South Hobart strengthened their NPL Tasmania title claims with a 3-2 win over Glenorchy Knights at South Hobart Oval on Sunday.
It was the only game in town and the attendance said it all.
Knights were extremely disappointing. They weren’t in the race in the first half and it was no surprise that they trailed 2-0 at the break.
They lacked penetration up front and were nervous and hesitant in defence.
They were fortunate not to concede more than two goals.
South Hobart’s aggressive approach worked and the speed of young Harrison Oates on the right flank posed endless problems for the visitors.
Oates set up the first goal for Nick Morton on the quarter-hour, while Josh Cauteruccio lost possession 25 metres from goal just before half-time to gift Sam Berezansky the second.
It was effectively game over two minutes after the resumption when Austin Yost, a former Knights player, dipped his shot just under the bar from 20 metres to make it 3-0.
Knights got back into the game with two penalties midway through the second half, calmly converted by their captain, Tyler Harrison, who must have had nerves of steel.
The first came after a foul by Tobias Herweynen, and the second after a handball by Musashi Kokubo.
Knights threate4nded during the last half-hour, but were unable to beat the excellent South keeper, Nick O’Connell.
The statistics generally favoured Knights in the end, but the only worthwhile statistic is the scoreboard and that showed South Hobart 3-2 Glenorchy Knights.
The Knights are going to have to show tremendous improvement now if they are to challenge for the title, but the situation is, in fact, out of their hands.
They’ll also have to show a remarkable transformation if they are to progress in the Australia Cup, where they are away to NWS Spirit in Sydney.
Reigning champions Devonport City are looming as the dark horses after their 2-0 win over Riverside Olympic.
Both goals came in the first half. The first came in the 8th minute when Masi Benjamin lobbed the ball forward and Riku Ichimura beat the advancing goalkeeper, Daniel Nash, to score.
Six minutes before the break, Riverside failed to clear and Nick Lanau-Atkinson sent a left-footed shot through a crowded goalmouth and into the net.
Devonport failed to add to their score in the second half but it was the 3 points that were important.
Riverside’s Gediminas Krusa again showed what a good player he is. Imagine if he played for a stronger club.
Kingborough Lions united beat Launceston City 3-1 away at Prospect to consolidate fourth spot, but they are now only a point adrift of third-placed Knights and could even overhaul them.
Noah Mies and Kobe Kemp each scored within two minutes of each other midway through the first half to make it 2-0 at the break, while Otto Schwarz added a third 5 minutes into the second half.
Akwasi Agyekum notched a consolation goal for the home side 8 minutes before full-time.
Clarence Zebras earned a welcome victory 3- away to bottom-side Launceston United.
The experienced Luke Warrener gave Launceston United a shock lead in the 21st minute, but a Jayden Hey penalty on the half-hour restored the balance.
Two early goals in the second half by Nicholas Wright and Jack Maundrill made it 3-1 for the southerners and that’s how it remained.
NPL Tasmania
Devonport City 2 (Riu Ichimura 8’, Nick Lanau-Atkinson 39’) beat Riverside Olympic 0
Launceston United 1 (Luke Warrener 22’) lost to Clarence Zebras 3 (Jayden Hey 32’ pen, Nicholas Wright 46’, Jack Maundrill 57’)
Launceston City 1 (Akwasi Agyekum 84’) lost to Kingborough Lions United 3 (Kobe Kemp)
South Hobart 3 (Nick Morton 16’, Sam Berezansky 44’, Austin Yost 47’) beat Glenorchy Knights 2 (Tyler Harrison 63’ pen, 72’ pen)
NPL Tasmania Standings (As at 22 June 2024)
|
TEAM |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
Pts |
|
South Hobart |
11 |
8 |
3 |
0 |
31 |
12 |
27 |
|
Devonport City |
11 |
7 |
4 |
0 |
32 |
9 |
25 |
|
Glenorchy Knights |
11 |
6 |
4 |
1 |
41 |
11 |
22 |
|
Kingborough Lions |
11 |
6 |
3 |
2 |
37 |
20 |
21 |
|
Launceston City |
11 |
4 |
2 |
5 |
17 |
17 |
14 |
|
Clarence Zebras |
11 |
3 |
0 |
8 |
19 |
28 |
9 |
|
Riverside Olympic |
11 |
2 |
0 |
9 |
14 |
45 |
6 |
|
Launceston United |
11 |
0 |
0 |
11 |
9 |
58 |
0 |
