Glenorchy Knights hit back at their critics with a resounding 4-1 away win against Kingborough Lions United at Lightwood Park on Saturday night.
The win put them back on track for the title and they are now just one point adrift of leaders Devonport Strikers, whose game against Riverside Olympic was postponed because of a dangerous floodlight pole.
Third-placed South Hobart downed Launceston City 4-1 at home at South Hobart Oval to be a point behind Knights and a mere 3 points from league-leaders Devonport.
One of these three sides will win the 2021 title and there are 8 games remaining.
Clarence Zebras moved up two places into fifth spot with a 3-1 win at home at Wentworth Park over Olympia Warriors, who drop to second-last.
Nick Mearns is becoming Knights’ hottest marksman as he scored twice against the Lions.
Mearns gave the visitors the lead just past the quarter-hour mark, while Nick Naden made it 2-0 in the 36th minute.
Mearns completed his brace shortly after the interval before Adam McKeown pulled a goal back for the Lions in the 53rd minute.
Austin Yost added Knights’ fourth in the 57th minute.
The 4-1 score-line is a respectable win, but Kingborough will need to look at the goalkeeping position on the evidence of this game.
Launceston City started like a house on fire against South Hobart and took the lead in the 17th minute through Stefan Tantari, who finished lethally after a left-wing cross.
South Hobart weathered the storm and counter-attacked well down the flanks and were unlucky not to equalise with a shot against the right-hand upright, but it was 1-0 for the away side at the break.
It also took some heroics from goalkeeper Lachlan Clark to keep the home side at bay. His bravery led to a shoulder injury which eventually saw him substituted during the second half.
South Hobart’s Kasper Hallam hit a hat-trick as City wilted under pressure as the second half wore on.
Three goals in 8 minutes midway through the second half did the damage.
Hallam headed the equaliser in the 62nd minute and then put South ahead with an acrobatic finish following a cross from the right.
Nick Morton made it 3-1 with a low drive 20 minutes from the end, while Hallam completed his hat-trick with 2 minutes remaining.
Olympia’s hoodoo against Clarence Zebras continued when they met at Wentworth Park.
Riley Dillon opened the scoring for the home side when he tapped home at the far post after James Ackerley’s low cross from the right.
Kyle Vincent equalised on the half-hour with a precise header, but Matthew Pace restored the home side’s lead 3 minutes later after Ryan Cook’s header had left Pace in space and with only the keeper to beat.
It wasn’t until 12 minutes from the end that Sam Hills netted Clarence Zebras’ third to make the game safe.
Olympia had ceased to be much of a threat by that stage as Vincent, their most dangerous player, had strangely been substituted.
NPL Tasmania
South Hobart 4 (K Hallam 62, 68, 88, N Morton 70) beat Launceston City 1 (S Tantari 17)
Clarence Zebras 3 (R Dillon 18, M Pace 33, S Hills 78) beat Olympia Warriors 1 (K Vincent 30)
Kingborough Lions United 1 (A McKeown 53) lost to Glenorchy Knights 4 (N Mearns 16, 48, N Naden 36, A Yost 57)
Riverside Olympic v Devonport Strikers [Postponed - waterlogged pitch]
NPL Tasmania (As at 17 July 2021)
|
TEAM |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
Pts |
|
Devonport City |
13 |
10 |
1 |
2 |
29 |
10 |
31 |
|
Glenorchy Knights |
13 |
9 |
3 |
1 |
43 |
16 |
30 |
|
South Hobart |
13 |
8 |
4 |
1 |
34 |
14 |
28 |
|
Kingborough Lions |
14 |
6 |
2 |
6 |
25 |
28 |
20 |
|
Clarence Zebras |
13 |
4 |
1 |
8 |
23 |
33 |
13 |
|
Launceston City |
13 |
4 |
1 |
8 |
16 |
31 |
13 |
|
Olympia Warriors |
13 |
3 |
2 |
8 |
20 |
33 |
11 |
|
Riverside Olympic |
12 |
0 |
2 |
10 |
17 |
43 |
2 |
3 comments:
Your comments about the keeper Walter are a little harsh. He didn't have his best game but the kid is only 18 I think. He was Borough's best player recently against Clarence and played well against Olympia. Sometimes a keeper is only as good as the defenders in front and Kingborough's were woeful on the weekend. I believe all their other keepers may be injured also so he has done a great job after been thrown in the deep end.
Please have a look at Knights' first two goals. I have to report it as I see it. No disrespect to anyone, but as a reporter, you'd have to question the goalkeeping. Other keepers may be injured or unavailable, but that's just bad luck. I am sure the youngster will improve with experience, but it could have been 2-1.
Walter you comments above are fair enough.
You do have to report as you see it but I am sure you know that he is not the number 1 keeper and I also agree with your point that its bad luck that the other keepers are injured/unavailable. Was just trying to make a point that he is only young an he did put in 2 very good performances in the past couple of weeks where his performance may well have won them the game. 2 mistakes this week , unlucky .
All good.
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