Lions score historic first NPL win over South Hobart

Photo:  Romero Vilar was the match-winner for Kingborough against South Hobart. [PlessPix] 

(NPL Tasmania, Clennett’s Lightwood Park, Friday, 24 June 2022)

Kingborough Lions United 1 (Vilar 71)

South Hobart 0

HT:  0-0   Att:  ? (who knows?)   Ref:  J Hamilton

Kingborough Lions United:  Gillam  -  Prince, J Huigsloot, G Downes, M Hess (Douce 60)  -  A Hess, Kemp, A Taylor  -  Vilar, Mies, Kantzos (D Taylor 60)  [Subs not used:  James, Mackie (GK), Mundy]

South Hobart:  Hayers  -  Herweynen, Bighin, Feral, Semmler  -  Lancaster, Morton, Hey  -   Van Doorne, Divin (Larby 77), Berezansky  [Subs not used: Brown, Higgins, Hurd)

Kingborough Lions United showed some mettle tonight to beat South Hobart 1-0 at home at Clennett’s Lightwood Park and leapfrog their opponents into second spot on the NPL Tasmania standings.

It was the first time Kingborough had beaten South Hobart in the NPL competition.

It could have been more as Noah Mies missed two one-on-ones with the goalkeeper in the closing 5 minutes.

Kingborough were also denied a penalty near the end when Kobe Kemp appeared to be brought down in the box, but Mr Hamilton waved play on.  Kemp, to his credit, didn’t make an issue of it.

South Hobart also missed some glorious chances.  Jayden Hey brought out a good save from Kingborough keeper Roan Gillam early in the second half when the keeper tipped his header over the bar.

Substitute Ewan Larby also squandered a good chance late in the game, firing tamely at Gillam with the goal beckoning.

It was an even game statistically, but South Hobart were more methodical, technically proficient and individually skilled.

They spread the ball around using both flanks and working their way out of defence and into midfield to launch attacks, whereas the Lions played the long ball out of defence in a hit-or-miss manner.

Photo:  Lachlan Semmler was one of the best performers for South Hobart. [PlessPix]  

Lacklan Semmler was excellent for South.  The left-footed left-back was everywhere.  He took corners from the right, took free-kicks, and attacked down the flank continually.

South were without the injured Bradley Lakoseljac, while the Lions missed Adam McKeown (Phil Kantzos was given a rare start in his place) and Keenan Douce, who came on as a substitute during the second half.

Romero Vilar, Kingborough’s Argentinian winger, had a busy game.  He and Kantzos switched wings at times and he also helped out in defence when required.

Vilar won the game with a neat goal in the 71^st minute.  He was in the inside-right position when he was given the ball from the inside-left position and he cut inside and stroked the ball low and inside the far-left-hand post to give the Lions their historic victory.

NPL Tasmania Standings (As at 18 June 2022)

TEAM	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Devonport Strikers	10	9	0	1	38	4	27
Kingborough Lions	11	7	1	3	31	19	22
South Hobart	10	6	2	2	34	7	20
Glenorchy Knights	10	6	1	3	24	9	19
Launceston City	9	5	1	3	20	20	16
Clarence Zebras	10	2	2	6	10	23	8
Olympia Warriors	10	1	0	9	9	44	3
Riverside Olympic	10	0	1	9	4	44	1

 

In the Women’s Super League curtain-raiser, South Hobart walloped Kingborough Lions United 9-1.

Strikers show rest of field a clean pair of heels

Photo:  South Hobart's Nick Morton under pressure from Knights' Jack Bowman. [PlessPix] 

After Round 1 of the 2022 NPL Tasmania season, I predicted that only Devonport Strikers, Glenorchy Knights and South Hobart could win this season’s title.

I’m brave enough now to whittle that down to one team:  Devonport Strikers.

The Strikers are 7 points clear of second-placed South Hobart and 8 points ahead of third-ranked Glenorchy Knights and fourth-placed Kingborough Lions United with virtually half the season gone.

Knights, South Hobart and the Lions probably hold faint hopes of being able to catch the Strikers, but I don’t think so, especially after the Strikers’ 10-1 thrashing of second-last Olympia Warriors on Saturday.

That was a comprehensive win and a sign that the North-West Coast outfit are serious and won’t ease up even against the lower sides.

Photo:  Clarence Zebras' Jeremy Price (left) moves in to try and help Jackson Ebini handle the Lions' Noah Mies. [PlessPix]  

Roberto Fernandez Garrido led the charge with another hat-trick in the first half, while Ali Dulleh and Joel Stone both scored braces.

Henry Andrews had started the ball rolling with a goal after just 4 minutes, while Brody Denehey and Baxter Tu completed the rout with the last two goals in the 61^st and 77^th minutes, respectively.

Adan Pickup netted Olympia’s consolation goal in the 40^th minute, but the horse had bolted and the visitors trailed 6-1 at the interval.

South Hobart leapfrogged Glenorchy Knights into second place with a 3-0 win over the Knights at South Hobart Oval.

Photo:  South Hobart's Tobias Herweynen is tackled by Glenorchy Knights' Daniel Schmidt. [PlessPix]  

Sam Berezansky put South Hobart in front 5 minutes before the break through a fortunate deflection from close range after a low cross from the right.

Nick Morton made it 2-0 in the 62^nd minute when he feigned a shot and tricked keeper Reef Murfett to commit himself before then rolling the ball into an empty net.

Berezansky added his second and South Hobart’s third in the 73^rd minute.

Knights were without Tyler Harrison, while they lost Cade Smith after half an hour when he was injured after somersaulting over the keeper following a block by Jake Hayers.

Smith needed attention on the pitch before being stretchered off with his neck in a brace.

Photo:  Knights' Cade Smith is stretchered off after suffering what appeared to be a neck injury. [PlessPix]  

Knights had few ideas in attack and their long clearances seemed to be directed straight to the South Hobart defenders.

They are clinging to third place only on goal-difference as they are level on points with fourth-ranked Kingborough Lions United, who downed sixth-placed Clarence Zebras 4-0 away at Wentworth Park.

Adam McKeown hit the first in the 19^th minute and made it 2-0 on the hour before two late strikes by Noah Mies completed the win against a disappointing home side.

Photo:  The Lions' Andy Taylor beats Clarence Zebras' Lachie Burt to the ball as Lions' Matt Hess watches the action. [PlessPix]  

On Friday night, fifth-placed Launceston City beat bottom-side Riverside Olympic 5-2 away at Windsor Park in the Launceston derby to stay with reach of the Lions, Knights and South Hobart.

Stefan Tantari and Jaden Fidra both scored braces, while Albert Amankwaa scored City’s opener.

Riverside managed to get to 2-2 early in the second half before falling by the wayside.

Photo:  South Hobart's Josh Divin eyes a pass against Knights. [PlessPix]  

NPL Tasmania

South Hobart 3-0 Glenorchy Knights

Clarence Zebras 0-4 Kingborough Lions United

Devonport Strikers 10-1 Olympia Warriors

Riverside Olympic 2-5 Launceston City [Friday]

Photo:  Sam Berezansky, who scored twice, eludes Knights' Daniel Schmidt. [PlessPix]  

NPL Tasmania Standings (As at 18 June 2022)

TEAM	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Devonport Strikers	10	9	0	1	38	4	27
South Hobart	9	6	2	1	34	6	20
Glenorchy Knights	10	6	1	3	24	9	19
Kingborough Lions	10	6	1	3	30	19	19
Launceston City	9	5	1	3	20	20	16
Clarence Zebras	10	2	2	6	10	23	8
Olympia Warriors	10	1	0	9	9	44	3
Riverside Olympic	10	0	1	9	4	44	1

Photo:  South Hobart's Nick Morton shoots as Knights' Jordan Muller attempts to block. [PlessPix]
 

Photo:  Knights' Thomas Walpole takes on South Hobart's Luke Bighin. [PlessPix]

Photo:  The Lions' tricky winder Romero Vilar takes takes on the Clarence Zebras defence. [PlessPix]