95th Minute Divin Intervention earns South a point

It was a special day for South Hobart, as they celebrated club stalwarts Brian and Keith Roberts and their contribution to not only South Hobart football club, but also the wider Tasmanian Football community on a glorious winter's day. South Hobart also presented gifts to past players, Hugh Ludford and Daniel Brown for their contribution over many years at the club. There was a packed stand at D'Arcy street as fans and past players came along to show their appreciation. For Glenorchy Knights, current ladder leaders, this was a must-win game for them to keep Devonport Strikers from catching them on the NPL table. An interesting inclusion to the South Hobart side was American Centre-back Patrick Kibler in his first NPL appearance of 2021. Kibler received a yellow card in the 13th minute for a foul on Nick Naden. Referee Brenton Kopra awarded a free-kick to the Knights, denied by South Goalkeeper Nick O'Connel with a leaping save. Controversially, Kibler received a warning in the 15th minute, with what appeared to be a studs-up challenge on Naden. Kibler didn't receive a second yellow for this tackle, much to the dismay of the Knights bench and spectators. There was another early blow for the Knights, as captain Tyler Harrison was subbed off after 20 minutes with an apparent ankle injury. Knights fortunes appeared to change in the 32nd minute after a free-kick was awarded when South Hobart defender Luke Bighin was given a yellow card after a tactical foul.  Castaneda with a precision hit towards an unmarked Jordan Muller on the near post who headed a goal into the top corner. [caption id="attachment_17224" align="aligncenter" width="512"] Knights Jordan Muller and Callum Lancaster battle it out. Picture: Solstice Digital[/caption] Knights retained most of the possession in the first half with more shots on goal, but a scrappy game for South Hobart conceding 7 free kicks and 2 yellow cards after 45 minutes. HALF TIME SCORE: South Hobart 0 - Glenorchy Knights 1 (Muller '32) Into the second half, some exciting passing play from South Hobart's young attacking lineup raised the tempo of the game, putting the Knights under pressure. However, it was Knights who created the most goal-scoring opportunities in the second half but failed to hit the back of the net. The crowd at D'Arcy Street was responsive to the increased tempo and gave plenty of vocal support. Knights injury woes continued as Jordan Muller and Nick Mearns were attended to by the Knights physio, who was kept busy during the game. Meanwhile, coach Ken Morton substituted young players Lachie Semmler and Josh Divin into an already youthful South attack. It was at the 90th-minute mark when South Hobart's Nick Morton made an attempt on target which was denied by a formidable save by Knights keeper, Lachie Hart. As the game went into stoppage time another shot followed, to be hit over the goal by Herweynen. Knights were forced into a late substitution as Nick Mearns was attended by the physio after a tackle by Bradley Lakoseljac. As play then resumed at 95 minutes, a free-kick was awarded to South after a handball by Callen Griffin, but South were denied any opportunities by the Knights defense at that point. Play continued in a frustrating few minutes for the Knights until a through ball by Luke Bighin, landed at the chest of Kasper Hallam who flicked on to Herweynen who crossed to Josh Divin at the far post. An acrobatic flick from Divin sent the ball into the back of the net and the D'Arcy street crowd into a rapturous celebration of the youngster's goal in a potentially season-saving development. See the goal video and slow motion replay here: (courtesy of FTTV) [video width="1280" height="720" mp4="https://www.sliceofcheese.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Divin-Goal_1.mp4"][/video] Another pressing effort from South continued to raise the tempo into 7 minutes of stoppage time when Referee Kopra blew the final whistle. Match Statistics at the end of the game were fairly level compared to the first half, with South Hobart making 4 shots on target to Knights 3. FULL TIME: South Hobart 1 (Divin '95 ) - Glenorchy Knights 1 (Muller '32) In other NPL games, Devonport Strikers now go top of the NPL table after a 3-0 win over an Olympia side who were reduced to 9 men after the sending off of Koby Moschiagonis and Kyle Vincent. In a thrilling Friday night derby, Launceston City defeated Riverside Olympic at home by 5 goals to 1. Kingborough Lions were defeated 1-0 at home by Clarence Zebras.