The Hobart Zebras have produced a dominant performance, downing Clarence 10-0 at KGV on Saturday.
A hattrick to Lily Hulton, along with doubles to Allie Berry and Zoe Nichols helped the home sides cause, with Keilin Fagan, Isabella Ferrier and Danielle Kannegiesser each adding a goal of their own to the end result.
The game started with an early Zebras attack, with the ball falling straight into the arms of Clarence keeper Amelia Vanderneit. This was followed up by great through balls from Burt, Nichols and Berry, before the Zebras found the early breakthrough they were looking for.
In the 4th minute, a great through ball cut open the Clarence defence and Allie Berry was the recipient, with the Zebras number seven hitting the ball past the keeper and putting her side 1-0 up.
This fast start would continue as the Zebras pushed for a second goal, with Berry and Burt combining well up front. This push soon led to another goal, with the Zebras’ lead doubling in the 12th minute. This goal came from some great passing play from the home team, with a Lily Hulton pass putting Zoe Nichols through. Nichols then finished well, moving the score to 2-0.
In the 15thminute it was Clarence’s Jess Downham who hit a shot wide, before Madeline O’Brien forced a save from Shelley Cook. Twelve minutes after this chance and it was Isabella Ferrier who had a great opportunity, with her shot bouncing off the underside of the bar but failing to cross the line.
Not long after this chance and the Zebras found the back of the net again. On the half hour mark the Zebras won a corner after Ferrier forced a save from Vanderneit. This corner was crossed into the box with Lily Hulton finding herself on the end of it, putting the hosts 3-0 up.
Five minutes later the Zebras were celebrating again, this time after Zoe Nichols was brought down at the top of the box. The resulting set piece was a great show of skill from the home side, with a series of passes finding its way to Zoe Nichols who moved her side to a 4-0 lead.
A minute later and it was Clarence on the attack, with Downham having a shot deflected out. Both sides then had chances, before the referee blew the whistle to signal halftime, with the scoring sitting at 4-0 in favour of the Zebras.
Not long after the second half kicked off and the Zebras found the back of the net again, with Nichols playing the ball to Kannegiesser. Kannegiesser had produced a great run down the left to get on the end of the pass before finishing well, moving the score to 5-0.
In the 56th minute Zoe Nichols found herself through on goal. Nichols then forced a great save from Vanderneit, however the ball spilled out in front of Berry who had followed the shot up well, finishing with ease and seeing her side go 6-0 up.
The Zebras then continued to push for more goals, with a Hulton shot rattling the crossbar before Berry hit off target from distance. This push for another goal was soon successful, with Lily Hulton hitting her second goal of the game after a Zebras corner, moving the score to 7-0.
With the clock ticking over the home side kept their foot on the gas, and they soon made it 8-0. This goal was sparked from some good Zebras build up play, before Isabella Ferrier finished well.
In the 75thminute Emily Grizinic missed a great opportunity for the Reds, before hitting another off target just a minute later. Vanderneit then produces a good save to deny Fagan, but the Zebras number 22 soon found the back of the net.
This goal happened after Allie Berry found herself running with the ball. Berry then played the ball across the box to find Fagan who struck the ball well into the back of the net, to make it 9-0.
Not long after and it was Lily Hulton who completed her hat-trick. Striking the ball over the keeper’s head after receiving a good pass from Berry.
Soon after the referee blew his whistle, seeing the Zebras walk away 10-0 winners.
Speaking post-match Zebras coach Chris Hey was “happy with his sides overall performance”. He was happy that his side maintained its intensity throughout the 90 minutes and did not drop off like many teams do.
Clarence coach Dale Maundrill was disappointed with the result, but happy with some of the passages of play his side produced. He identified that a number of goals his side conceded were due to quick breaks of play which his side could not deal with.
The win sees the Zebras maintain second position and in the hunt for the title, whilst Clarence stay in fifth place. The next round sees both teams play on the first of June, with the Zebras heading to Darcy Street to take on South Hobart at 2pm. Meanwhile Clarence host Ulverstone at Wentworth Park, 2:30pm.