A dominant performance from Alex Walter helped the Glenorchy Knights to a statement 7-0 win over Kingborough at KGV on Saturday.
A hat-trick from Walter coupled with a brace from teammate Connor Schmidt underlined the rampant victory, with Kingborough’s Davis Bryan’s first half red card proving to be a key moment in the contest.
The game kicked off with a scrappy start, with neither side able to hold on to the ball for a significant period of time. Kingborough had a couple of attacks down their right wing, before the Knights started to control the game. In the 11th minute Cade Smith and Jack Bowman combined to pass well for the home team, before four minutes later the Knights found themselves celebrating a goal.
The Knights first goal of the game came through Alex Walter, with the number 17 bursting through the centre of the Lions defence. After winning a foot race to the ball with his direct opponent Walter managed to strike the ball goal ward. Lions keeper Lee Mackie got some contact on the ball but failed to keep it out, putting the home side one goal up with 15 minutes played.
Just two minutes after the first battle between Walter and Mackie, they found themselves in another with Walter winning a penalty. This chance came after Nkoso played Walter through at the top of the box, with Walter being brought down by Mackie. This challenge forced the referee to point to the spot, but Mackie did well to stop Walter’s penalty kick and the score remained 1-0.
These two great chances set the tone for the rest of the half with the Knights continuing to push for a second goal. Chances fell to Nkoso and Naden, before a scramble in the box almost saw a second goal sneak through. However, the home sides next good chance would come in the 39th minute.
In the 39th minute Kingborough centre back Davis Bryan was shown a straight red card after battling for the ball with Nick Naden. Bryan was judged to have fouled his opponent with a DOGSO challenge and after being sent off the field the Knights had a freekick at the top of the box, which they failed to convert. The red card proved to be a big blow to the visiting side and they were lucky the score remained 1-0 as the teams went into the rooms for halftime.
Down to ten men and playing on the spacious pitch of KGV everything was up against the Lions as the second half kicked off and it did not take long for the Knights to score. In the 51st minute Alex Walter found his second of the game, slotting home past Mackie to double his sides lead.
Just five minutes after his second Walter had completed his hat-trick, tapping the ball in at the back pot after Naden crossed the ball into the box. This goal moved the score to 3-0 and the Knights were not taking their foot off the pedal, scoring another eight minutes later. This goal came when Nkoso found Schmidt in the box, with Schmidt striking well into the goal and extending his sides lead.
Four goals up with 62 minutes played the Knights continued to run all over the helpless Lions. Shots to Nkoso and Smith forced saves from the Lions keeper Mackie, before they broke through again in the 74th minute.
Following this goal, the Lions had a rare chance of their own with Downes hitting an attacking freekick over the bar, however it would be the Knights who once again found a goal. The Knights sixth goal came through Joffrey Nkoso, striking a brilliant left foot shot into the bottom corner of the net.
In the 93rd minute the Knights would hit their final blow onto the visiting side when Schmidt finished from outside the box for his second goal. This goal proved to be the last play of the day with the referee blowing his whistle as soon as the ball struck the back of the net, with the Knights running out dominant 7-0 winners.
The win sees Glenorchy continue to put pressure on the lead leaders Devonport in second place, whilst Kingborough drop to fourth. Next week the Lions face a daunting trip to Valley Road to take on Devonport, whilst the Knights will head north, travelling to Buckby Land Rover Park to take on Launceston City.
https://youtu.be/xvMs3NKdMok