A weakened Olympia Warriors side, languishing in second-last place on the NPL Tasmania standings, beat title-chasing South Hobart 3-1 away at South Hobart Oval yesterday to end the home side’s faint title hopes.
The Warriors’ Kyle Vincent was the man-of-the-match.
He showed what ‘warrior’ means with a superb display of speed, bravery, creativity and finishing.
There’ll be a local club or two that will come knocking on his door following his fantastic performances this season after coming back from a season-long spell because of injury.
After a goalless opening half, in which Olympia had two efforts denied by the off-side flag, South Hobart took the lead near the hour-mark through, who else, but Kasper Hallam. His persistence set up a shooting chance and he drove home past keeper Jake Hayers.
That’s when the Kyle Vincent show really began as he
set about the task of reviving Olympia and exploiting South Hobart's three-man defence by finding the gaps and utilising the space with his speed.
The irony was that Olympia coach, Rob Clark, who had surprisingly substituted Vincent in a recent loss against Clarence Zebras to ‘teach him a lesson’ about the importance of team play rather than individual play, was not in charge yesterday.
The team was in the hands of assistant Alex Holmes, who has now deputised twice for Clark, and won on both occasions.
Defender Jake Vandermey made a return to the side after missing most of the season to date because of a leg injury. He was obviously lacking condition but he performed well and provided some much-needed experience at the back in a young side that was also without captain Ben Curtis and Ben Tilley.
Skipper Matthew Bomford drew Olympia level midway through the second half from Vincent’s pass, while 3 minutes later, Vincent again provided the ammunition for Anthony Mamic to score and put the Warriors in front.
Three minutes from the end, Loic Feral was shown a yellow card after bringing down Vincent as he raced towards goal, and Vincent curled home a magnificent free-kick from the edge of the box to complete Olympia’s 3-1 win.
Apart from the two disallowed goals in the opening half, Olympia missed two good chances in the second half, while a couple of excellent saves by Hayers denied South Hobart, who pressed strongly but lacked that finishing touch.
South Hobart coach Ken Morton was not blessed by Lady Luck in this encounter. In past games, the side has been rescued by the introduction of young substitutes late in the match.
Yesterday, he brought on Lachlan Semmler with 20 minutes to go and Sam Tooze a minute from the end, but they were unable to salvage the situation.
Tooze is reported to be unsettled after not getting a regular senior start. He gave it everything when he came on but there was simply no time for him to have an impact.
The win did not improve Olympia’s position on the standings, but they are now just a point adrift of third-last Clarence Zebras, who drew 2-2 away with bottom-side Riverside Olympic at Windsor Park.
Riverside’s marksmen were Ryan McCarragher and Mitch Jones, while Clarence Zebras replied through Max Reardon and a Dwayne Walsh goal in the third minute of stoppage time at the end.
Clarence Zebras coach Franco Previdi said his side had ample opportunities to win but found themselves continually chasing the game, which he described as very frustrating.
Glenorchy Knights moved to within a point of leaders Devonport Strikers after downing Launceston City 1-0 away at Buckby Motors Park’s second-ranked pitch. The normal ground was considered unsuitable for play.
The Knights stuck to their task against a stubborn home side and Austin Yost grabbed the vital goal midway through the second half to set the scene for a massive showdown at Valley Road next week when Devonport host the Knights.
Devonport and Kingborough Lions United were idle this weekend as their Round 16 game had been played in Launceston earlier this season during the visit to Tasmania of A-League side Western United.
Kingborough win that match 2-0 and Devonport may yet rue that loss come season’s end.
NPL Tasmania
South Hobart 1 (K Hallam 59) lost to Olympia Warriors (M Bomford 67, A Mamic 70. K Vincent 87)
Launceston City 0 lost to Glenorchy Knights 1 (A Yost 64)
Riverside Olympic 2 drew with Clarence Zebras 2 (M Reardon 63, D Walsh 90+3)
NPL Tasmania (As at 31 July 2021)
|
TEAM |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
Pts |
|
Devonport City |
15 |
12 |
1 |
2 |
40 |
10 |
37 |
|
Glenorchy Knights |
15 |
11 |
3 |
1 |
46 |
16 |
36 |
|
South Hobart |
15 |
8 |
4 |
3 |
35 |
19 |
28 |
|
Kingborough Lions |
15 |
6 |
3 |
6 |
27 |
30 |
21 |
|
Launceston City |
15 |
5 |
1 |
9 |
19 |
34 |
16 |
|
Clarence Zebras |
15 |
4 |
3 |
8 |
27 |
37 |
15 |
|
Olympia Warriors |
15 |
4 |
2 |
9 |
23 |
37 |
14 |
|
Riverside Olympic |
15 |
0 |
3 |
12 |
21 |
56 |
3 |
8 comments:
Olympia showed guts and determination. South haven't shown either for weeks. There are passengers in that midfield who just drift around when they need to show some pride in the shirt, stand up and earn their place. They lack motivation, lack heart and most look way slow. Has Kenny lost the dressing room?
Interesting that an NPL coach would prefer watching an AFL match! Perhaps there is a succession plan becoming evident?
The Knights wallet will be opening again next season with Kyle Vincent's name on it.
God forbid that they have a succession plan. What a stupid idea that would be (sarcasm).
Hey, Anon Aug 1. 9.22pm how do you know calls haven't been made to the GK's after he was taken frm the park.
Anon 12.09 PM.
Your comment shows how pathetic you all are. Immature 'prima donnas' .
Same as a certain South player who is telling every club he is unhappy.
Grow up.
Why drag that club into this it won't be long until Olympia start to pay players again or should I say start to pay players a lot again.
That pitch in Launceston looks lush
Post a Comment