South Hobart took full advantage of treacherous Tasmanian weather to extend their lead at the top of NPL Tasmania.
On a day when all other fixtures were postponed due to heavy rain, the unbeaten ladder leaders called KGV home for the second time in four days to dispatch fourth-placed Kingborough 4-1.
With D’Arcy Street joining Clarence’s Wentworth Park, Launceston United’s Birch Avenue and Riverside’s Windsor Park as being too wet to host games, the match of the round was hastily relocated to take advantage of Glenorchy’s synthetic pitch.
And Max Clarke’s men wasted little time bouncing back from their Australia Cup exit at the same venue, taking a first-minute lead and never looking back.
With the luxury of being able to rest Cup goal-scoring star Kobe Kemp, South’s strength in depth enabled them to cruise to a 3-0 half-time lead.
Top scorer Nick Morton hit the early opener and doubled the lead with his 18th goal of the season, heading in a free kick from Adam Gorrie who then proceeded to treble his tally for the season.
On the half-hour the full-back drilled home from near the penalty spot and added a second midway through the second half when his right-wing cross drifted over unfortunate keeper Masatoshi Kawano into the far corner.
By this stage Jon Fenech’s Kingborough had reduced the arrears although even that goal was claimed by South Hobart.
With strike figurehead Noah Mies unable to add to his 11 goals in six games, Lions’ best chances came through their wingers and it was the dangerous Max Pollara whose cross from the left was headed past his own keeper by South defender Jacob Lancaster.
It represented a rare threat from the visitors who would have lost by more had Patrick Ayoul’s early poach not been ruled out for offside or sub Oliver White not been denied in stoppage time by Kawano.
South’s 12th win from 15 games took their lead to eight points over in-form Launceston City who now have a game in hand.
No games were played in the Women’s Super League in which Glenorchy had the bye.
All postponed fixtures will be rescheduled.
Image: South Hobart's Eli Wright jumps a sliding tackle from Kingborough's Rowan Pitt. Picture by Nikki Long.