South Hobart closed the gap to top spot to just 3 points with a resounding 4-1 win over the Olympia Warriors. Two goals from Renato De Vecchi Marins inside the opening 3 minutes of the game set up the victory as South extended their winning streak over Olympia to 11 games.

The game started with South on the ball early and it wasn’t long before they cracked the Olympia defence. In the first minute Nick Morton managed to play the ball wide to Renato De Vecchi Marins who hit the ball on his left foot over Brett Johnson’s head and into the top right corner of the goal, seeing South go 1-0 up with just a minute played.

It wasn’t long after that South were pushing for another, with Connor Schmidt hitting the ball with power from distance only to find the crossbar. However, it was Renato De Vecchi Marins who was first to the rebound, heading home to score his second and put his side 2-0 up with three minutes played.

The fast start continued into the 8th minute as Gordon Gurson beat Dan Brown in a one on one to get a shot away, however his shot went wide, with an early chance going missing for the Warriors. In the 21st minute it was De Vecchi Marins who was again challenging for a goal, with his shot from the top of the box going just wide, as South continued to push for a third goal.

Only a minute later in the 22nd minute South had another great chance, with an Olympia defensive mix up seeing Jack Turner striking the ball goalwards, however Brett Johnson held strong. In the 33rd minute it was Johnson again making a huge save to deny Jack Turner, however he was unable to stop Isaac Degetto’s follow up, seeing South go 3-0 up.

South Hobart continued to attack as the half began to draw to a close, however in the 42nd minute Joel Sammut played a great through ball to Warren Wadawu. Wadawu then provided a moment of brilliance in what had been a tough half for his side, Wadawu beat Oscar Thomas and then from the angle somehow curled his shot into the back of the net in what was a fantastic finish. With the score now 3-1 Wadawu’s goal looked to have inspired the Warriors, with the home team playing out the remainder of half well, with the score at half time being 3-1 to South Hobart.

The second half began much like the first, with South winning an early corner and pushing for a goal. However, Olympia looked to be a much improved lineup, with the men in blue almost finding themselves back in the game, when Joel Sammut’s shot went just over the bar in the 48th minute.

Olympia’s second half revival continued as Jake Vandermey headed wide. The home side then had a golden opportunity to put themselves right back into the contest when Joffrey N’koso put the ball on a platter for Gordon Gurson who hit the ball over the crossbar from the six yard line. These missed chances then gave South a chance to extend their lead, with Nick Morton finding space at the top of the box twice in the space of two minutes, however both times he fired over the bar.

Whilst Morton was missing shots, Connor Schmidt had no such trouble, with Jack Turner playing him into space at the top of the box. Schmidt made no mistake, finding the back of the net and seeing South Hobart go 4-1 up in the 72nd minute.

As the game drew to a close both sides continued to push for another goal, with Gordon Gurson producing a spectacular overhead kick in the 74th minute and forcing a sharp save from Kieran Brown in the 84th minute. However there were no more goals to come, with South Hobart running out 4-1 winners.

Speaking post game Olympia coach Dale Itchins said that South were “far better than us in the first half.” He labelled his team slow in the front third and said that they didn’t want to concede early goals, which they did.

South Hobart coach Ken Morton was happy with his teams start in the “horrible conditions.” He continued to say that the most important thing was to get all three points and he is happy where his team is.

The win sees South Hobart remain in fourth spot, equal on points with the third placed Zebras and only three points off Devonport and Launceston, whilst Olympia hold onto fifth place.

Next week sees Round 14 of the NPL TAS kick off, with Olympia facing Clarence in an Eastern Shore derby, Saturday, 2pm at Wentworth Park. Meanwhile South Hobart face the Northern Rangers, Sunday 2pm at Darcy Street.