Talent-packed Zebras down Lions

Photo:  Zebras keeper Nathan Reid climbs for a corner [PlessPix]

(Challenge League, KGV Park, Friday, 7 June 2019)

Hobart Zebras 4 (McKeown 2, Smith 37, Rose 39, Ackerley 60)

Kingborough Lions United 1 (Ash-Williams 81)

HT:  3-0   Att:  50   Ref:  A Cooke

Hobart Zebras:  Reid;  Ackerley, Charuza, Clark, Fagg, Huigsloot, Jones, McKeown, Plunkett-Smith, Rose, Walsh  (Interchange:  Bloomfield, Ditton, Fraser, Smith, Watson)

Kingborough Lions United:  Hayers;  Davis, Easton, Ellis, McDonald, Muir, Nugent, Shreeve, Silva, Vivarelli, Zammit  (Interchange:  Ash-Williams, Hoddy, Turner, Winter)

Photo:  Zebras' James Ackerley gets past Kingborough defender Jackson Nugent [PlessPix]

Hobart Zebras had seven of their NPL Tasmania senior squad on view in this match and it was no surprise that they overran Kingborough Lions United 4-1.

Adam McKeown gave Zebras the lead after just 2 minutes with a close-range effort.

Mulugeta Smith made it 2-0 in the 37^th minute, but Zebras had come close to increasing their lead earlier than that when Dwayne Walsh hit the woodwork and McKeown had an effort cleared off the line.

Kingborough worked the wings quite well, but they didn’t really test keeper Nathan Reid.

Photo:  Kingborough's Damiel Silva and Jackson Nugent try to stop Zebras' Dwayne Walsh [PlessPix]

A superb strike from range on the left by Jack Rose in the 39^th minute made it 3-0 at the interval.

James Ackerley added Zebras’ fourth on the hour as Zebras strove for more goals and hit the woodwork twice.

Kingborough netted a consolation goal 9 minutes from the end through Sam Ash-Williams.

Photo:  Zebras' Luke Huigsloot tackles Kingborough's Callum Ellis [PlessPix] 

Photo:  Zebras' Deans Bloomfield goes for a tumble after being tackled [PlessPix]

Photo:  Zebras' Adam McKeown tees up a shot as Kingborough's Nick Zammit tries to cover [PlessPix]