The Glenorchy Knights have booked their spot in the 2020 Lakoseljac Cup Final with a thrilling 3-2 win over South Hobart in an instant cup classic at KGV. South had rallied back from 2-0 down to square the game via Nick Morton on 62 minutes but Thomas Young responded 10 minutes later to secure the Knights progression in one of the most entertaining games of the year.
The opening ten minutes hinted at what was to come, as the ball flowed from end to end with both sides setting out their intentions to attack, albeit neither side could produce a shot in that period.
It was a sloppy turnover at the back that led to Joffrey Nkoso opening the scoring on 11 minutes as he pounced on Reilly Morton's pass, stormed into the box, rounding Moncur before finishing from the angle into the roof of the net.
It was then two shots, two goals when Thomas Young headed home an Alex Bellini set piece after Thomas and Muller had helped it on with headers back across the face of goal, leaving Young with a simple nod home.
South were not deterred though and quickly pulled one back via captain Kobe Kemp as he rose to thump home Andy Brennan's corner and cut the lead back to 2-1.
The remainder of the first half was a pulsating affair that flowed from end to end with both sides creating chances. South had more of the play, but Knights were creating the more dangerous goal scoring looks and should have taken the lead on a couple of occasions, with Alex Walter's just missing a back post header to cap a superb flowing move, Thomas Young punching a 1 v 1 chance wide of the mark and Nicholas Naden passing up a headed chance in the final minute of play.
It didn't take long for the second half to pick up where the first left off as the intensity and pace of the game kicked right up and just past the hour mark Nick Morton drew his side level.
An off balance Thomas couldn't clear his lines and Morton pounced on the loose ball, taking a touch to steady himself before picking out the top corner with a perfect finish.
Joffrey Nkoso then threatened to take over the game, with his storming runs down the wing terrorising the South defence and his swag of tricks on full display in what was a dazzling display from the Knights winger. Moncur denied him a goal with a sharp save before Kibler made a crucial block on a goal bound Alex Walter shot.
Knights would eventually get their breakthrough on 71 minutes though Thomas Young. Alex Bellini picked him out with a superbly weighted ball into the box that Young ran onto, taking it down and round the keeper before steering it home with his second touch.
It made it 3-2 with 20 to play and South desperately pushed on in search of the equaliser.
Nkoso was subbed out due to excessive cramping, unable to stand, which came as no surprise given the sheer number of repeat long length sprints he made in his best on ground performance.
Substitute Berezansky came close to getting South back to 3-3 when his shot from a nicely hit Kemp free kick was hit straight at Hart but it would be as close as South came, with the Knights defence seeing the game out to punch their ticket into the final.
It finished 3-2 and will go down as probably the most entertaining game of the season. The standard was high, the pace even higher and the goals made for a thrilling contest for a big KGV crowd who will be hoping for an equally compelling decider next Saturday, where the Knights will either take on Olympia or Launceston City.
https://youtu.be/L1WaSxofVtA