South Hobart travelled to KGV to meet NPL newcomers Glenorchy Knights last night and showed their patience and experience in a 3-0 victory. After a goalless first half, South Hobart proved the stronger team after the break and managed to wear down the persistent Knights defence on the hour mark before the dismissal of George Hallard proved to be the turning point in what had the potential to be a cagey affair.
Knights were without a number of senior players with the continued absence of Callum Brown, Jack Kupsch, Tom Young and Tommy Bellini, as well as work commitments meaning Lachie Hart was replaced by Dimitri Nester in goals. Despite this, both teams went into the half on level terms mainly due to the goalkeeping heroics of Nester. Knights absorbed a lot of pressure in the first half resulting in South Hobart continually knocking at the door but finding no answer until on the half an hour mark when the game started to come alive.
It was Knights who had the first real chance as a loose ball fell to Nowicki in the box, who chose to strike the ball first time. Jack Bowman managed a deflection on the shot which almost worked in favour of the home side as the result was a looping effort into the crossbar. Then, in the 32nd minute, Darcy Hall got himself involved on the left flank and sent a ball into the feet of Desouza who cleverly slipped it through to an unmarked Turner setting up the first of many meetings between Nester and the South Hobart striker. Nester came out on top as he palmed away the goal-bound effort.
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Desouza was a constant goal threat-Solstice Photography[/caption]
Gorrie was next to try his luck as he flashed a shot just wide from distance, followed by Desouza who lined up a 20-yard curler that brought out the best from Nester as he dove to his left, turning the ball past the post. Jack Turner then had the final chance of the half as he saw another good opportunity saved by the impressive Knights shot-stopper.
South Hobart finally broke the deadlock on the 54th minute as Gorrie showed his pace on the right. He beat Luke Warrener to the ball and sent another tempting cross low and hard across the face of goal where it was met by Alex Walter who made no mistake steering the ball home and giving his side the lead. South Hobart were then thrown another bone as George Hallard, booked for an earlier challenge on Walter, saw his second slice of cheddar and the resulting red card when he charged through the back of Jack Turner just past the hour. This was following the departure of his centre back partner Tyler Harrison due to injury meaning Knights were forced into a makeshift back four.
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Hallard is given his marching orders-Solstice Photography[/caption]
Jack Turner then made the Knights' job all the more difficult by scoring South Hobart's second following another low cross to the back post, this time from Desouza.
The Knights had a chance to pull one back when Naden found himself in behind the largely untested South Hobart defence with fifteen minutes remaining. His headed effort had the beating of Kieran Brown but it trickled past the post to the groans of the home fans. Linesman Tony Peart was then forced to make a decision on substitute Ben Hamlett's shot which rattled the crossbar, bounced on the goal-line and hit the bar again before returning into play. Peart shook his head and play resumed as the South Hobart coaching staff were adamant it has crossed the line.
Nick Morton put the game beyond doubt in the 90th minute when he benefited from the miscommunication between Warrener and Nester putting the ball into the empty net and securing the three points for South Hobart. South Hobart now find themselves on top of the table pending the result of today's clash between Devonport Strikers and Clarence United at Valley Road while Knights will be relying on an Olympia Warrior's loss to keep them in the top four.
Desouza was a constant goal threat-Solstice Photography[/caption]
Gorrie was next to try his luck as he flashed a shot just wide from distance, followed by Desouza who lined up a 20-yard curler that brought out the best from Nester as he dove to his left, turning the ball past the post. Jack Turner then had the final chance of the half as he saw another good opportunity saved by the impressive Knights shot-stopper.
South Hobart finally broke the deadlock on the 54th minute as Gorrie showed his pace on the right. He beat Luke Warrener to the ball and sent another tempting cross low and hard across the face of goal where it was met by Alex Walter who made no mistake steering the ball home and giving his side the lead. South Hobart were then thrown another bone as George Hallard, booked for an earlier challenge on Walter, saw his second slice of cheddar and the resulting red card when he charged through the back of Jack Turner just past the hour. This was following the departure of his centre back partner Tyler Harrison due to injury meaning Knights were forced into a makeshift back four.
[caption id="attachment_10204" align="alignnone" width="533"] Hallard is given his marching orders-Solstice Photography[/caption]
Jack Turner then made the Knights' job all the more difficult by scoring South Hobart's second following another low cross to the back post, this time from Desouza.
The Knights had a chance to pull one back when Naden found himself in behind the largely untested South Hobart defence with fifteen minutes remaining. His headed effort had the beating of Kieran Brown but it trickled past the post to the groans of the home fans. Linesman Tony Peart was then forced to make a decision on substitute Ben Hamlett's shot which rattled the crossbar, bounced on the goal-line and hit the bar again before returning into play. Peart shook his head and play resumed as the South Hobart coaching staff were adamant it has crossed the line.
Nick Morton put the game beyond doubt in the 90th minute when he benefited from the miscommunication between Warrener and Nester putting the ball into the empty net and securing the three points for South Hobart. South Hobart now find themselves on top of the table pending the result of today's clash between Devonport Strikers and Clarence United at Valley Road while Knights will be relying on an Olympia Warrior's loss to keep them in the top four.