Weekend summary of matches

Photos (Top to Bottom): South Hobart captain Bart Beecroft holds the league championship trophy; South Hobart's Jonathon Lo and New Town Eagles' Andrew Clark vie for a header; Eagles' Jacob Clamp towers above South's Hugh Ludford; South's Daniel Brown tries to get the ball while under pressure from South's Daniel Brown; South's Daniel Brown clears the ball as Eagles' Jacob Clamp rushes in; Mr Phillips shows Eagles keeper Nathan Pitchford a yellow card; Eagles' Michael Anderson also sees yellow and later red as South's Mizael Linhares Caires looks on; South's Liam Scott (left) in a duel with Eagles' Alex Leszczynski [PlessPix]

Taroona were relegated from the Forestry Tasmania Southern Premier League after just one season in the top flight after they could only draw 1-1 away with third-placed Glenorchy Knights on Friday evening at KGV Park in their final league game of the season.

The draw moved them up a place to second-last and dumped Olympia Warriors to last place, but only for 24 hours.

The pressure was really on Olympia in their final game on Saturday night against second-placed Tilford Zebras, but they managed a 2-2 draw at KGV Park to move level with Taroona on points.

Olympia’s better goal-difference meant they were second-last and safe from relegation, to the great relief of their fans, who turned out in large numbers to watch their final league match against traditional rivals Zebras.

Olympia president George Mamacas was one of the most relieved people in attendance and he could be seen wiping his brow in relief after the final whistle as the Olympia fans streamed on to the pitch to mob their players and as sky rockets whizzed into the night sky and crackers exploded on the ground.

Taroona got off to a good start against Knights when Toby Dove put them ahead in the 33rd minute with a long-range strike that deceived Knights keeper Ben Peter and whizzed into the net.

Brendan Garth then fired against the Taroona woodwork and Josh Fielding nodded Jade Clay’s cross just wide as the Knights searched for an equaliser.

That came from Clay 7 minutes after the break when he battled furiously to retain possession on the right of the penalty area before netting with a low shot inside the far corner that caught keeper Robert Hortle flat-footed.

Both sides had chances before the end, one of the best falling to the Knights’ Matt Nowicki, who pulled his shot at an open goal just wide of the left-hand post.

It ended 1-1, however, and this meant Olympia had to earn at least a point against Zebras the following evening.

Olympia started in determined fashion and Alex Nandan fired them ahead in the 16th minute from Kosta Grillas’s left-wing cross, which eluded two defenders inside the box.

Zebras were level three minutes later when Jayden Welch found space down the left and crossed low to the far post, where Ben Crosswell smashed the ball into the roof of the net from close range.

Olympia goalkeeper Dmitri Nester rescued his side in the 24th minute when Dwayne Walsh broke clear on the right. Nester came off his line quickly to block at the striker’s feet and concede a corner.

Welch let Olympia off the hook on the half-hour when he broke through and had a clear sight of goal but skewed his effort wide.

Five minutes later, Chris Kumpulainen, who had squandered two efforts early in the match, put Olympia 2-1 up when he miskicked, but, in so doing, also fooled Zebras keeper Jason Voss. Kumpulainen managed to get around the keeper and atone for his error by reaching the ball and hammering it home.

Olympia substitute Warren Wadawu, who had replaced Youssef Mohamad after just 25 minutes, was proving a thorn in the Zebras’ side and his skills benefited Olympia greatly throughout the rest of the match.

Ricky Self netted in the 50th minute from Walsh’s low right-wing cross to make it 2-2 and Olympia survived a torrid second half to earn the point that saved them from the drop.

Substitute Nick Meredith almost gave them all three points, but his shot from the left late in the game came back off the woodwork.

League champions South Hobart set a new club record of 29 games without defeat when they beat New Town Eagles 4-1 on Saturday afternoon to finish 19 points ahead of second-placed Zebras.

Tom Roach netted twice and Andy Brennan and Jonathon Lo once each, while Adam McKeown replied for Eagles.

In the remaining match, goals by Joel Schuth, Tom McDonald and Damien Pearce gave Kingborough Lions United a 3-1 win over Clarence United, whose goal came from Luke Huigsloot.

Beachside must wait another week before wrapping up the Division One title after they were held to a 1-1 draw away at Olinda Grove by University.

Bernhard Klasen netted for Beachside and Julian Proud for University.