A goal in the final minute of play wasn’t enough for South Hobart, as Kingborough clung to a 3-2 victory in an entertaining, edge of your seat affair at the den.
Laura Davis’ two goal haul provided the edge for the home side in the first half thought that cushion was soon under threat, after mounting pressure from the restart saw Charlotte Ingram peg one back. Amy Ollington steadied the ship to restore the Lions buffer, only for Pishon Choi to capitalise during a frantic final few minutes to ensure a heart stopping finale.
Early opportunities set the tone of the affair. An intercept in the Lions defensive third, saw Fader pick out Niki Moutsatsos. The forward forced the first save of many from Erika Mackintosh. Fader was South’s focal point of attack for the opening half, with the left flank buzzing under her influence.
Soon after, Davis motored to the byline on the right flank with the ball at her feet. Waiting for the late runner, Davis cut the ball back for Christabelle Moore, who scuffed the shot. The move was performed by the duo as if on repeat throughout the first half.
Threats at both ends of the game kept spectators on their toes. The end to end affair was further flared by the clear belief by both teams that they could win.
The breakthrough arrived just after the half hour mark. Smooth play in the build up saw Holly Bonertz-Benn in prime shooting territory. Georgia McMullen reached, but couldn’t deter the shot from its target, as Davis added the final touch with her head.
During South's search for a reply, a goal line clearance and defensive scramble denied them from capitalising off a dangerous free kick at the edge of the box. However, it was the Lions who swung the pendulum further in their favour as they doubled the lead before the break.
On the counter, against the immediate run of play, the ball moved up the pitch with urgency for the Lions. Upon receiving the ball, Moore read Davis' run like a book, to slot a pass into her forwards path. Placement over power was the route Davis chose, the shot taking its sweet time but inevitably beating an outstretched McMullen to find a way into the net.
South Hobart arrived in the second half with a bang. A half time substitution bolstered their attack, with Pishon Choi adding an extra dimension that caused the Lions defence headaches. Long switching balls, shots from distance and energy in pressing high all put South right back into the match.
Just after the hour mark reward was reaped. An inability to clear in midfield by the Lions saw Choi leap to quickly move the ball onto Ingram. The South winger, who was on the inside of her mark, found herself with only the keeper to beat and poked it into the bottom corner to spark hope of a comeback.
With confidence brimming, Ingram almost struck for a second soon after. Her opportunity saw the Lions fail to clear their line, opening up a chance for Moutsatsos at fullback to rip a shot from 40 yards out. The effort beat both the goalkeeper and the crossbar.
Play soon fizzled out for South when Kingborough capitalised on the break. A long goal kick controlled by Davis allowed the forward to pick out Ollington on the right flank. Undeterred by Naomi Berrell’s advances, Ollington coolly slotted it past the keeper to restore the 2 goal buffer.
The pack kept shuffling for South as the chase continued, while the Lions had clawed of momentum back. South mounted more pressure as time ticked down.
An opportunity at either end arrived in the 90th minute. A free kick, again at the edge of the area, was struck sweetly by Jessica Shreeve, forcing a top bins save by McMullen. While Bridie Cooling went for gold merely a minute later. In prime territory, free of markers, the fullback turned centre forward couldn’t hit the shot with the composure needed to keep it on frame.
Persistence prevailed in extra time. A low cross worked from a throw in picked out a lurking Choi on the last line of defence. Choi notched the consolation goal in style, nutmegging Macintosh in the process.
It was too late however as the Lions held on to claim the 3-2 victory and leap into third place in the process.
The battle for third has been tantalizing all season, with perhaps the final clash between the three challengers providing the showcase decider. The Lions now sit third and still have a match still to play against Clarence Zebras mid-week, but they will likely need to claim a point in that game to hold their spot. Currently in fifth, Ulverstone sit just 3 points behind the Lions and boast a vastly superior goal differential, meaning a win over last placed University, in their final game next week would see them jump into third spot and consign South to fifth.