Photo: Solstice Digital
Match report: Dan Thurley
The Glenorchy Knights’ title hopes were dealt a significant blow after they were left to rue a hoard of missed opportunities in a 0-0 draw with the Olympia Warriors on Saturday.
The Knights started brightly and came close to scoring as early as the third minute. Elliot Hoysted – starting in the Warriors’ net in place of Jake Hayers – attempted to punch clear a Knights corner but the ball fell to the feet of Eli Luttmer whose shot was denied by a late clearance. Hoysted came up with a big save in the 14th minute as Luttmer was denied again, but the Knights continued to threaten from set-pieces throughout the first half.
The best chance of the game arrived in the 22nd minute when Nick Mearns earned his side a penalty. Ashton Pacey-Mayne was caught in possession in his own 18-yard box, and his attempted clearance struck the leg of Mearns which sent the Knights striker to the ground. Referee Brenton Kopra had no choice but to point to the spot, however Luttmer stepped up to take the resulting penalty and sent his effort wide of the upright as the deadlock remained unbroken.
The Warriors had the backing of a strong contingent of fans in the KGV crowd, and Luttmer’s penalty miss had the supporters in raptures, lighting a fire under their players. They responded with a solid 20 minutes to see out the half on level terms, the only real opportunity falling to Nick Naden who failed to find the target from a close-range header in the 37th minute.
Half Time: Glenorchy Knights 0 Olympia Warriors 0
Naden had another opportunity early in the second half when Mearns’ effort was saved by Hoysted and the rebound fell to his feet. Naden’s bad luck in front of goal continued when his first-time effort sailed over the bar and the Warriors were let off the hook yet again. In the absence of Jake Vandermay, Joel Sammut stepped into the Warriors’ defence and was assigned the role of man-marking Austin Yost. Sammut’s former teammate was barely given an inch under his watchful eye, and his only real chance of the game arrived in the 64th minute.
The ball pinballed around the area with shot after shot failing to hit the mark, until it was recycled back out the edge of the box. A long ball was sent back into the area where it met the head of Yost, whose looping effort had the beating of Hoysted but was kept out by the crossbar and was gathered gratefully by the Warriors’ goalkeeper. The Knights continued to create chances throughout the second half, but they were repeatedly denied by a combination of bad luck and stubborn defending.
Rob Clarke made his intentions clear with 15 minutes remaining when he gave his side the order to find the corner flag when in possession. A frustrated Glenorchy Knights continued to press with majority of their attacking possession coming from wide positions, but despite Mearns and Naden both getting on the end of several crosses from good positions, they failed to find the net. Tyler Harrison started to pick up the ball further forward in an attempt to find a breakthrough. His 78th minute cross found Mearns in the centre whose header once again missed the target.
The Warriors created a rare opportunity of their own in stoppage time, but a deflection took the effort wide of the mark as Kopra blew the final whistle to confirm the points would be shared.
Full Time: Glenorchy Knights 0 Olympia Warriors 0
With three games remaining, the Knights find themselves three points behind the first-placed Devonport Strikers. With an inferior goal difference, the Knights will now require a perfect scenario where the Strikers drop points against either South Hobart or Kingborough Lions if they are to have a chance at the NPL Tasmania title. The Olympia Warriors remain in sixth place.
NPL Tasmania Round 18
Kingborough Lions 4-2 Riverside Olympic
South Hobart 4-0 Clarence Zebras
Glenorchy Knights 0-0 Olympia Warriors
Devonport Strikers 3-0 Launceston City