Hobart United climb to second on standings with 5-0 win over Knights

Photo:  Knights' Pratek Maharjan appears to have Hobart United's Dhor Ngor-Apuol in a head-lock. [PlessPix]  

Hobart United moved from seventh to second place on the Southern Championship standings with a 5-0 away win over Eight=placed Glenorchy Knights at KGV Park this evening.

The loss dumped Knights into last place.

John Buga hit a hat-trick, while United’s other goals came from Abel Berhane and Moses Khasif.

United could easily have doubled their tally, while the Knights had a few half-chances which they squandered.

Photo:  Knights try to launch a counter-attack. [PlessPix] 

In the last minute, Knights’ Olaf Conforti could have grabbed a consolation goal for his side when he broke through, but his shot over the keeper clipped the top of the crossbar.

United missed a number of absolute sitters and also hit the woodwork.

Buga put United into the lead in the 29^th minute, while Moses Khasif, in the 39^th minute, and Buga again in the 46^th minute, saw United leading 3-0 at the interval.

Photo:  Knights' Olaf Conforti can't get to the ball. [PlessPix] 

Two more goals in the final quarter of an hour gave United their 5-0 victory.

Berhane made it 4-0 in the 77^th minute and Buga completed his hat-trick two minutes from the end.

Photo:  Knights coach Aaron Browning in a pensive moment. [PlessPix] 

 Knights coach Aaron Browning said:

“I think there’s plenty to learn from the game.

“We sort of feel like we’re a new team in this league as we’ve just come into it.

“It’s sort of staying in games and taking our chances.  In the first half there we had as many chances as they did but we just didn’t finish any of them.

“Credit to them for being an extremely fit team and finishing their chances well.

“We expected a tough game so we knew what we were in for.”

Photo:  Hobart United coach Joseph Stevens (left) and assistant coach Moses Kangogo. [PlessPix] 

Hobart United coach Joseph Stevens said:

“It was a good win but I wouldn’t say I’m pleased with it.

“I need more.  We could have got more.  We played well in patches but it wasn’t a full performance.

“It’s a big improvement on our last game.”

Photo:  Knights' young keeper Campbell Baker, who made many fine saves, snatches the ball ahead of United's Abel Berhane. [PlessPix] 

 SOUTHERN CHAMPIONSHIP (As at 5 April 2024)

TEAM	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
South Hobart	2	2	0	0	11	4	6
Hobart United	3	2	0	1	10	4	6
Taroona	2	2	0	0	6	1	6
New Town Eagles	2	2	0	0	3	1	6
University	2	1	0	1	10	5	3
South East United	2	1	0	1	9	4	3
Olympia Warriors	2	1	0	1	4	2	3
Hobart City	2	0	0	2	2	11	0
Clarence Zebras	2	0	0	2	0	10	0
Glenorchy Knights	3	0	0	3	3	16	0

 

Photo:  Referee James Hamilton watches the action closely. [PlessPix]