The Hobart Zebras have set up a showdown with Olympia for the 2019 Women’s Super League title after downing South Hobart 10-0 at Darcy Street on Sunday.
The league leaders piled the pressure on the home side, with three goals to Allie Berry and a double to both Georgia Burt and Zoe Nichols helping the visitors to a convincing win.
Whilst the Zebras were clear favourites going into the contest it was South Hobart who had a fantastic opening chance. It came after Ingram traveled down the left, played the ball to Djakic who then played the ball across the box to Choi, however the number 17 failed to finish.
After some opening minutes of South possession, the Zebras soon clicked into gear and Kannegiesser’s fourth minute shot looked sure to be going in, however it hit the inside of the crossbar before being cleared off the line. Despite this missed chance the Zebras were celebrating not long after, when Georgia Burt struck well after receiving the ball from Allie Berry, moving the score to 1-0 with nine minutes played.
Now with a one goal lead the visitors set out in search of expanding their score, Danielle Kanegiesser started to find space on the wing and Lily Hulton hit a shot over the bar, before the Zebras would find another goal.
Eleven minutes after their opening goal the Zebras found another when South keeper Georgia Mcmullen spilled the ball. Lily Hulton then pounced on this chance, doubling her sides lead, and just two minutes later they struck again. The Zebras third goal came from a Georgia Burt rocket into the top corner of the net, extending the lead to 3-0 with just 23 minutes played.
With three goals scored the Zebras did not take their foot off the pedal and continued to push for another goal. Kannegiesser hit over the bar, before Ferrier’s shot was cleared and Zoe Nichols rattled the crossbar with a header, but it wasn’t long before they hit the target again.
In the 27thminute Hulton found Kannegiesser who hit the ball goalwards. Allie Berry then followed up this attempt, moving the score to 4-0. Two minutes after this goal and South had a chance almost identical to their first of the game. This time it was Gadon who played the ball across the box with Choi just missing again.
This missed opportunity proved to be costly as the Zebras piled more pressure on the home side. Berry, Ferrier and Kannegiesser each tested Mcmullen before Nichols broke through, sliding the ball past Mcmullen to extend the Zebras lead to 5-0.
Three minutes after this goal the Zebras were gifted another when Berry was brought down in the box. This challenge saw the referee point to the spot, and Selina Steventon stood up and converted well, moving the score to 6-0. This was how the score remained at half time, with the Zebras holding a commanding lead as the teams went into the sheds.
The second half started much like the first ended with the Zebras hungry for more goals. Mcmullen produced a great save just one minute into the half, whilst Zoe Nichols hit wide moments after coming back on the pitch due to an injury. South Hobart had a chance of their own soon after when Choi and Gadon combined, however the shot went just wide of the goal.
This was another great chance for South to hit one back and the Zebras soon made them pay, with some great passing play in the 62ndminute. This zig-zag of possession led to Allie Berry finding her second goal of the match, moving the score to 7-0. The Zebras had two more goals just seven minutes later, when Nichols struck into the bottom corner and Ferrier followed up a Mcmullen save to extend the lead to 9-0.
Mcmullen produced a good save four minutes after this goal, before Berry missed a great opportunity from inside the box. Ingram had the chance to find a consolation goal for South not long after, before a defensive mistake almost gifted the Zebras another goal.
It wasn’t long before the Zebras did break through again, with Berry chipping the ball over her opponents and into the back of the net. This goal completed her hat-trick and moved the score to 10-0 which is how it remained, setting up a mouth-watering clash against Olympia for the title next week.
Speaking post-match Zebras coach Chris Hey was happy with his sides first half but believed his side became “too casual” in the second. He said that it will be difficult to transition from a convincing win to facing Olympia next week, and whilst his side got a big victory, they must be hungrier for the ball if they are to down the Warriors.
South Hobart coach Craig Westwood was happy that his side created a number of chances and said that the next step was to begin to take these. He spoke of how the majority of players should be returning next season and with the addition of some players currently playing in the under 15 boys league, his side will continue to develop young talent next year.
Next week South Hobart take on Ulverstone, 2:30pm on Saturday in Ulverstone. Meanwhile the Zebras take on Olympia for the title, 2pm on Saturday at KGV.