Photo: Solstice Digital
Preview written by Dan Thurley
The Glenorchy Knights have put the Devonport Strikers on notice following a 2-0 win over title rivals South Hobart at KGV.
Heavy rain drove supporters into the stands at KGV, but it appeared James Sherman had managed to light a fire under his Knights who had the ball in the net within three minutes. Wing-back Jack Bowman supplied Austin Yost with a delightful cross, but the in-form marksman’s headed goal was denied by the offside flag. However, just as he did last week against the Kingborough Lions, Nick Mearns found the net in the 16th minute with the Knights firmly in control. South Hobart struggled to contain the Knights in wide positions, and just as Bowman had earlier, Schmidt delivered a cross into the area that found Mearns, who cushioned a header inside the post to open the scoring.
The conditions played their part in the opening 20 minutes as South Hobart’s attacking trio were left chasing, with passes from midfield often carrying beyond the touchline. Nick Naden was undeterred by the wet weather however, proving so when Tyler Harrison sent a long ball forward that the Knights striker took under his spell. He moved beyond Luke Bighin as he approached the 18-yard box and left Nick O'Connell stranded with his early shot that found the net via the upright in the 22nd minute.
[caption id="attachment_17385" align="aligncenter" width="615"]
Photo: Solstice Digital[/caption]
With a 2-0 lead, the Glenorchy Knights continued to create chances from wide positions, and Yost’s impressive start was almost rewarded with a goal when Schmidt once again delivered a dangerous cross. Yost reached out a foot, desperate to turn Schmidt’s delivery toward goal but the effort rose inches over the bar.
Ken Morton responded to his side’s slow start by moving the returning Jayden Hey to fullback in place of Lachlan Semmler, who joined Sam Tooze and Kasper Hallam up front. Semmler’s injection of pace allowed South Hobart to start building some momentum, however it was short lived as the half-time break allowed the Knights to regain control.
Half Time: Glenorchy Knights 2 (Mearns 16’, Naden 22’) South Hobart 0
The first real chance of the second half did not arrive until the 63rd minute when it was Yost who again came close. Mearns showed some good close control to find some space and feed Naden, who played Yost into the box. He rounded O’Connell, but gave the South Hobart shot stopper enough time to recover and gather Yost’s effort.
[caption id="attachment_17390" align="aligncenter" width="615"]
Photo: Solstice Digital[/caption]
Ken Morton then went to a back three of his own in search of an avenue back into the tie. Jacob Lancaster dropped into the centre of defence with Bighin and Patrick Kibler either side. Samuel Berezansky and Josh Divin were introduced from the bench to give the visitors some attacking flare, but the rock-solid Knights defence left South Hobart with barely a sight of goal.
The intensity had dropped significantly by the final 15 minutes, which was highlighted when Yost stole possession from the napping Lancaster inside the 18-yard box. He again rounded O’Connell, but Lancaster had the awareness to force him wide and Yost could not find a way to get his shot on target.
Full Time: Glenorchy Knights 2 (Mearns 16’, Naden 22’) South Hobart 0
The final whistle handed Glenorchy Knights a valuable three points that puts them two games ahead of South Hobart in third. Up next for the title hopefuls is their game in hand against the in-form Launceston City and a victory in that game will set up a mouth watering top of the table clash with the Devonport Strikers in round 17.
NPL Tasmania Round 15 Results:
Launceston City 3-2 Riverside Olympic
Clarence Zebras 2-2 Kingborough Lions
Devonport Strikers 3-0 Olympia Warriors
Glenorchy Knights 2-0 South Hobart
Photo: Solstice Digital[/caption]
With a 2-0 lead, the Glenorchy Knights continued to create chances from wide positions, and Yost’s impressive start was almost rewarded with a goal when Schmidt once again delivered a dangerous cross. Yost reached out a foot, desperate to turn Schmidt’s delivery toward goal but the effort rose inches over the bar.
Ken Morton responded to his side’s slow start by moving the returning Jayden Hey to fullback in place of Lachlan Semmler, who joined Sam Tooze and Kasper Hallam up front. Semmler’s injection of pace allowed South Hobart to start building some momentum, however it was short lived as the half-time break allowed the Knights to regain control.
Half Time: Glenorchy Knights 2 (Mearns 16’, Naden 22’) South Hobart 0
The first real chance of the second half did not arrive until the 63rd minute when it was Yost who again came close. Mearns showed some good close control to find some space and feed Naden, who played Yost into the box. He rounded O’Connell, but gave the South Hobart shot stopper enough time to recover and gather Yost’s effort.
[caption id="attachment_17390" align="aligncenter" width="615"] Photo: Solstice Digital[/caption]
Ken Morton then went to a back three of his own in search of an avenue back into the tie. Jacob Lancaster dropped into the centre of defence with Bighin and Patrick Kibler either side. Samuel Berezansky and Josh Divin were introduced from the bench to give the visitors some attacking flare, but the rock-solid Knights defence left South Hobart with barely a sight of goal.
The intensity had dropped significantly by the final 15 minutes, which was highlighted when Yost stole possession from the napping Lancaster inside the 18-yard box. He again rounded O’Connell, but Lancaster had the awareness to force him wide and Yost could not find a way to get his shot on target.
Full Time: Glenorchy Knights 2 (Mearns 16’, Naden 22’) South Hobart 0
The final whistle handed Glenorchy Knights a valuable three points that puts them two games ahead of South Hobart in third. Up next for the title hopefuls is their game in hand against the in-form Launceston City and a victory in that game will set up a mouth watering top of the table clash with the Devonport Strikers in round 17.
NPL Tasmania Round 15 Results:
Launceston City 3-2 Riverside Olympic
Clarence Zebras 2-2 Kingborough Lions
Devonport Strikers 3-0 Olympia Warriors
Glenorchy Knights 2-0 South Hobart