Photo: Solstice Digital
Match report: Dan Thurley
The Glenorchy Knights’ 1-0 victory over the Clarence Zebras at KGV kept the pressure on the Devonport Strikers ahead of a blockbuster meeting between the two next week.
The strategy deployed by the Zebras was all too familiar to James Sherman and the Knights, bearing a striking resemblance to that used by the Olympia Warriors in their 0-0 draw last week. Franco Previdi deployed a 5-2-3 with Austin Yost under the watchful eye of centre-back Finleh Crespin, while Josh Mathie remained skin-tight to the Knights’ leading goal scorer, Nick Mearns. Regardless, the Knights created a number of chances in the early stages, with Jack Bowman and Connor Schmidt playing a key role in the attacking third.
Schmidt got a shot away in the eighth minute after cutting inside from the right and working some space, but his effort fizzed wide of the upright. Nick Naden created another chance from the right flank when he crossed to the awaiting Nick Mearns, but he headed over the bar with the close attention from Josh Mathie bringing an unsuccessful penalty appeal from the Knights’ bench.
Crosses and set-pieces were the primary route to goal for the Knights, and an Eduardo Castaneda free-kick leading to the best chance of the half. Tyler Harrison contested the ball into the area, which crashed into the crossbar in the 25th minute. Despite several Knights attempts, Matthew Dyson remained largely untested in the Zebras’ goal, including deep into first half stoppage time when Naden’s header cleared the crossbar to bring about the half time break on level terms.
Half Time: Glenorchy Knights 0 Clarence Zebras 0
The Zebras flew out of half time with a chance in the first minute. Lachie Burt got the better of Tyler Harrison and teed up Riley Dillon in the centre, but his volley carried narrowly wide of the post. The close call kicked the Knights into gear and Connor Schmidt was brought down by Josh Mathie in a promising position in the 47th minute. Austin Yost stepped up and fired the free-kick toward goal, but Dyson parried the effort over the bar.
The breakthrough goal came from the resulting corner to mark the end of a frantic opening three minutes of the second half. Despite the Zebras’ shot-stopper getting a hand on the effort, Eli Luttmer’s header had enough behind it to get the better of Dyson and earn the Knights a 1-0 lead.
The 51st minute brought about another chance for the Knights from one of their many corners, but Mearns’ header was tipped over by Dyson yet again. The Knights were finding plenty of space in between the Zebras’ midfield and defensive lines, with the constant barrage leaving the Zebras looking tired. They absorbed the pressure and started to make a few chances of their own as the half wore on however, with counter attacks proving to be fruitful.
The best of the half came in the 77th minute when a rare Schmidt mistake gave Mathie a chance to run at the Knights defence. He got beyond Harrison and sent a ball to the back post that narrowly missed James Ackerley who was arriving late and the chance went begging.
Some of the Knights’ most promising opportunities came late in the game, the first of which was in the 89th minute when Naden took a clever touch to the inside of Crespin and got one-on-one with Dyson. Naden left his shot late, and the Zebras were grateful to see Dyson make the save yet again. Mearns had the next real chance just one minute later when he attempted a deft header over the top of the advancing Dyson. The fingertip save kept the Knights out yet again, though it made no difference to the outcome with the final whistle confirming the title race would continue for another week.
Full Time: Glenorchy Knights 1 Clarence Zebras 0
With two games remaining, the Knights’ title hopes will hang on the outcome of their clash with the Devonport Strikers. The Clarence Zebras remain in seventh place, three points behind the Olympia Warriors.
NPL Round 20 Results:
Devonport Strikers 2-1 South Hobart
Olympia Warriors 4-1 Riverside Olympic
Glenorchy Knights 1-0 Clarence Zebras
Kingborough Lions 4-1 Launceston City