It started as a scrappy game in blustery conditions, but by the end of the night Hobart United players and fans were dancing on the field after a 3-1 win over University to claim the Southern Championship title.
High winds wreaked havoc throughout and caused issues for both sides, but a goal to Francis King Kenyi on the stroke of half time saw Hobart grab the momentum and never relinquish it. Jackson Khasif and John Buga added to the lead after the break, and despite a late penalty to University they were able to hold their nerve and win the title in style in front of a raucous crowd at KGV.
Hobart United came into the game with a two point lead on the table, meaning a draw would be enough for them to walk away champions. That looked to be the most likely outcome for most of the first half, as neither team was able to execute their gameplan in tough conditions. Hobart looked to play the ball long to their forwards but were stopped time and time again by the strong headwind, while University saw countless passes pushed off course as they tried to build from the back.
King Kenyi looked like the biggest threat early, firing at goal at every opportunity and forcing a pair of saves from University gloveman Elliot Hoystead. Despite the obvious threat, he was still the man that broke the deadlock moments before half time with a goal befitting of such a scrappy contest.
Some tidy interplay on the left wing saw Jackson Khasif played into space down the left, and with time to cross he sent a low ball to the penalty spot. Kenyi timed his run perfectly but saw his first shot blocked and his second and third attempts saved, before he finally was able to poke it home from point-blank range.
Facing what was essentially a two goal deficit in the context of the title race, University were forced to chase the game and started brightly after the break. A stinging shot 30 seconds after the restart forced the first real save from Moses Khasif, and a quick counterattack shortly after almost found Kenneth Trac in on goal.
With extra numbers pushing forward, though, University left a hole in the midfield that was promptly punished by a pair of swift attacks from Hobart United. There was a slice of luck in the first, as Jackson Khasif swung a ball into the box that was narrowly missed by the sliding Buga but drifted past the goalkeeper and into the bottom corner. They buried the game less than ten minutes later, as a brilliant ball from Joseph Mwarabu on the right found the run of John Buga who tapped it home from the six yard box to put one hand on the championship trophy.
Facing a huge mountain to climb after the third goal, University threw everything at the United defence and enjoyed their best stretch of the game. Forward Samuel Fahey suddenly came alive and threatened to single-handedly drag his team back into the contest, as he forced two quick saves from Khasif and then crossed dangerously after leaving three defenders in his wake. The ball bounced from end to end as University attacked with gusto and Hobart tried to exploit them on the counter.
Hobart almost grabbed a fourth goal after a long ball from Moses Khasif was headed on before landing at the top of the area. Hoysted came off his line to collect it but was beaten to it by his defender who promptly turned it over, leaving an open net for Buga to shoot at that he somehow missed.
The resulting goal kick was sent long and sparked a University counter that ended with Fahey winning the ball in the area. As he tried to cross from the byline he was cut down by a tackle from behind, and the referee pointed to the spot without hesitation. Fahey stepped up and buried the spot kick to keep the door slightly ajar with 15 minutes remaining.
If conceding made Hobart United nervous at all it didn't show, as they were able to slow the pace of the game and run the clock down expertly. The final ten minutes passed with no real chances at either end, as they defended resolutely at one end and held possession whenever possible at the other.
Their fans grew louder and louder as the final whistle neared, before finally erupting when it blew to confirm their status as champions. After the trophy presentations concluded, those fans flooded onto the pitch to join their players in jubilant celebration in what was a fitting end to a fantastic season in the Southern Championship.