South Hobart moved within striking distance of third place on the table as they downed the Kingborough Lions 3-1 on Sunday afternoon at Darcy Street. Two goals in the space of two first half minutes, coming from Eliane Fader and Misty Olsen set up the victory and despite Laura Davis continuing her recent good scoring form to pull one back for the Lions, Isabella Declerck made sure of the result with her goal 8 minutes from full time.
A familiar Kingborough starting XI hit the field, with Eva Edwards and Airlee Lawson again tasked at the heart of defence, and Davis leading the line in attack. A handful of changes for South Hobart saw Mary Coy slotting into midfield for Lucy Roberts and Charlotte Ingram on the right flank as Pishon Choi started on the bench.
The early moments of the match hinted at what was to come as it was South Hobart with the jump, looking threatening while the Lions were unable to capitalise on any possession in midfield. Isabelle Dadswell saw off the first bit of danger in the fourth minute with Bridie Cooling denied before Misty Olsen’s header from the resulting corner was just wide of the far post.
The following ten minutes was confined to the midfield, with neither side particularly able to get things motoring in the final third. An opportunity arrived for Kingborough from a foul drawn by a mix of good combinations and Christabelle Moore trying to dribble a few yards forward. The Isabelle De Smit free kick was headed with conviction by Paris Menadue, but South managed to block the effort. Dead balls were Kingborough’s most convincing threat early, with an Amy Ollington corner finding a free Davis in the area, who took on the quick shot but she too couldn't find the back of the net.
From open play the Lions struggled to play past the defensive sea of Red, unable to move the ball quick enough or strike the right pass to get past the last line. South Hobart took a different route to goal, seeking to turn the ball over high and counter or find a ball in behind.
With the chances tally veering to the advantage of the home side, they eventually broke through. Moments earlier, Davis had stolen the ball from the defender, but was too trigger shy to capitalise. Her opponents had no such hesitation. Half an hour in, Fader arrived at the back post and opened the scoring after Olivia Gardner was unable to put a strong enough hand to clear Olsen’s cross.
The gas was well and truly on and South knocked a couple more times before Olsen exposed the Lions back post woes again. Another cross from South’s right-hand side, and an inability to clear the area and Olsen there to reap the rewards with the finish.
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A reply to South’s two quick goals was searched for, however none was found as the half time whistle blew.
Hope for the Lions arrived soon after the match's restart. Davis was released behind the defence. With space away from the pair of centre backs, the Lions forward found the composed finish to pick out the bottom corner, setting up a second half chase at 2-1.
The confidence boost of the early goal saw the Lions combining well. On the hour mark Davis brought out the dancing shoes to maneuver around her markers and pull off a shot. Otherwise Kingborough struggled to break South down who seemingly always had bodies behind the ball.
Up the other end, Cooling was leading the charge for South to ensure none of her defensive opponents had time on the ball. The young forward nearly reaped her reward, having picked the ball off her centre back and surged into the area with pace. Cooling lacked the finish from the 1v1, unable to find the target.
South’s confidence grew into the half, with another surge of prime opportunities arriving at the tail end of the match. With ten minutes to go, Charlotte Ingram rounded the keeper, but was heavily tracked and had to settle for a corner. The corresponding corner saw Cooling rise for a thundering header that whacked the crossbar.
The security of a two goal buffer soon arrived 82 minutes in. Substitute Isabella Declerck was in the right spot when it mattered most, winning the rebound in the area for a near post finish.
Davis forced an over the head parry by Georgia McMullen, which triggered a quick transition and a save down the other end, all in the final moments of the match.
The full time whistle sounded and South Hobart returned to winning ways in a timely fashion, while Kingborough slipped up on the chance to surge up the ladder. South made life uncomfortable for Kingborough, exposing the Lions struggle to defend scraps in the box. While South’s defence dealt with Kingborough’s combinations with confidence, as the Lions struggled to play quick enough to threaten as often as opportunities begged for.
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A reply to South’s two quick goals was searched for, however none was found as the half time whistle blew.
Hope for the Lions arrived soon after the match's restart. Davis was released behind the defence. With space away from the pair of centre backs, the Lions forward found the composed finish to pick out the bottom corner, setting up a second half chase at 2-1.
The confidence boost of the early goal saw the Lions combining well. On the hour mark Davis brought out the dancing shoes to maneuver around her markers and pull off a shot. Otherwise Kingborough struggled to break South down who seemingly always had bodies behind the ball.
Up the other end, Cooling was leading the charge for South to ensure none of her defensive opponents had time on the ball. The young forward nearly reaped her reward, having picked the ball off her centre back and surged into the area with pace. Cooling lacked the finish from the 1v1, unable to find the target.
South’s confidence grew into the half, with another surge of prime opportunities arriving at the tail end of the match. With ten minutes to go, Charlotte Ingram rounded the keeper, but was heavily tracked and had to settle for a corner. The corresponding corner saw Cooling rise for a thundering header that whacked the crossbar.
The security of a two goal buffer soon arrived 82 minutes in. Substitute Isabella Declerck was in the right spot when it mattered most, winning the rebound in the area for a near post finish.
Davis forced an over the head parry by Georgia McMullen, which triggered a quick transition and a save down the other end, all in the final moments of the match.
The full time whistle sounded and South Hobart returned to winning ways in a timely fashion, while Kingborough slipped up on the chance to surge up the ladder. South made life uncomfortable for Kingborough, exposing the Lions struggle to defend scraps in the box. While South’s defence dealt with Kingborough’s combinations with confidence, as the Lions struggled to play quick enough to threaten as often as opportunities begged for.
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