https://youtu.be/yIDv-YyWek4
The NPL title hopes of the Glenorchy Knights may have been dealt a fatal blow, as a 1-1 draw with South Hobart saw them fall six points behind the league leaders.
On the same day that the first-placed Devonport Strikers squeaked out a narrow win, the Knights struggled to break through South's defence before falling behind to a Kobe Kemp header. Alex Walter levelled the scores just minutes later, but his side couldn't muster a second goal to stay close in the title race. They had a handful of chances, but South goalkeeper Mark Moncur stood tall to earn a point for the visitors.
The game kicked off at a frantic pace with plenty of end-to-end action but few chances through the opening exchanges. Glenorchy had the best of the play and Walter loomed large with the first two shots of the day, the first sliding wide and the second creeping just over the crossbar. South certainly didn't look out of their depth, though, and they had the best early chance when Nick Morton forced a spectacular diving save from Lachlan Hart.
The visitors were dealt a blow when Andy Brennan limped from the field just before the half-hour mark, and the Knights looked to take advantage as they continued to press. Walter continued to show his full array of skills, with a stunning burst of speed and run down the wing only halted by a sharp save from Moncur. That was matched once again by South just before the half-time whistle, as a Kobe Kemp free kick looked certain to sneak in at the far post until Hart sprung to his left and palmed it away.
The scores remained level at the break, with Knights holding an advantage in possession but South going closest to breaking the deadlock. That looked set to continue after the restart as Nick Morton worked his way into the contest, with two efforts drifting just centimetres over the top and one landing in the arms of Hart. The ball continued to zip from end to end favouring the pace of Walter and Joffrey Nkoso, and they pressed relentlessly to keep the South defence under consistent pressure. Walter again forced Moncur into action just after the hour mark, with the gloveman racing off his line to halt his chase of a long ball behind the defence.
Those efforts all mattered for naught less than 15 minutes from full-time as South finally broke the deadlock through a captain's goal. A corner from Sam Berezansky was headed clear, but the rebound fell straight back to the young winger with time to cross again. His second effort curled to the back post where Kobe Kemp rose in traffic and headed home.
It was a hard-earned lead, but it lasted all of two minutes as the hosts quickly struck back. A quick break down the left saw Jack Bowman streaming into space, and he sent a sweeping cross into the area. A strong run from Walter saw him meet the ball in stride, and his header flew past Moncur and levelled the contest once again.
The Knights continued to press for a winner and had chances to snatch it, as Nkoso fired wide and both Walter and Thomas Bellini drew saves from Moncur. They couldn't find a winner though, and while a draw was a fair result after an entertaining contest they would have surely been disappointed given the ramifications on the league table. They will now be relying on a Strikers slip-up while taking care of business themselves, starting with next week's clash against Riverside Olympic. For South, they will make the trip to Lightwood Park to face their mid-table rivals Kingborough under lights next round.