It wasn't pretty, but the Olympia Warriors scrapped their way past South Hobart to claim a 3-1 win and move back into top spot on the NPL TAS table. In a physical game that never reached any great heights, the Warriors eventually overcame their rivals to chalk up a seventh victory in a row and throw the pressure back on Devonport ahead of Sunday's clash with the Hobart Zebras.
The early going was a dour grind, with both sides struggling to maintain possession of the ball, due to the furious closing down of the ball carrier and both sides focus on playing direct.
It took 20 minutes for the first genuine chance to emerge, as Bay Kurtz broke up a threatening counter attack and worked the ball forward. The ball fell to Jonathan Mulungula in the box and the returning youngster made no mistake, hammering his shot home to open the scoring.
That would be the Warriors only shot of the first half, but it would be enough to send them into the sheds with a lead.
South started to lift later on in the half and came close to equalising. First Kyle Mcdonald was forced into a sharp save from a Declan Foley blast from outside the box that was hit with serious venom. A minute later Bradley Lakoseljac volleyed a shot over the bar after some promising build up play out wide.
Those were rare moments though, as a combination of the ground dimensions and a lack of natural wide players in the South side meant they lacked their usual threat from the wings.
After a sleepy first half, Nick Mearns almost provided a jolt start to proceedings in the second half when he absolutely belted a shot from 30 yards that dipped onto the crossbar to deny him a stunning goal.
The game quickly fell back into the pattern of the first half however, with plenty of physical challenges flying in. Midfield talisman Jordan Scott again came in for some close attention, with Declan Foley doing a very physical man marking job on him.
Just before the hour mark South drew level as a set piece from Morton found Loic Feral at the back post. The Warriors defence were sucked to him, leaving Bradley Lakoseljac all alone in the six yard box. Feral headed it back to him, where the youngster did superbly to redirect it home with what can only be described as a 'Zlatanesque' finish.
With 20 minutes left to play, the Warriors went up a gear and reclaimed the lead. Having denied Cook with a super leg save at the back post seconds earlier, Graham Wright then denied Nkoso's header from the resulting corner, but scooped it back towards the Warriors striker in the process. Nkoso buried his second header and restored his sides lead.
On 82 minute South could have had a penalty when Lucas Hill fouled Ben Hamlett, which seemed to be just inside the box, but was adjudged to have been outside. It came in a period where South were getting plenty of balls into the area but not generating scoring chances from them.
Then in stoppage time, Jack Ryan iced the game. Out-muscling Jack Bowman, the Englishman spied Graham Wright off his line and deftly lobbed him with a sweet stroke of the left boot.
The front-man raised his arms in celebration and was mobbed by overjoyed teammates, the relief clear for all to see, as the Warriors secured the victory and top spot in the process.
All eyes now turn to KGV on Sunday, where Devonport will look to reclaim top spot ahead of next weekend's showdown at Valley Road with the Warriors in what looms as the most decisive fixture of the season.
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