South Hobart cling to top spot

Photo: (Top) Vitor Sobral of SBS Television at South Hobart preparing a show about Tasmanian soccer to screen on The World Game next Sunday
(Bottom) South Hobart players in a huddle as team-mate Greg Downes receives treatment

South Hobart clung to top spot on the Forestry Tasmania Southern Premier League ladder on goal-difference despite drawing 0-0 with Kingborough Lions United at South Hobart today.

Clarence United are second after beating Tilford Zebras 3-1 at KGV Park today.

And, Glenorchy Knights are third following their 3-0 win over bottom-side University at KGV Park on Friday night.

South Hobart managed 24 scoring shots without success, while Kingborough had just four opportunities, all of which required fine saves by South keeper Sam Kruijver to deny Tom McDonald, twice, Charles White and Marcello Marchioli.

Greg Downes had a fine game in midfield for South, but the youngster was carried off on a stretcher near the end after sustaining a leg injury.

He will undergo precautionary X-rays on Sunday morning to rule out a break.

Downes, David Abbott, Ricky Eaves, and Julius Ross all went close for South, but a determined Lions outfit battled bravely for the draw.

McDonald did get the ball in the net for Kingborough, but the effort was ruled off-side.

A penalty by Luke Cripps and a goal by Ben Hamlett gave Clarence a 2-0 lead at half-time against Zebras, while Cripps finished clinically after a great run down the left by Chris Hunt to make it 3-0.

Jayden Welch pulled a goal back for the Zebras, who missed good openings that fell to Dwayne Walsh and Ben Crosswell.

The Clarence fans gave their former star striker, Dwayne Walsh, a hard time by mocking him every time he had a scoring chance and fluffed it.

University held the Knights to a goalless opening half, but only good goalkeeping by the Knights’ Ben Peter prevented Alexis Bull and Aaron Hindmarsh from scoring.

The Knights hit back through James Hope, Amadu Koroma, and Jade Clay, but good keeping by Rory McCallum and the woodwork kept them at bay.

Corey Smith put the Knights ahead in the 50th minute, clipping a shot just under the bar despite University goalkeeper McCallum getting his fingers to the ball.

Hope made it 2-0 in the 53rd minute following fine work on the left by Koroma and Will Roberts, while Tom Sherman netted the third eight minutes from the end when he headed home Josh Fielding’s cross.

Peter had to stretch to tip a Bull free-kick over the bar near the end, but the Knights had the final chance when Fielding hit the post.

Metro confirmed their status as Division One competition title favourites with a 5-2 win over Beachside at North Chigwell today.

Two goals by Scottish import Ricky Orr and one by Aaron Marney gave the home side a 3-0 lead at the break, while second-half strikes by Scottish import Colin Sweeney and Nathan Brown completed the tally.

Patrick Bigg and Colin Shepherd replied for the visitors.

Taroona easily disposed of DOSA Northern Suburbs 7-0 at home at Kelvedon Park, Marcus Atkinson netting twice and Ben Horgan, Sam Johnson, Hugo Luttmer, Toby Dove and Hamish Macgregor once each.

Nelson Eastern Suburbs downed Christian United 3-2 away at Sherburd Park in a match which saw Nelson miss a penalty and Christian have a player sent off.

Richard Flood, Luke Wallace and Andrew Gaskell netted for Nelson, while Wilson Lumago and Ash Page replied for Christian.

Wallace missed the penalty in the 55th minute, while John Manasseh was dismissed by referee Nino Mele for allegedly spitting at an opponent in the 73rd minute.

In the Reserve League, goals by Simon Burrett, Jai David and Travis Wailes gave South Hobart a 3-0 win over Kingborough Lions United, while two goals by Jayden Welch and one each by Alex Viney, Adam Young and Adrian Venettacci powered Tilford Zebras to a 5-0 win over Clarence United.

Glenorchy Knights beat University 4-1 through two goals by Shane Kent and one each by Jyeren Vienna-Hallam and Nektar Vavoulas, while Charles Cropp replied for University.