Sunday, July 26, 2020

South Hobart pay price for win and top spot on ladder

Photo:  Mr Piesse shows South Hobart's Andy Brennan (No.11) a second yellow card [PlessPix]

A goal by Kasper Hallam 4 minutes into stoppage time at the end of the first half gave South Hobart a 1-0 win over Clarence Zebras at Wentworth Park today.

An initial shot from Sam Berezansky was blocked, but Hallam followed up to net from the rebound.

It was South Hobart’s second win from two outings in the NPL Tasmania season, but it came at quite a cost.

New signing Andy Brennan, the former Newcastle Jets A-League player, was sent off near the end on what was his debut.

Brennan had replaced the injured Kobe Kemp just before the interval and was shown a yellow card for entering the field of play without permission.

Late in the match, he fouled Clarence Zebras captain Jayden Hey and Mr Piesse issued a second yellow card, which meant a red.

Photo:  Kobe Kemp appears to be in some pain as he receives treatment.  Reserve goalkeeper Nathan Reid (foreground) played for the Championship side after the NPL game and was taken to hospital to be checked out for concussion after being struck in the head. [PlessPix]

Kemp had been injured in a tackle with Luke Huigsloot and suffered a shin injury.  He went to hospital during the second half to assess the damage.

Clarence Zebras did not go unscathed.  Defender Noah Smithies-Sharples also suffered a leg injury and left the field on crutches.

Clarence Zebras withstood some early pressure from the visitors but in the 5th minute they were denied an opening goal when South keeper Mark Moncur produced a good save to deny Ryan Cook.

In the 10th minute, Berezansky sent a long-range shot just over the Clarence Zebras crossbar.

Photo:  The drone over Wentworth Park which caused a delay in the game [PlessPix]

The game was halted by the referee for a few minutes midway through the half when a drone was seen hovering over the pitch.  A public address system announcement warned that the game would not continue if the drone did not depart the scene.  The operator, whoever and wherever they were, must have heard this as the drone flew off and the game resumed.

Five minutes before the interval, Moncur again came to South Hobart’s rescue when he dived to save a close-range effort from Lachie Burt.

Clarence Zebras squandered a great opportunity to equalise 4 minutes after the resumption when Matthew Pace rounded Moncur, but his rushed shot flew wide of an empty net.

Photo:  Clarence Zebras' Kane Hatcher wins a header against South Hobart's Kasper Hallam [PlessPix]

The two sides traded blows from then on in what was a tough, physical match, but neither could score.

Clarence Zebras coach David Smith was also shown a yellow card for dissent.

AT KGV Park, Olympia Warriors suffered their second defeat of the league season when they succumbed 3-1 to Glenorchy Knights.

Tom Young fired the Knights into the lead in the 10th minute and Olympia threw away the perfect opportunity to draw level when Ben Hamlett had a penalty saved by Knights keeper Lachie Hart.

Photo:  Knights' Jack Bowman lies injured after falling heavily [PlessPix]

Two minutes into injury time at the end of the first half, Alex Walter made it 2-0 after running on to a pass from Alex Bellini.

Olympia threatened in the opening stages of the second half, but stout defending and excellent goalkeeping by Lachlan Hart kept the visitors at bay.

A terrible error by Olympia goalkeeper Elliot Hoysted in the 63rd minute made it 3-0.  Hoysted appeared to have Joffrey N’Koso’s shot covered, but allowed the ball to slip under his body and into the net.  Moments earlier, Hoysted had produced a brilliant diving save from N’Koso, the former Olympia striker, who was making his debut for Knights.

Substitute Jack Ryan, pulled a goal back for Olympia in the 87th minute with a powerful header from Adam Gorrie’s right-wing cross, but that’s as close as the Warriors got.

Photo:  Bowman was allowed to play on after being checked for concussion and soon resumed his no-nonsense tackling [PlessPix]

Hoysted had replaced Darby Randall in goal for Olympia in this match, while Ryan was a surprising inclusion on the bench after he suffered an ankle injury last week in the 1-0 loss to Clarence Zebras.

At Lightwood Park, Kingborough Lions United drew 3-3 with Riverside Olympic.

The Lions had Davis Bryan sent off after 77 minutes with the score at 2-2.

Jack Gates, back from Queensland, put the Lions ahead after 8 minutes, but Nils Sanz equalised in the 25th minute.

Fletcher Fulton’s goal in the 27th minute gave the visitors a 2-1 lead at the interval.

Photo:  South Hobart's Sam Berezansky shoots as Clarence Zebras' Noah Smithies-Sharples tries to block [PlessPix]

Chris Downes levelled for the Lions in the 55th minute, while Sanz netted his second of the game in the 84th minute to restore Riverside’s lead.

Adam McKeown netted his first goal for his new club 4 minutes from the end to ensure Kingborough of a point in a 3-3 draw.

Reigning champions Devonport City beat Launceston City 2-1 at Buckby Land Rover Park in Launceston to gain revenge for being dumped out of the Lakoseljac Cup by Launceston City.

Connor Parke put Devonport ahead in the 3rd minute, while Kieran Mulraney made it 2-0 for the visitors 4 minutes before the break.

Launceston City scored in the 83rd minute through Sam Ridgard, despite having Rob Gerrard sent off in the 70th minute after manhandling Devonport keeper Nathan Pitchford in an attempt to grab the ball, but Devonport hung on for the 3 points.

NPL Tasmania Standings (As at 25 July 2020)

TEAM
P
W
D
L
F
A
Pts
South Hobart
2
2
0
0
4
2
6
Devonport City
2
2
0
0
3
1
6
Kingborough Lions
2
1
1
0
5
3
4
Glenorchy Knights
2
1
0
1
3
3
3
Clarence Zebras
2
1
0
1
1
1
3
Riverside Olympic
2
0
1
1
4
5
1
Launceston City
2
0
0
2
3
5
0
Olympia Warriors
2
0
0
2
2
4
0

Photo:  Olympia clear a corner against Knights [PlessPix]

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Tense game Zebras v South, South's keeper made some brave saves to keep them in the match. Not many clear passages of play as both sides harassed their opponent. With Kemp off at half-time Zebras certainly had more attacks but couldn't take the chances when they came. Constructive comment for the Ref: Keep a watch on where frees and throw-ins occur. Both sides took some free kicks well up field and throws ins at times miles downfield from where the ball went out! Luckily no-one benefited from this ball creep.

Anonymous said...

DARKO...is Jeffrey on a goals bonus as well ?

Brian Young said...

You after some aerial photos using a drone, Walter?

Anonymous said...

Brennan second yellow card - all ball tackle, no contact from behind with opponents legs who fell over the ball as he wasn't anticipating Brennan's foot to block it. At first viewing at real speed it didnt look a free and when played at 1/4 speed confirmed no foul. Ref appeared to react to crowd/player noise! Cant confirm Brennan's first yellow as footage doesn't show everything - but appeared to be a very harsh decision. Welcome back Andy!

Stevo said...

Anon 5.32 ,,, Mate you should stop watching replays at any speed and Actually go to a Game ! Your screen is cracked or your eyesight is long gone , I was 3 feet away from the tackle old mate and the ball had even gone out before Brennan took him out with both legs , rarely have I seen this done before just a real stupid tackle and even if he never got the first card he should have been sent for stupidity and recklessness,,, South got away with the win just be happy with that and leave the dumb comments at Darcy street

Anonymous said...

Really Stevo, watch it again - as you obviously didn't see it properly the first time!!

Anonymous said...

Yep , how funny , he doesn’t slide he actually throws himself into the attempted whatever you would call it , oh yeah, I know , it’s called dumb move

Anonymous said...

The remorseless denigration of John McIntyre in this column is damaging to the reputation of a legitimate champion. Also, some clarification is required: when said "champion" was 'throwing his weight around' was this a reference to his head?

Stephen Brown said...

The remorseless denigration of John McIntyre in this column is damaging to the reputation of a legitimate champion. Also, some clarification is required: when said "champion" was 'throwing his weight around' was this a reference to his head?

Anonymous said...

Great photos - as usual, Walter.

I watched the South H/Clarence Zebras game on Saturday and like many others, was appalled by the standard. In previous seasons I've seen both teams play much, much better football.

Jayden Hay was good throughout the game and Andy Brendan impressed when he came on ( apart from one awful finishing attempt when he had a clear shot at goal and shot straight to the keeper), but the lack of game sense from so many players was disappointing.

The pitch and weather were excellent for good football too.

Despite scrappy football and constant turnovers, I enjoyed the contest of the game immensely. It was wonderful seeing live NPL football again.