I
have often said that one of the reasons football is so popular is because of
its unpredictability.
That
was borne out again this Saturday on the opening day of the 2020 NPL Tasmania season.
Who
would have predicted that Clarence Zebras would beat Olympia Warriors?
Clarence
Zebras won 1-0 at Wentworth Park and it could have been by a greater margin.
The
winning goal came in the 57th minute from Lachie Burt, who might
easily have had a hat-trick on the night.
Burt
should have scored when he dispossessed Olympia goalkeeper Darby Randall, but
his hurried shot went wide. On another occasion,
he fired wide when he might have scored.
Photo: Ryan Cook on the attack for Clarence Zebras against Olympia Warriors [PlessPix]
Olympia
had their chances. One of the Brown
twins clipped the top of the crossbar midway through the first half, while Ben
Hamlett steered a simple header wide.
Clarence
Zebras were well served at the back by Riley Dillon, who led by example. He adopted safety-first strategies and did
not hesitate to clear the ball long if the situation required.
Clarence
Zebras young goalkeeper, Nick O’Connell, redeemed himself after his poor
performance last week in the Lakoseljac Cup.
He was unbeatable against Olympia and saved on the ground and in the air,
including one superb save from Hamlett.
He was brave and reliable and inspired his team-mates with his
performance.
Photo: Olympia skipper Jake Vandermey heads clear against Clarence Zebras [PlessPix]
Olympia
coach, Andrew Brown, had been wisely cautious about his team’s chances before
the game.
His
son, Callum Brown was sent off in the 37th minute after a rash
challenge that earned him a second yellow card.
From then on it was uphill for the Warriors.
The
home side stood firm and took the 3 points from the opening league game.
The
attrition rate was high, though.
Fullback Kane Hatcher was concussed and had to be replaced after
collecting an elbow to the head in a challenge by Olympia centre-forward Jack
Ryan.
Ryan
himself had to be replaced near the end because of what seemed an injury to his
left ankle.
Clarence
Zebras defender Ahn Byungtae was also forced off before the end after a tackle
by Ryan. He had to hop off on one leg
and it was later revealed he had suffered two fractures of the tibia.
Photo: South Hobart's Nick Morton is cautioned by referee Stratos Plomaritis [PlessPix]
Reigning
champions Devonport City had a narrow 1-0 win away to Riverside Olympic. The North-West Coast outfit can thank
goalkeeper Nathan Pitchford, who produced a world-class save to ensure them of
3 points.
Launceston
City, who bundled Devonport out of the Lakoseljac Cup last weekend, were
somewhat of a disappointment as they went down 3-2 away to South Hobart.
Sam
Tooze, one of the most diminutive centre-forwards in the local game, netted
twice for South Hobart against two large burley defenders in Lindsay Millington
and Alex Rossetto. Tooze’s pace and
mobility simply proved too much for City.
Kasper
Hallam had given South Hobart a 1-0 lead at the interval. In the 37th minute, he outpaced
Charlie Dyer on the right and cut inside before beating substitute goalkeeper
Daniel Nash with a low shot from an acute angle. Nash had replaced the injured Lachlan Clark a
mere 4 minutes earlier.
Photo: South Hobart goalkeeper Mark Moncur saves at the feet of Launceston City's Jarrod Linger [PlessPix]
Tooze
gave South Hobart a 3-0 lead with two goals in 3 minutes early in the second
half and the home side appeared to be coasting to victory.
To
the visitors’ credit, they didn’t throw in the towel and goals by Samuel
Ridgard in the 72nd minute and Yasin Mohammadi in the 79th
minute made it 3-2 and everything to play for.
Mohammadi was making his debut and his goal was an unstoppable
half-volley from 16 metres that gave keeper Mark Moncur no chance.
South
Hobart held on for the 3 points and showed that they will be in the title hunt
despite losing most of their team from last year.
In
the remaining game of the round, Kingborough Lions United scored early on against
the visiting Glenorchy Knights through Davis Bryan and a long-range free-kick
by Chris Downes.
Photo: South Hobart's Bradley Lakoseljac gets past Launceston City's Gedimines Krusa [PlessPix]
The
Lions were never headed after that and the score was 2-0 at the end.
Adam
McKeown made his debut for the Lions after signing from Clarence Zebras.
The
Knights’ new signing from Olympia, Joffrey N’Koso, ws unable to be registered
in time for this game. How the Knights
could have used him.
They
can next weekend when they meet Olympia Warriors. N’Koso will be keen to cause damage to his
former side and show them what they have missed out on.
Photo: Launceston City's Lindsay Millington has his hands full stopping South Hobart's Kasper Hallam [PlessPix]
3 comments:
Great to see a 45 year old get a run over a 20 year old first class development at South .
Walter your summary of the Zebras V Olympia shock was spot on , after 15 minutes I could tell there was something in the wind and it was going to be closer than expected as was the case .I must congratulate Clarence for although the lack of big names they stuck together and played with big hearts which proved the difference and they deserved to win by more .As for that kid that was injured Kane Hatcher, there’s a great little story about this lad on football central that most would be inspired by . These are the kids that make the game what it is .
Don't worry about the fact nearly every other player was under 20. What a Muppet.
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