It was a triumphant return to Darcy Street for Kobe Kemp, as the midfield star led South Hobart to a 4-1 win over Launceston City with a stunning brace.
After starting the season with Caroline Springs George Cross FC, Kemp re-signed with South during the week and wasted no time settling back into the lineup. His two goals capped off a dominant performance across the park, as Nick Morton and Alex Walter also netted in South's final tune-up ahead of the FFA Cup Round of 32 next week. A late consolation goal from Noah Mies was the only real positive for Launceston City, and an injury concern to goalkeeper Lachlan Clark will give them cause for concern during the week.
South were switched on from the opening kickoff, and they had plenty of chances to go ahead in the early exchanges. Only some excellent goalkeeping from Clark kept the game level, as he denied Walter, Morton and Bradley Lakoseljac inside the opening ten minutes. The Launceston gloveman was given plenty to do by his defenders, as they tried to play the ball out from the back but struggled to hit their targets and maintain possession.
That proved to be their undoing, as South first goal came from a Launceston turnover in their defensive third. The ball ended up with Morton and after beating his marker far too easily he was able to waltz into the area and slide a shot past Clark and into the back of the net.
The lead appeared to further galvanise South, as they continued to press forward with intent. Morton and Hamlett were tireless in their running, while youngsters Lakoseljac and Samuel Berezansky were influential in the midfield. The hosts forced another string of saves from Clark before the half time whistle, but somehow they couldn't find a second goal before the break.
City had just one shot for the half, a speculative long-range effort from Mackenzie Hancox that was easily saved by Graham Wright. The stats told the story heading into half time, as South led the shot count 13-1 but somehow only held a one goal lead.
To make matters worse, City looked to have lost their saviour in net with the first play after the restart. Clark looked to cut out a through ball to Hamlett, and as the South striker tried to avoid him there was some incidental contact to the goalkeeper's head. After staying down for some time Clark got to his feet and continued playing, but was eventually forced from the field just after the hour mark.
There was time for some more heroics before then, though, as he again stopped Hamlett in his tracks. After a blocked City clearance the ball fell to Hamlett one-on-one with the 'keeper, but as he tried to dribble around the sprawling Clark he was stopped by a decisive touch off the glove.
South's disappointment was short-lived thanks to a brilliant strike from Kemp to open his account. A low ball across the goal spilled to Hamlett at the back of the area, and he cut it back for Kemp at the top of the box. Rather than take a touch, he hit a first-time shot with the outside of the boot that drifted past Clark and into the far top corner.
That goal seemed to rattle City's defenders even further, as South scored another far too easily less than two minutes later. Walter was played in on the right, and with an acre of space ahead he was able to advance into the area unchecked and fire home. Clark was substituted shortly after, adding injury to City's substantial insult and forcing outfielder Aaron Mattarozzi to take the gloves.
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The part-time 'keeper couldn't do much about South's fourth moments later, as Kemp snagged his second with another fantastic finish. A short corner routine ended with the ball at his feet around the edge of the area and on a tight angle. With very little open net to aim for, he rifled a bullet of a shot across the goal and into the far side netting to put the result beyond doubt.
South seemed content to slow the pace of the game as the final whistle approached, and that opened the door for City to grab a late consolation goal. It started with a sloppy turnover from Adam Gorrie in the backline, before a cross-field pass from Scott Murray found Noah Mies on the right. After beating his man with the first touch, he advanced at the goalkeeper and finished well to give City something to celebrate.
It proved to be far too little and far too late, though, as South ran down the last ten minutes with ease. The 4-1 scoreline at the final whistle could have been even more comprehensive for the hosts, but they'll take plenty of confidence from it into next Wednesday's clash with the Marconi Stallions.
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The part-time 'keeper couldn't do much about South's fourth moments later, as Kemp snagged his second with another fantastic finish. A short corner routine ended with the ball at his feet around the edge of the area and on a tight angle. With very little open net to aim for, he rifled a bullet of a shot across the goal and into the far side netting to put the result beyond doubt.
South seemed content to slow the pace of the game as the final whistle approached, and that opened the door for City to grab a late consolation goal. It started with a sloppy turnover from Adam Gorrie in the backline, before a cross-field pass from Scott Murray found Noah Mies on the right. After beating his man with the first touch, he advanced at the goalkeeper and finished well to give City something to celebrate.
It proved to be far too little and far too late, though, as South ran down the last ten minutes with ease. The 4-1 scoreline at the final whistle could have been even more comprehensive for the hosts, but they'll take plenty of confidence from it into next Wednesday's clash with the Marconi Stallions.