A brace from Matthew Pace ensured the Hobart Zebras defeated traditional rivals for the first time this NPL season, running out 4-2 winners at Warrior Park on Sunday to all but end Olympia’s title hopes.
The Zebras last trip to the eastern shores plastic pitch ended in a 3-1 defeat and a performance that coach David Smith labelled their worst of the season, so it's fair to say they were out for some redemption.
The Zebras started like they had something to prove; but just four minutes in disaster struck when Samuel Whatman received a back-pass, with his first touch being heavy and inviting Joffrey Nkoso in to challenge and force the ball into the goal.
[caption id="attachment_12887" align="alignnone" width="560"]
Nkoso with the opening goal- Solstice Photography[/caption]
Fired up though the Zebras would not allow the goal to get them down, managing to find an equaliser just two minutes later when Mathew Sanders slipped a pass in behind for Nicky Edwards whose left-footed strike beat Kyle McDonald in goal who managed to get a hand to it, but couldn’t keep the ball out.
The game was shaping up nicely with the Warriors keeping the ball through their four-man midfield although without threatening too much, while the Zebras looked dangerous going forward, particularly through their wingers in Pace and Edwards.
Chances for Jack Ryan and Nick Mearns of Olympia, and Luke Huigsloot and Edwards were unable to be capitalised on as half-time got nearer.
In the 36th minute the Zebras found a goal out of nowhere when Paul Stevens attempted to head the ball back to his keeper, but the effort was tame and allowed Pace to nip it and nick the ball before rolling it past McDonald and into the net to put his side ahead.
[caption id="attachment_12886" align="alignnone" width="573"]
Pace celebrates- Solstice Photography[/caption]
It would go from bad to worse for the Warriors when they conceded a third in first-half stoppage time; Jordan Muller lobbed a high ball that was guided goal-ward by the head of Huigsloot before McDonald parried it only as far as Sanders who hammered it home.
Olympia came out in the second-half looking determined to get themselves back in the match and the title race, and perhaps no one looked more fired up than the mastermind of their comeback down at the Den; Jordan Scott.
It was Scott’s corner that resulted in the Warriors second goal when it found Ryan whose miss-hit deflected to Lucas Hill at the back-post who buried the chance to get his team back in it.
The Warriors started to work Whatman in goal, the gloveman having to tip over a header from Ryan and a direct-corner from Scott, whilst also narrowly avoiding being lobbed by Nkoso.
In the 73rd the Zebras managed to get the killer blow on the counterattack when Sanders produced a brilliant cross-field switch to Pace whose first touch took him past his marker before dispatching his shot right up in the top-left corner to send the Zebras fans into raptures.
Olympia didn’t give in, but they wouldn’t be able to produce a miracle against a Zebras side who were good value for their lead and held on well until the final whistle.
David Smith was rapped with his team’s performance, labelling this trip to Warrior Park as one of their best performances of the season.
“I thought we were bloody good. I’d said all week that I wanted us to turn up this week and we did,”
“I think that first forty-five minutes was as good as we’ve played this year. In the second we took out foot off the gas a little, but Pacey’s goal really set us up and I’m really pleased to be honest.”
Rob Clarke was obviously upset but acknowledged that Zebras were hungrier.
“They didn’t tear us apart or get behind us or play through us but in the critical moments and the 50/50’s they were better.
Clarke conceded that the title race was over but that they had work to do.
“I hope we can do that (hold onto second place). I can’t fault the players for their hard work in training and that, I’m sure we’ll kick on.”
https://youtu.be/QDpHqPyfGSQ
Nkoso with the opening goal- Solstice Photography[/caption]
Fired up though the Zebras would not allow the goal to get them down, managing to find an equaliser just two minutes later when Mathew Sanders slipped a pass in behind for Nicky Edwards whose left-footed strike beat Kyle McDonald in goal who managed to get a hand to it, but couldn’t keep the ball out.
The game was shaping up nicely with the Warriors keeping the ball through their four-man midfield although without threatening too much, while the Zebras looked dangerous going forward, particularly through their wingers in Pace and Edwards.
Chances for Jack Ryan and Nick Mearns of Olympia, and Luke Huigsloot and Edwards were unable to be capitalised on as half-time got nearer.
In the 36th minute the Zebras found a goal out of nowhere when Paul Stevens attempted to head the ball back to his keeper, but the effort was tame and allowed Pace to nip it and nick the ball before rolling it past McDonald and into the net to put his side ahead.
[caption id="attachment_12886" align="alignnone" width="573"] Pace celebrates- Solstice Photography[/caption]
It would go from bad to worse for the Warriors when they conceded a third in first-half stoppage time; Jordan Muller lobbed a high ball that was guided goal-ward by the head of Huigsloot before McDonald parried it only as far as Sanders who hammered it home.
Olympia came out in the second-half looking determined to get themselves back in the match and the title race, and perhaps no one looked more fired up than the mastermind of their comeback down at the Den; Jordan Scott.
It was Scott’s corner that resulted in the Warriors second goal when it found Ryan whose miss-hit deflected to Lucas Hill at the back-post who buried the chance to get his team back in it.
The Warriors started to work Whatman in goal, the gloveman having to tip over a header from Ryan and a direct-corner from Scott, whilst also narrowly avoiding being lobbed by Nkoso.
In the 73rd the Zebras managed to get the killer blow on the counterattack when Sanders produced a brilliant cross-field switch to Pace whose first touch took him past his marker before dispatching his shot right up in the top-left corner to send the Zebras fans into raptures.
Olympia didn’t give in, but they wouldn’t be able to produce a miracle against a Zebras side who were good value for their lead and held on well until the final whistle.
David Smith was rapped with his team’s performance, labelling this trip to Warrior Park as one of their best performances of the season.
“I thought we were bloody good. I’d said all week that I wanted us to turn up this week and we did,”
“I think that first forty-five minutes was as good as we’ve played this year. In the second we took out foot off the gas a little, but Pacey’s goal really set us up and I’m really pleased to be honest.”
Rob Clarke was obviously upset but acknowledged that Zebras were hungrier.
“They didn’t tear us apart or get behind us or play through us but in the critical moments and the 50/50’s they were better.
Clarke conceded that the title race was over but that they had work to do.
“I hope we can do that (hold onto second place). I can’t fault the players for their hard work in training and that, I’m sure we’ll kick on.”
https://youtu.be/QDpHqPyfGSQ