Taroona stay in touch with Division One leaders Metro

Photos (Top to Bottom): Hobart United's George Letiko (left) and Nelson's Natsuki Futamura; Nelson's Craig Stockdale being pursued by United's Akuel Guot; Nelson's Nick Roberts (right) and United's Ngeeny Deng; Nelson's Andrew Gaskell gets in a cross; Nelson's Joe Vanderslink is tackled by United's Akuel Guot

Taroona moved to within 3 points of Division One leaders Metro with a 4-2 win over second-last Christian United at home at Kelvedon Park today.

Bottom-side Hobart United drew 2-2 with fourth-placed Nelson Eastern Suburbs at home at Pontville today to move to within a point of Christian United.

Taroona led Christian 3-1 at the interval after a flurry of goals in the space of seven minutes late in the first half.

Goals by Jack Elliott in the 31st minute, Hugo Luttmer a minute later, and Cian Carey in the 36th minute put Taroona 3-0 ahead, but Mathew Sly pulled a goal back for Christian in the 37th minute.

Tim Wierenga’s strike in the 61st minute made it one goal the difference, but Duncan Carey made the game safe for the home team by netting their fourth in the 72nd minute.

Hobart United soaked up early pressure from Nelson and then took the lead in the 32nd minute when Akuel Guot converted a pass from Ngeeny Deng.

Nelson hit the woodwork through Natsuki Futamura and also went close through Luke Wallace on a couple of occasions, but trailed by a goal at the break.

Alessandro Bellini made it 2-0 in the 50th minute when the assistant referee adjudged that the ball had crossed the line in a goal-mouth skirmish.

Robert Brooke reduced the arrears when he netted for Nelson in the 66th minute following a corner by Wallace.

With two minutes remaining, Nelson were awarded a free-kick when Ian Walker fouled Craig Stockdale on the edge of the box.

Stockdale took the free-kick quickly and passed to Andrew Gaskell on the right and, when his shot was parried by goalkeeper Nathan Grandin, Wallace followed up to score and make it 2-2.

Fifteen-year-old Oliver Ireland made a promising debut for Nelson as a substitute, coming on in the 65th minute for substitute Cody Flynn, who had replaced Tom Roach after only 12 minutes.