Second-placed Glenorchy Knights moved to within 5 points of Forestry Tasmania Southern Premier League leaders Tilford Zebras after winning their top-of-the-table clash 5-3 at KGV Park on Friday night.
And, the Knights have a game in hand, which means the title race is again wide open.
Bottom-side University earned a precious three points with a 2-1 home win over third-last New Town Eagles at Olinda Grove today.
Second-last Hobart Olympic halted their recent dismal run by drawing 2-2 away to fourth-placed Kingborough Lions United at Lightwood Park this afternoon, but they are now just three points ahead of University.
Ben Crosswell gave Zebras the lead against the Knights in the 13th minute, but Knights led 2-1 at the interval after goals by Josh Fielding, from a free-kick in the 25th minute, and a thunderbolt from 30 metres by Tom Sherman in the 41st minute.
Knights increased their lead in the 59th minute when the excellent Jade Clay smashed a stunning strike against a Zebras post and Corey Smith hammered home the rebound.
Brayden Pace pulled a goal back for Zebras in the 65th minute, while the Knights then seemed in a precarious position when they had Smith sent off two minutes later.
But, the side rallied and restored its two-goal buffer seven minutes from the end when Fielding’s pass put Amadu Koroma through to score.
Splendid work on the right by Clay in the 85th minute enabled Koroma to utilise his speed and courage to hit the Knights’ fifth goal, while Pace’s late goal was a mere consolation effort against a courageous counter-attacking Knights outfit that deserved the three points.
University hit the front against Eagles in the 7th minute when goalkeeper-turned striker Rory McCallum headed home former Eagles player Richard Delara’s free-kick from the left.
Adam McKeown equalised in the 51st minute with a side-foot volley from Ben Whitehall’s corner.
A brilliant save by University keeper Hamish Peacock denied Alex Gordon midway through the second half, while minutes later, Peacock got down well to anotehr Gordon effort and turned it wide.
Aaron Hindmarsh should have scored for University when he gained possession on the right only metres from goal, but his shot lacked power and a defender cleared off the line.
Eagles had a penalty appeal turned down near the end when a University defender appeared to handle the ball.
McCallum’s winner 12 minutes from the end was tinged with controversy as the assistant referee’s flag was raised for off-side.
But, the assistant was over-ruled by the referee, much to the consternation of the Eagles players and bench.
Hobart Olympic trailed Kingborough 1-0 at the break and 2-0, both goals coming from Tom McDonald, before goals by Chris Tsimiklis and Youssef Mohamad earned the visitors a point.
Metro increased their lead at the top of the Division One ladder to 4 points after they beat Northern Suburbs DOSA 2-0 away at Queen’s walk today.
After a goalless opening half, one of Metro’s four Scottish imports, midfielder Colin Sweeney, struck twice to earn the three points.
Latest Scottish signing, Steve McClung, who scored four goals against Taroona in a midweek match, was well held by Richard Korn.
DOSA goalkeeper Justin Farrugia had an outstanding match and saved his side on numerous occasions.
Metro beat DOSA 8-0 in the reserves and 5-0 in the under-19s.
In Premier League reserves, New Town Eagles downed University 2-0, both goals coming from Josh Hadfield, while Hobart Olympic also accounted for Kingborough Lions United by the same margin.
In the under-19s, University trounced Eagles 11-0, after leading 5-0 at the interval.
Brady Cronk hit four goals and Hugh Foley grabbed a hat-trick, while Will Abbott, Eli Luttmer, with a penalty, Jamie De Smith and an own-goal completed the tally.
And, in a goal feast at Lightwood Park, visitors Hobart Olympic, who led 4-1 at the break, scraped home 6-5 against Kingborough Lions United.
Simeon Thomas-Wilson, with two goals, Innocent Lotet, Ross Took and Tim Brewer were Kingborough's marksmen.
In the Forestry Tasmania Northern Premier League, Burnie United upset Somerset 3-2 away at Cardigan Street through goals by Sam Phillip-Croule, Will Nichols and Andy Gibson.
Burnie led 3-0 with 15 minutes remaining, but the Sharks bit back with two late goals.
A first-half hat-trick by Chris McKenna set Devonport City on its way to a 4-2 away win over Riverside Olympic.
Sam Hughes pulled a goal back for Riverside before Kieran Mulraney made it 4-1, while Aaron Campbell’s late strike was only a consolation goal for the home side.
Ulverstone scraped home 2-1 at home at the Showgrounds against Launceston City through goals by Callum Foote, in the 35th minute, and Kyle Baldock on the hour after the teams were level at 1-1 at half-time.
In the evening match at the NTCA Ground, league-leaders Northern Rangers downed Prospect Knights 3-0 after leading 1-0 at the breakthrough a Todd Hingston penalty.
Paul Bremner added the second and Rangers grabbed a third near the end.
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