PlessPix

Mark Wakefield 

Clarence United overcame a physical Launceston City outfit to record a 2-0 win in their first game at Wentworth Park since round 4. In typically cold conditions, the Reds put in a strong second half showing after heading into the break deadlocked, to take the win and leapfrog the Kingborough Lions on the PS4 NPL Tasmania ladder.

The win leaves Clarence a solitary point behind Launceston City on the ladder now and on this showing, they may well end up above them at season's end.

The opening half was a dour struggle for both sides. Shots on target were few and far between and some clever, deep defending from Clarence in the first half limited City to long shots from range that never troubled Randall in goals. The solitary good chance that City had came as a result of a mis-kicked clearance from Randall in the 35th minute that found Isaac Degetto free. He streamed towards goal and his shot came back off the bar when a goal beckoned.

The teams went into the break with score poised at 0-0. The Reds came out firing and had a good period for the opening 20 minutes of the second half. They were rewarded in the 69th minute as a blocked shot fell to the left channel where George Hallard was on hand to smash home a shot to give Clarence a 1-0 lead.

Launceston continued to chase the game and as the time went on they grew more frustrated. Martyn Jackson collected a second slice of cheese in the 82nd minute as he vented his frustration towards the Referee, muttering something inaudible and most likely not warranted on the football field.

In the 86th minute, Clarence won a free as a result of David Smith carrying the ball outside the 18 yard box as he kicked it and Sam Randall stepped up. The defensive wall of City and positioning of the keeper left a lot to be desired and Randall lashed home a curling effort into the top left to round at the scoring at 2-0.

Clarence held on for the final handful of minutes and celebrated at the final whistle with another well earned three points. It was a great team showing by the Reds and showed what passion and playing for the badge can achieve in a team.

The game never reached any great heights as an advertisement for the beautiful game of football, but that is not to say it was not an entertaining game. The Reds worked hard for one another all game, matching the physical brand that Launceston City brought and never taking a backwards step. They were spectacular in the manner in which they defended as a unit and scrapped for every dangerous ball to keep City at bay, especially later in the second half when City were pushing strongly to score. Darby and Sam Randall both showed they belong at this level with solid performances, whilst Adam Hedge and Andrew Robb were also amongst the standouts in what was a solid team performance across the board.

Clarence coach Alan Jablonski was happy with the result, "Extremely (happy with the result)".

"I thought we were expecting a physical game... and this being our home we didn't want to take a backwards step... I thought both teams didn't give an inch and it was just that team that was going to take the chance would win."

"As that second half wore on we were starting to put them under the pump at the back."

"We had no passengers and that's what you need to win games."

Launceston City coach Lino Sciulli was understandably disappointed after the game, "tough half a day."

"I thought the first half we went really, really well but we couldn't put the ball in the back of the net."

"We just seemed to fade away in the second half."

"We wasted too many chances all game."

"I agree... (that we should have had a goal in the first half instead of hitting the bar)."