PlessPix

Mark Wakefield 

The Hobart JEEP Zebras pulled of a houdini-esque escape at Lightwood Park this afternoon, overcoming a two goal deficit at half time to score three second half goals and steal the three points from a solid Kingborough outfit that can consider themselves unlucky to not have taken more from the game. Luke Huigsloot was the star for the Zebras, whilst for the Lions, Shane Cartwright was in absolutely everything.

The opening half was an odd contest between a markedly improved Lion's side and an under performing Zebras team. It was hard to fathom how both teams are where they are on the league ladder based on what unfolded in the first half. The Zebras were listless, lacked heart, determination and cohesion whilst the Lions were the opposite. They played for one another and had Cartwright to boss the contest.

The opening goal came in the 19th minute as a long cross from Will Stalker found Tom McDonald. McDonald brought down the ball, opened up the angle at the edge of the 18 yard box and rifled home a stinging shot that lodged in the bottom left of the net to take his goal scoring tally to three in the last three games for the Lions.

The Lions continued to play the better football of the two sides for the remainder of the half. Cartwright and Chris Downes controlled the midfield and the Zebras midfield of Hugh Undy, Loong Ly and James Sherman struggled to get into the game.

In the second minute of injury time of the first half, the Lions got more reward for their excellent effort as Downes tried a volley from the edge of the 18 yard box. The volley didn't have a tremendous amount of power behind it and Graham Wright almost seemed to be unsighted at the right post as the ball lodged in the back of the net with no dive offered up from the Scotsman.

The Lions went into the half time break with a deserved two goal lead but Zebras coach Chris Hey must have given his players some home truths at half time as they came out a much better side. They started to create some better opportunities off the back of hard work from Jayden Hey, Dwayne Walsh and Adam McKeown, along with the ever industrious Huigsloot who threw himself about to win the ball whenever he thought he could.

In the 64th minute, the Zebras pulled a goal back as Hey fashioned a cross to the far post where Huigsloot met it with an impressive first time volley that rattled the back of the net.

In the 73rd minute it was 2-2 as McKeown got on the end of a long corner from Sherman and powered a diving header between the legs of Grace and just over the goal line before it was cleared. The linesman was in perfect position and did not hesitate to signal that it had crossed the line.

In the 81st minute, the comeback was complete as Hey converted a spot kick earned by Walsh after he was hacked down by Jackson Nugent as he surged inside the 18 yard box. Hey stepped up and slotted it into the bottom right corner to make it 3-2.

The Lions did not succumb meekly however, having numerous chances to extend their lead in the second half and a couple of half shouts for penalties in the second half themselves. Cartwright went close to getting the better of Wright two or three times but Wright was equal to the task after a disappointing first half.

The win puts the Zebras back above South Hobart and four points behind the Devonport Strikers who sit atop the PS4 NPL Tasmania ladder.