It wasn't pretty, but back-to-back home wins without conceding banished memories of Launceston United's six-game losing streak into distant memory.
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After last week's drought-breaking 2-0 win over Taroona, the Birch Avenue faithful saw an even more welcome 1-0 victory over a South Hobart bogey side which had won both previous encounters this season.
Dani Gunton headed the only goal of the game but the margin should have been a lot more comfortable with United keeper Sydney Carnie little more than a spectator for long periods.
Co-coaches Frank Compton and Lynden Prince weren't exactly rushing to praise their side's ruthlessness.
"The win was paramount. That's what we came for," Compton said. "But we're a little bit disappointed with the performance.
"It was a good goal and I thought we could kick on but we just didn't turn up second half.
"We had chances and had one gone in we could have been a little bit more comfortable so we made it tough for ourselves, but at the end of the day it's another clean sheet and a vital three points."
Prince added: "We definitely needed that win because we had a session off with the bye. They deserved the break after all the cup games we'd had but it really halts the momentum and we were only really 70 per cent today because of that."
Annie Reitsema performed admirably at the centre of United's ever-evolving frontline.
Most comfortable with her back to goal, the bespectacled striker's hold-up play was impressive throughout, allowing Jess Robinson to play the diagonals, particularly in the direction of willing runner Laura Dickinson.
But it was Gunton who found the breakthrough. The versatile striker has filled the number nine and 10 roles this season and was playing wide left in this formation but remains a force in the air and duly delivered from Robinson's 15th-minute corner.
The influential Karla Jones also clipped the crossbar from long-range late in the first half while Gunton and Robinson nearly added more from second-half goalmouth scrambles, but in truth the result was much closer than it should have been.
Having apparently rediscovered their mojo, United will face bottom-placed Taroona for the second time in three weeks next Saturday.
NPL TASMANIA
A first-half goal from Stef Tantari had LAUNCESTON CITY dreaming of a fourth straight win before high-flying South Hobart brought them back down to earth.
Dynamic youngster Kaspar Hallam fired in a second-half hat-trick with Nick Morton completing a 4-1 scoreline at Darcy Street.
Tantari's goal was his third in as many games as Lino Sciulli's side looked to build on wins against Olympia, Riverside and Clarence.
In a further blow to City, reliable keeper Lachlan Clark had to be taken off with what appeared to be a collarbone injury.
RIVERSIDE'S match against Devonport was postponed when West Tamar Council closed the waterlogged Windsor Park pitch.
The club was able to stage Northern Championship matches on its back oval.
Goals from Riley Dillon, Sam Hills and Matt Pace gave Clarence Zebras a 3-1 win over Olympia who replied through Kyle Vincent.
Kingborough hosted third-placed Glenorchy in the late fixture.
NORTHERN CHAMPIONSHIP
Another hat-trick from the prolific Meg Connolly saw RIVERSIDE come from behind to beat Devonport 3-1 and record a sixth-straight win in the women's competition.
Behind early, Olympic stormed back in the second half. Strikers were unable to deal with the pace of Mia Findlay, who set up the first two home goals with Amelia Wing assisting the third as Connolly took her season's tally to 27.
"It was a very slow start and we were losing the midfield so had no support for the attack," said Olympic coach Jo Haezebrouck.
"We were lucky to still be only 1-0 down at half-time but regained midfield when we went 4-3-3 with more pressure from Mia and Holly Taylor stopped (Renske) Rombouts who had dictated the first half. Meg had to be patient but the chances came eventually."
After 11 straight wins, NORTHERN RANGERS missed out on the Coast for the second week running.
Burnie United held the league pace-setters to a 1-1 draw, Febey Chugg on target for Stephen Pearce's side.
Ulverstone took full advantage with an 18-0 drubbing of Somerset.
For the second week running, Zali Kirkman and Rebecca Barrett claimed the goals in a LAUNCESTON CITY victory.
Kirkman bagged a brace as LAUNCESTON UNITED were defeated 3-1 to the delight of City coach Barry Baker.
"I think the group are starting to gel together and see some progress at the back end of the year which is what we were hoping for," he said.
In the men's competition, a last-minute equaliser from LAUNCESTON UNITED earned a 1-1 draw with LAUNCESTON CITY.
Will Milner had given City the lead and earned high praise from coach Justin Dyer.
"I'm super proud of every player," he said. "They showed some real character today."
Angelo Amato claimed NORTHERN RANGERS' consolation goal in a 2-1 loss at Burnie United.
Devonport was too strong for RIVERSIDE, goals from Tomas Emmett, Lachlan Hays and Ryan Smith earning a 3-0 win on the back pitch at Windsor Park.
Somerset Sharks defeated Ulverstone 3-2 with goals to Daniel Frank, Jimmy Nettleton and Kaimon Johnson.