Launceston City registered their first league win of the season in the most emphatic of style as they put Clarence to the sword in a 5-0 thumping. City picked up right where they left off in the Lakoseljac Cup and they appear to have turned a corner, as led by fine attacking displays from Williams, Compagne and Kamano they dominated the contest.

The first half hour of the game was a dour affair, bogged down in midfield with neither side able to get much penetration or create chances of note. Shots from range appeared either sides only avenue to goal an neither had been able to conjure one to cause either keeper significant problems. Clarence were probably shading the contest but they did have the wind at their backs. Dylan Williams and Andrew Compagne were both looking likely however and it wouldn’t be long before those 2 made their mark on the scoreboard.

Compagne runs at Stevens- Solstice Photography

On 38 minutes, Williams took the ball in the middle and tore off to the right of the box, beating a defender in the process before sliding the ball to the back post where Kamano was waiting to stroke home the opening goal.

Bremner tried to pull it back immediately when he took the ball on the edge of the box and fired on the turn, but his effort was straight at Smith.

There was to be another goal before the break though and again Williams was the architect, crossing perfectly for Compagne who capped a superb first half with a goal, thumping his header home to provide a two goal buffer heading into the sheds.

Any hopes of a second half fightback were quickly put to bed in the second half as Compagne helped himself to a second goal early on. A blocked shot deflected into his path at the back post and he smashed a volley in to make it 3-0.

Compagne smashes in his second of the day- Solstice Photography

That seemed to deflate the Reds players and it further buoyed a Launceston City side who had a scent of their first league win and they weren’t about to relent, making it 4-0 moments later. Isaac Degetto was given too much space and he stroked it home underneath the keeper to extend City’s advantage and all but finish the contest.

Clarence occasionally threatened as the game went through the motions but couldn’t breach a solid City defensive unit. Naden should have scored when Hallard put a perfect corner onto his head but he nodded wide from close range.

Moment’s later City poured some salt into the wound with a fifth and again an inspired Dylan Williams was the provider. This time putting a dangerous ball into the box where Kamano beat Randall in the air and guided a header home for his second of the day.

City’s day was soured somewhat by an injury late in the game to Dylan O’Connor, who limped off after putting in his best performance of the season, winning all that came his way as a centre back and distributing the ball well.

Jake Stuart should have pulled back a consolation marker with the final kick of the game, but he fired over the top having done the hard work to round Smith in a play that summed up the day for Clarence. This is one they will need to quickly put behind them, especially with an Eastern Shore Derby coming up next week.

For City, they have definitely turned a corner since that South Hobart defeat and the style they played with in this game was eye catching. Their goals were all from nice build up play and quality football.

A delighted Ben Brookfield agreed that his side has turned a corner in the past fortnight.

“It was a long time coming, to get the win playing good football like that was icing on the cake.”

“I think we’ve found our identity, which is to outwork the opponent.”

“We’ve been trying to play this way all season, but it’s actually having some substance with it, the hardness, tackling, and the dirty bits to go along with it.”

Clarence Assistant Coach Garry Burgess admitted it was a disappointing showing from the side.

“It was (dissappointing) we had the plan that we needed to keep the ball, and when we did keep the ball we looked better but too often we just hit it long like last week.”

“In training, the guys do it and do it well, but when we get onto game day, we’re switching off.”

“We can take a couple of little things from the game, if we keep the ball on the deck we look a lot better.”