The Kingborough Lions have defeated the Hobart Zebras 3-2 in a classic at Lightwood Park. Scoreless at half-time, the two teams turned it on in the second half for the fans in attendance. Keenan Douce continued his goal scoring form, scoring his 3rd long range goal in 3 weeks to seal the win for the Lions in the 84th minute.
The game almost had it's first goal early on when Thomas Little nearly conceded a horrid own goal following a cross from Brayton Allan. Little attempted to smash it away but his clearance came off wrong and banged off the post!
Nic Zammit then received the first slice of cheese in the match after a bad challenge on a Zebra defender. Zebras Manager Dave Smith received one of own after an argument on a linesman call that was late, proving that no one was safe from the book tonight! The bookings continued for the away side only a minute later when Japanese import Ryu Yonezawa was given a yellow card for time wasting.
Half time arrived and the game headed into the sheds goalless. Both sides had created chances, but we didn't see this incredible second half coming I can tell you that!
Cameron Steele sent in a corner ball in the opening minute. Horacio Guitterez Jr was there waiting for it and headed home past Zebra's keeper Sam Whatman to give the Lions the breakthrough goal.
'The Colonel' Matthew Sanders canceled out the lead for the Lions in a matter of seconds. A looping cross from the wing found Sanders in the box who got onto a tight angle and slotted home past Lions keeper Kenneth Perkinson.
Danny Cowen was perhaps fortunate not to get sent off after a massive knock to the shins of Nicky Edwards. Cowen did however receive a Slice of Cheese.
Nic Cuthbertson then restored the lead for the Lions after a great leaping header courtesy another wonderfully struck Steele set piece.
Booking followed for Turner and Pace respectively, before Chris Downes scored a disastrous own goal after an attempted clearance. A cross from the Zebras wasn't cleared and Downes effort ended up in the back of the net to square it up at 2-2.
Keenan Douce then made himself the hero with a goal of the season contender. After some strong and skillful play from Turner to get the better of Walsh, he worked it to Douce at the top of the box, who skipped into space and on his left foot lobbed the ball over Whatman who was caught off his line for an absolute screamer of a goal!
The Zebras bench and players were furious, adamant that they had been robbed with that goal feeling Jack Turner had received the ball in a clear offside position in the lead up. Nevertheless the goal stood and that's all she wrote, with the Zebras unable to find a third leveller.
After the game Kingborough Manager Jez Kenth praised his team for finally getting over the line after weeks of not being able to hold onto positive result. "Good performance, we work as a unit when Turner is in the XI.. good to see we put away some set piece play tonight.. Keenan should be one of the first names in the TAS rep side v Central Coast Mariners, fantastic work by him."
Dave Smith expressed his thoughts on the game. "Down the other end of the field it did look offside..I can't comment.. it was a battle.. weren't good enough tonight.. we weren't able to win the second ball and that's what we have to be better in doing.."
Kingborough's win sends the Lions back to 5th position, a position that may be short lived if Glenorchy were to defeat Launceston City in Saturday's game at KGV. The Zebras remain in fourth spot, where they are likely to finish with South Hobart now looking out of reach.