They led from the game's 20-second mark, and the Glenorchy Knights never looked back from there in a comprehensive 3-0 win over Launceston City. An early goal to Nic Naden had Launceston on the back foot from the first whistle and set the tone for the Knights to cruise to a victory that tightens their grip on fifth place in the NPL TAS.
Lining up without star midfielder-turned-defender Jarrod Linger, City looked shaky throughout and struggled to win or maintain possession across the park. Glenorchy were led from the front by the tireless running of Alex Leszczynski, and their constant pressure saw them take the lead almost immediately.
A long ball from the kickoff was pinballed around the edge of the area before eventually landing with Leszczynski at the top of the box. He flicked it through for Naden behind the defence, and had time to slide a shot past City goalkeeper Lachlan Clark and into the bottom corner.
A goal behind before they'd even completed a pass, Launceston tried to find target man Noah Mies up forward but struggled to move the ball downfield. The Knights, meanwhile, continued to press hard and pepper the goals, and they should have had doubled their lead inside ten minutes after a Leszczynski cross found Brown unmarked and with an open goal ahead. A stumble at the crucial moment meant he couldn't get a shot away, much to the dismay of the home crowd.
That miss was forgotten quickly, though, as they grabbed a second goal shortly after. A lofted ball from Alex Bellini found Naden around the goals once again, and his chipped effort beat the advancing Clark but dropped short of the goal line. City's Matthew Oh went to clear it away, but under pressure from Naden he could only belt it into the top corner of his own net.
Even with a two goal buffer there was no let-up from the hosts and they had all the play for the rest of the first half. Leszczynski had a handful of chances and was denied by some excellent goalkeeping from Clark, while Brown saw a header thump off the woodwork and out.
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Leszczynski was a handful in attack- Solstice Photography[/caption]
Half time couldn't come quickly enough for the visitors, but any changes they made during the break didn't have an impact as Glenorchy continued to control the game after the restart. The shots City did manage to fire were all from long range and without any real threat, while the Knights slowed the tempo slightly but still looked much more likely to score.
The found reward for their efforts and sealed the game with just under 20 minutes left, and it was a moment of magic from Bellini that made it happen. After collecting a loose ball inside the area he beat his man with some fancy footwork, took the ball to the byline and played a brilliant chip with the outside of his boot across the goal. It landed on the head of Naden in traffic, and he emphatically headed home for his second goal of the day.
Any fight that was left in City's players didn't materialise on the field, as the Knights controlled possession until the final whistle and completed a comfortable win. After a number of close losses against top-four teams, they would surely be thrilled to claim three points against one of their nearest rivals to jump clear on the table.
Leszczynski was a handful in attack- Solstice Photography[/caption]
Half time couldn't come quickly enough for the visitors, but any changes they made during the break didn't have an impact as Glenorchy continued to control the game after the restart. The shots City did manage to fire were all from long range and without any real threat, while the Knights slowed the tempo slightly but still looked much more likely to score.
The found reward for their efforts and sealed the game with just under 20 minutes left, and it was a moment of magic from Bellini that made it happen. After collecting a loose ball inside the area he beat his man with some fancy footwork, took the ball to the byline and played a brilliant chip with the outside of his boot across the goal. It landed on the head of Naden in traffic, and he emphatically headed home for his second goal of the day.
Any fight that was left in City's players didn't materialise on the field, as the Knights controlled possession until the final whistle and completed a comfortable win. After a number of close losses against top-four teams, they would surely be thrilled to claim three points against one of their nearest rivals to jump clear on the table.