Hobart United draw level on points with fourth-placed Nelson

Photos (Top to Bottom): The two coaches head for the dressing rooms at half-time; The Hobart United starting XI against Nelson; United's Youl Thon jumps for the ball; Nelson defender Will Stalker clears; United's Ian Walker tidies up at the back; Nelson's Tom Gordon on the attack; Nelson's Cody Flynn congratulates Ryan Mills on his goal; Hobart United prepare to take a free-kick; Nelson's defenders prepare to deal with the free-kick; Ryan Mills in possession in midfield and about to launch a Nelson attack; Nelson's Bill Hanley (right) waits for United's John Otto to tackle; Nelson's Cody Flynn tries to get past John Otto; Nelson's Bill Hanley prepares to shoot; Nelson's Tom Gordon heads the ball in front of United's George Lotiko; Nelson's Tom Gordon leaves an opponent on the ground as he moves into attack; Nelson's captain, Tom Gordon, launches himself into a tackle against United's Chris Hazikimana; Nelson's Tom Gordon finds space in midfield; United's George Lotiko works to get in a shot; United keeper Alex Dand goes for the punch; The ball finds a way past United keeper Alex Dand and team-mate John Otto; United's John Otto in possession as Nelson's Cody Flynn moves in; Nelson's Bill Hanley goes for a run; Nelson's Adam Mills looks for an opening [PlessPix]

Hobart United 4-1 Nelson Eastern Suburbs

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Hobart United remain fifth and Nelson Eastern Suburbs fourth on goal-difference after this encounter at Thompson Oval at Pontville.

Hobart United had all the initial play and they went close to scoring through Akuel Guot, George Lotiko and Jai David.

But, Nelson hit the front with virtually their first attack of the game.

A long clearance by Nelson keeper Tom Clamp in the 13th minute was flicked on for Ryan Mills, who beat Alex Dand with a low shot into the corner of the net.

It took United until the 23rd minute to draw level, Guot heading home Peter Otto’s cross from the right.

Guot gave United a 2-1 advantage at half-time when he netted again in the 42nd minute from a pass by Lotiko, slotting the ball low past the helpless keeper.

Substitute Isaac Gwolo made it 3-1 midway through the second half, but Nelson, with Tom Gordon playing a deep midfield role, still caused the home side problems with long-range shooting.

Ryan Mills, in particular, had several shots from range that were not far off target.

An error by Clamp four minutes from the end killed off the match. Clamp failed to hold Gwolo’s low cross from the right and, when the ball spun from the keeper’s grasp, substitute Niyongabo Omery Zola was on hand to sweep it into the net.

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Hobart United coach, Mark Broadbent, said:

“A very hard-fought game. Both sides were physically strong and I think it came down to just taking your chances.

“If you don’t take them, you don’t score and you don’t win.

“I think we took ours today.”

Nelson Eastern Suburbs coach, Michael Roach, said:

“Too many mistakes, in a nutshell. Too many mistakes.

“Soft goals and pretty disappointing. It could have been a decent performance, but mistake-riddled again.”

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Hobart United: Dand - Thon, J Otto, Walker, Hazikimana - Lotiko, Yemby, David, P Otto (Gwolo 46) - Guot (Omery Zola 74), Letiko (Ngor 80)

Goals: Guot 23, 42, Gwolo 65, Omery Zola 86

Booked: Thon

Nelson Eastern Suburbs: Clamp - Gaskell, Rush, Stockdale (Caulfield 74), Stalker - A Mills, Lencke, Gordon (Hoppitt 80) - Hanley, R Mills, Flynn (Ireland 65)

Goals: R Mills 13

Booked: Hanley, R Mills, Flynn

Att: 50

Ref: B Kopra