We're off to Wembley! - Penalty shoot out Mark 2

Last time the Taroona juggernaut went to Prince of Wales Bay the game was a scrappy, aerial rebound match - which was lost 2-3. This time the game was scrappy, aerial rebound match but the result was much sweeter. Master Coach Geoff called for his charges to include more or the key ingredient - mental toughness under pressure. He called on his team to ignore their opponent's pushing and shoving - and to focus on the ball.

The game started promisingly - Taroona attacked and attacked - Geoff had identified the Knight's Goalkeeper's propensity to grasp the ball on the second grab and instructed his charges to be near the fall of the ball. Then the game descended to the scrappy, kick for kick dish we saw last time we were there. In the shadows of half time the Knights snuck behind the Taroona wall to go one up.

Master Coach Geoff plotted revenge and not long into the second half Mat Etherington headed the equaliser. This being the Knock Out Cup semi final a penalty shoot-out loomed.

When the whistle blew it was one-all. On the last visit the refereeing was nothing to write home about. This time the refereeing was spot on - even a yellow card was shown to a Knight who would have been free kicked on the MCG for his well executed push in the back.

Here the planning from Master Coach Geoff to concentrate today on mental toughness was rewarded. Taroona had the first penalty. It was like a scene from one of those sporting movies - the crowd was silent, the picture became black and white and the motion was slow. The aerospace engineer Joe Atkinson struck - but his parry was defended by the Knight's keeper. Joe considered his calculations and saw no reason why he hadn't scored. But the Ref did - he saw the keeper move before the kick was taken. He called for the penalty to be taken again and after some quick recalculations in it went.

Joey is known to this column as Joey the Imposing - crouching legs and arms astride he makes a formidable stopper. The first Glenorchy kick went high - and Joey had defended without needing to touch the ball. Up stepped James the artist Cherry - it hadnt been a great day. Forgetting his shorts led to some wardrobe machinations on the sideline as the Taroona boys shared those available. When he was brought on mid way through the first half, still ill from the day before, he added some strength to the mid field - weakened though he was. At the penalty spot James struck but missed his mark. The next Glenorchy shot went wide of the goal. Joey the Imposing then imposed himself even more notably on the result by putting the next Taroona shot in. Then he stopped a rocket from Glenorchy. All the pressure then fell on Liam Own Boots O'Donovan - he calmly put the next in and it was all over. Taroona won the shoot out, the semi final and the honours.

The Cup final is scheduled for August 29 - the day after the last roster match. The opponent - South Hobart - who again put 6 goals in yesterday in the other semi.

What will Master Coach Geoff pull from the larder this time?

Taroona get 3 more points, Julia calls election

In a curious interplay of politics and the personal, just after half time at Gormley (is there a worse name) Park, Julia announced that we will go to the polls on August 21 - a great relief to many attending a function on August 28, with an essay due on August 27 etc.

Similarly there was great relief that Joey the Imposing plays for Taroona. Another blinder. Time after time Joey was in the right spot - judging his runs and his leaps to perfection when the wall that is the Etheringtons, James Cherry, Joe Haddin and others was punctured. Solid defence was called for and solid defence was delivered.

At half time Supercoach Geoff Atkinson ignored the politcal uncertainty and held his nerve - urging his team on.

Taroona went to half time 1 up after a cross to Joe Atkinson, from Ben Wisbey was intercepted by the Kingborough goalie who in an English team like second, dropped the ball and retrieved it from inside the net. A classic lob from Ben - playing the team game - became the winner if Taroona could hang on.

The second half saw the Lions practice their passing and their shooting. Joey was having none of it though.

Supercoach Geoff has moved this team forward - from Division 3 under 14s to Division 1 under 16s, Super PM Julia is now moving her team forward.

Make a mistake and have your name broadcast!

Returning to Kelvedon for the first Div 1 game against Glenorchy Knights yesterday. Without a Vuvuzela soundtrack the Taroona boys were solid in defence from the start - welcoming back Mat Etherington after a week out. Joey put all that practice from last week to great use - but nowhere near as often as at the Wellesley earth station.

Glenorchy had their own special negative comments broadcaster - who helpfully named all those who made a mistake soon after they committed their error - presaging a week of torture coming up. This made all the difference to his team - not only did they make a blue but they felt bad too! Mitchell probably didnt mean to give the ball away!

It soon became clear that the knights were not all that impressed with the Taroona responses to their jousting.

In the Taroona box Coach Geoff Atkinson (who provides a complete contrast to his opposite number) maximised his side's effectiveness by cleverly throwing his charges on at crucial points - his use of Aaron was particularly effective. On the other line sidelined Liam ran the line - back next week I understand.

So another point to the Taroona boys - a solid result.

Next week to Gormley park where the Kingborough boys are plotting their revenge for their penalty shoot out disappointment.

Six goals in ten minutes, nil all for the rest of the game

Taroona was involved in a clash of cultures yesterday. Boys who were out to have fun and enjoy a game came up against boys who must win.

South Hobart are apparently coached by the Premier League men's coach Ken Morton - of the Morton academy fame. They train three nights a week. They are very skillful. They are very dedicated. Having said all this it was great to see the half time result - nil-all. Joey the Imposing played a blinder in the first half as the Taroona defence struggled manfully to deal with the professionalism of the South Hobart team. Joseph Haddin put in his best game for the year - consistently stopping his opponent and more often than not winning the ball from him. The talk at half time was of the possibility of the scoreline being preserved and how to respond if South scored.

The second half started much the same as the first - grim, but often brilliant defence. Then the South Hobart machine slipped in their first. Then second, third, fourth and then the softest penalty awarded this year - including in the World Cup. Will Hunt was the closest when the number 8 for South went down - the whistle blew and in went the fifth. One more saw the end of the horror period and there was still 15 minuted to go. Taroona again held on - apart from that ten minute period it was a nil-all result.

One first for this round was playing on a ground so wide the curvature of the earth came into play. Add that to undulations and you have Wellesley Park.

Credit must go to Supercoach Geoff Atkinson - his team enjoys life, the odd game of soccer and all that goes with being 16.