South Hobart overcame a plucky Kingborough Lions outfit 5-0, scoring four times in the second half after the Lions had started brightly in the opening half. It took a brace from Jack Turner and singles to Nick Morton, Jake Brennan and Connor Schmidt to eventually overcome the Lions and remain a point off the summit.

The opening 20 minutes was fascinating viewing as South scrapped and struggled to gain any momentum and the Lions tried to play a passing game but lacked any real penetration in the final third of the pitch. In general terms, perhaps the Lions just shaded the game and it was they who registered the first shot of the game in the 19th minute.

Confusion reigned supreme in the 22nd minute as it appeared Paolo Markaj had whipped a ripping free kick into the back of the net to make it 1-0 to the Lions. It took until half time to realise that the goal hadn’t stood as Referee Charlie White had given the Lions an indirect free kick. Kieran Brown couldn’t get near the free and no one touched the ball before it crossed the line so it was a free to South as a result. New signing Majok Piok picked up his first yellow card for the day soon after the resumption of play and it would prove significant.

The Lions continued to match South Hobart, pressing them and defending as a unit constantly. It was all for nothing though as in the 37th minute Piok made a ridiculous challenge from behind and collected a second yellow card and a red accordingly. He had only himself to blame as he made the decision to make a poor challenge and left the referee with only one choice to make.

From that point forward it was all South, Turner gave South a 1-0 lead in the 38th minute with a booming header before forcing two saves in two minutes from Sheku Kamara.

In the 51st minute is was 2-0 as Morton powered into the right hand side of the box before driving a powerful shot in off the arms of Kamara.

Just past the hour mark it was 3-0 as Liam Quaile drove down the left flank before smashing a stellar cross to the edge of the 6 yard box for Turner to tap home.

It was 4-0 in the 72nd minute as Schmidt nodded home from about 8 yards out, before Brennan rounded out the scoring with a deflected effort in the 86th minute after being afforded too much space at the top of the 18 yard box.

It was an off colour performance by South despite the 5-0 margin and at times they sprayed passes around and made mistakes you do not normally see this well drilled team make.

South Hobart coach Ken Morton was pleased with the win but stressed there was plenty improvement to be made, “it’s a good result for us away from home.”

“The performance could have been sharper, especially in the first half.”

“I put my arm around him (Markaj) and said the team needs you and you don’t need to get yourself into trouble and lets move on. He was quite reciprocal and walked with me which was good.”

Kingborough Lions coach Gabriel Markaj was furious after the game, taking aim at the referee and we have chosen not to publish his comments.