Blundstone crowd braves the cold, but South Hobart simply outclassed by Marconi Stallions in FFA Cup

South  Hobart fought hard against heavyweight opposition, but was event­ually bundled out of the FFA Cup round of 32 in front of more than 2600 spectators at Blundstone Arena last night.

South Hobart's Kasper Hallam shoots. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

SOUTH  Hobart fought hard against heavyweight opposition but was event­ually bundled out of the FFA Cup round of 32 at Blundstone Arena last night, beaten 3-0 by the Marconi Stallions.

More than 2600 spectators packed into the Ricky Ponting Stand watched as NPL NSW side Marconi scored twice towards the end of the first half and a third with two minutes to play to come away with a relatively comfortable win.

Stream over 50 sports live and any time on your TV or favourite device with KAYO SPORTS. The biggest Aussie sports and the best from overseas. Just $25 a month. No lock-in contract.
Get your 14-day free trial now

South Hobart's Benjamin Hamlett shoots as Stallions’ Connor Evans blocks. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Marconi captain Marko Jesic was involved in all three goals, while up the other end South struggled to penetrate the Stallions’ defence.

The Stallions dominated possession and territory in the opening 15 minutes, before South started to work its way into the match, but early chances were few and far between for both sides.

The Stallions surged again as the first half wore on, and nearly broke the deadlock in the 31st minute when Marko Jesic’s looping header towards the top corner forced a spectacular diving save from South keeper Graham Wright.

Marconi’s Roberto Speranza and South Hobart's Darcy Hall compete for the ball. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

Marconi was ahead four minutes later when Jesic sent Wright the wrong way from the penalty spot after South defender Declan Foley was judged to have handballed a cross in the box.

SOUTH HAS A CUP POINT TO PROVE

It was 2-0 in the 40th minute when Jesic’s curled cross from the left took a cruel deflection off South defender Hugh Ludford and flew past a stranded Wright. South’s best chance of the half came just before the break, when Kasper Hallam went on a mazy run before squaring for Darcy Hall streaming down the left, who was in space but blazed high and wide.

South Hobart's Darcy Hall screams after missing an opportunity to score. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

The Stallions nearly added a third goal 11 minutes into the second half when Giorgio Speranza unleashed a long-range rocket which beat Wright but pinged off the upright. South continued to press for the goal that would bring it back into the contest, but rarely threatened the Stallions defence.

Marconi’s Marko Jesic and South Hobart's Loic Feral compete for the ball. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

Marconi substitute Damian Tsekenis sealed the Stallions’ win with two minutes to play when he nodded home Jesic’s corner from the back post.

South coach Ken Morton said “every decision went against” his team, and the handball decision against Foley changed the game.

“[The Stallions are] very good at long flighted balls out of defence and they’re very quick up front … but overall they’re an ugly team to look at and to watch, but they get results so good luck to them, I wish them well in the next round,” Morton said. “But I’m very proud of the way we tried to play football all night, obviously we weren’t just good enough, but we certainly made them fight.”