for the first half - Jack O'Sullivan appeared to be a favourite with the chorus.

The game started with Taroona pushing hard. The the Voltage responded - Joey was at his imposing best. At half time it was nil all. Super Coach Geoff - who is keeping coy about calls from Frank Lowy for the 2014 slot - talked the team into a mood where they were determined to resist the tendency for a quick post half time pounce from the Valley.

Joe Atkinson's goal deserves a paragraph all of it's own. Crossed by the hard working Tom, helped on by others till Aerospace Engineer Joe volleyed it to the back right hand corner of the net. A remarkable goal - which suggests a career launching the Mars shots may be in the offing for Joe - who has scored three similar calculated surgical strikes this year.

From there Taroona held on - wiping out disappointments from previous encounters.

The match was well refereed by the urbane Tim O'Sullivan - who stepped in when FFT failed to provide a referee. They may have a new CEO - but they still cant get it right.

Next week Wellesley Park - which frankly should not be a venue for football of this class.

Kingborough Lions down in penalty shoot out

Well I missed it but it sounds like game of the season so far. The Lions - Division 1 that is - were kept scoreless during the alloted time. Ben Wisby hit the post but the Lions had a few chances too.

Then - this being a championship game - the penalty shoot out.

Up step the conquerors

Joe Atkinson

Ben Wisby

James Cherry

Joey the Imposing; and

Jack O'Sullivan

Taroona put five in, meanwhile Jpoey saved the fourth Kingborough shot.

Taroona on penalties 5-4 and into the semis.

Time to revise the Supercoach's contract

Division 1- white socks and Zebras

A strange disconnected day. Arriving late through misreading the roster, the ref telling the team he will not let them play with white socks - where are the away team black, superb diplomacy by Supercoach, a "feels like" temperature of 5 degrees, a barren windswept pitch beside the Funeral home, a car break-in in broad daylight, a Zebra goal before half time and some superb passing by Taroona in the midfield. Such was the introduction to Division 1. The team's history in Div 2 has been wiped from the internetosphere - thanks FFT. You show the wisdom and wit of those refs FIFA have imposed on the Socceroos. More vuvuzela to you I say.

The second half saw another Zebra goal after Joey the Imposing was clearly knocked off the ball while he had control of it - perhaps we havent read that page yet. A superb goal from Ben "I'm back" Wisby gave the zebras something to ponder for the rematch coming at Kelvedon. And afterwards we had the Ghana match to look forward to!

Next time we'll wear black socks.