Tasman soar to new heights
Captain Paul Ifill gave it a ‘‘maybe’’ but there should be no question, Sunday’s 2-1 win over Eastern Suburbs was Tasman United’s best result yet as the resurgence under new coach Davor Tavich continues.
Though Tavich deserves further praise after masterminding their biggest upset of the Stirling Sports Premiership season, it was Tasman’s star man that provided the match winning touches at Trafalgar Park, snapping the title contender’s fourgame unbeaten run.
‘‘We get great support every week and we haven’t been good enough at home so it’s just good to get another win at home, in front of this crowd,’’ Ifill said after the match.
‘‘We came into the game knowing they are a very decent side, they’ve been top of the table this season, they’re right up there and I’m sure they’ll be in the playoffs, so we knew it’d be tough but we performed well, from the front to the back.’’
After a timid start to the game, Tasman broke the deadlock in the 41st minute when a stray Jordan Vale pass out from the back was intercepted by midfielder Dylan Burns.
Burns, replacing the suspended Robbie Pearson, made a charging run towards goal before unleashing Ifill down the left, the Wellington Phoenix great smashing the ball across the face of goalkeeper Silvio Rodic and into the top right-hand corner to give the home side a 1-0 lead at halftime.
With increasing momentum, Tasman continued to create good goalscoring chances through the brilliance of wingers Tinashe Marowa and Ermal Hajdari.
However, Eastern stormed right back into the game when they were awarded a penalty just 16 minutes into the second half following a handball in the box.
Armin Pasagic stepped up to take the penalty and the talented midfielder made no mistake of the spot kick, knocking the ball to the right of goalkeeper Coey Turipa.
But the chances continued to fall for Tasman and they eventually capitalised again, substitute Matt Tod-Smith setting up his skipper, a precise through ball putting the 37-year-old one-on-one with Rodic, ultimately sealing the win with 14 minutes left.
Although happy to capitalise, Ifill admitted he was offside.
‘‘I felt so far offside but you do the professional thing, tuck it in the back of the net and wait to see if there’s a flag up, but there wasn’t.’’
Ifill hailed Tod-Smith’s cameo off the bench, the 18-year-old making showing enough composure in an important game.
‘‘It was a great ball ... I’m really pleased for him because he’s been knocking on the door all season.’’
Eastern coach Malcolm McPherson thought Ifill’s second goal should not have been awarded, calling the decision ‘‘a little dubious.’’
He said his team will not stew over the result though as they are in the playoff picture with two rounds to go despite the loss.