South Hobart got off to the perfect start for the 2017 NPL Season, comprehensively beating the Olympia Warriors 3-0 at Warrior Park on Friday night. After a tense opening half, South Hobart pounced on three defensive errors to take the three points back to the Western Shore and complete a successful raid. South Hobart’s full backs, Adam Gorrie and Liam Quaile starred for South Hobart whilst Alex Walter and Ben Hamlett scrambled hard up top to find goals.

The opening half was a somewhat dour affair with both teams pulling and prodding at one another trying to find a way past some stellar defensive efforts. Olympia probably just shaded South Hobart in terms of the better possession in the opening half, however it was South Hobart that had the best chance of the half.

South Hobart played a delightful set piece in the 21st minute that started just beyond their halfway line and ended up with Gorrie who played a neat ball across. The ball ended up with Hamlett in the mixer and as he was about to unleash a shot Paul Stevens denied him with a brilliant block. The rebound fell to another South striker and the resulting shot was well saved by Jakob Cole at the near post.

Olympia then took the ascendancy for the rest of the half but their interplay was lacking at times and they truly looked like a team that hadn’t played together a lot over the Summer. This was particularly evident in the second half when they often didn’t seem to be on the same page in the attacking half. Players were constantly running away from the ball carrier rather than offering feet and whilst this may work against lesser teams, the strength of South Hobart was never going to be troubled by the long ball, despite Shane Cartwright’s valiant efforts.

In the 51st minute, it was 1-0 to South Hobart. Thomas Little who had otherwise had a great game at the back for Olympia inexplicably faltered under the pressure of Hamlett and coughed the ball up at the edge of the 18 yard box. Hamlett had no concerns tucking it past Cole to make it 1-0 and wheeled off to celebrate the goal.

In the 54th minute, Olympia had their chance to get back into the game but Jacob Sklenar was denied by Graham Wright. The striker probably should have done better after being released just inside the right edge of the 18 yard box, but his shot was not angled enough and Wright was given a chance to save it. The rebound ended up with Alfred Hess at the edge of the box and he hooked a shot on target that caught Wright off his line. Wright back pedalled and dived to push the ball against the bar and back out of danger.

In the 73rd minute it was 2-0 to South Hobart as Nick Mearns attempted to pass out of defence in the air but too close to Walter. Walter managed to jump and header the ball over the top of Cole and into the back of the net to make it 2-0.

In the 76th minute, Lucas Hill was given his marching orders. Walter had broken through the lines of Olympia and was streaming through on goal when Hill grabbed him across the shoulders from behind and brought him down in what was a cynical professional foul. Referee Brenton Kopra had no choice but to send him from the field.

In the 77th minute, the resulting free kick was lashed home into the top right corner of the net by Kobe Kemp to make it 3-0.

The remaining minutes saw South Hobart’s superior fitness and team play keep Olympia at bay easily.

It was a disappointing night for Olympia and they’ll have a lot of soul searching to do in the coming weeks should they wish to find a way to challenge for the title. Too many players appeared to play as individuals at times and burnt much better options constantly. Instead of playing an early pass they at times held the ball too long and lost possession as a result.

Olympia coach Ian Shaw was happy with how his team played, “I thought we were fantastic. I mean a couple of defensive errors, gee whizz it happens all over the world.”

“We didn’t last the full 90 minutes.”

“I’m proud of the players.”

“I think we’re going to do well in the competition.”

Victorious South Hobart coach Ken Morton was pleased with his team, “I think it is a great way to start year. A very difficult game with two teams evenly matched out there.”

“I thought we did enough to win the game and get the three points.”

“Walter took his goal superbly and Kobe’s finish was special.”

“Quailey’s a super player… he’s running into his top form now.”