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Round 6 in the NPL Tasmania competition this weekend looks fascinating.
The die is not yet cast for the season, but this round of matches promises to make the situation a little clearer and firm up the ultimate prospects for the eight teams.
League leaders Devonport entertain 6th-ranked Kingborough Lions United at Valley Road and it could be a tricky assignment for the reigning champions.
Devonport beat the Lions 2-1 last weekend in the Lakoseljac Cup quarterfinals, but Kingborough should have done better.
With a good tactical plan and the right team selection, they have the potential to make Devonport work hard for a win.
One gets the impression that Devonport are coasting and doing just enough to win, but if the Lions play their cards right, this may not be a stroll in the park for the North-West Coast outfit.
Round 6 kicks off tonight [Friday] with two intriguing match-ups.
Second-placed Glenorchy Knights face fourth-placed Clarence Zebras at KGV Park. The Knights were brought down to earth with a thud when they were spanked 7-2 by South Hobart in the Lakoseljac Cup after they had won their two previous league games by 1-0.
Their two league wins were largely due to their brilliant goalkeeper, Jackson Gardner. He couldn’t help them in the cup games because South Hobart correctly determined that the keeper is a shot-stopper and more guile and finesse were required to beat him. They did that with subtle chips and well-placed shots that gave him no chance.
Clarence Zebras can learn from that tonight and they must be in with a real chance of winning.
Knights can counter the threat by keeping a tight rein on Riley Dillon and Sam Tooze and snuffing out danger presented by the midfielders.
Clarence Zebras’ centre-back, Pritchard Adjei by all accounts had a superb game last week against Launceston City after returning from injury and if he can keep Knights’ forward quiet, the visitors will be in with a chance.
Launceston City, currently third, host bottom-side Launceston United in the Launceston derby tonight and should win.
United are now marooned in last place with not a point to show for their efforts and having scored only five goals in five outings while conceding 19 goals.
They have the poorest defensive record in the competition - Riverside Olympia are only marginally better - and City may find them out again tonight in frot of their passionate home supporters.
The remaining game of the round is at Windsor Park tomorrow when second-last Riverside Olympic host fifth-placed South Hobart.
It’s unusual to see South Hobart in the bottom half of the table, but last weekend’s cup win over Glenorchy Knights saw everything slip into place and the southerners should be expected to win handsomely.
Riverside cannot be underestimated, though. South Hobart have already lost the Summer Cup Final on this ground this season, so the venue doesn’t hold pleasant memories for the visitors.
Round 6 NPL Tasmania schedule:
Glenorchy Knights v Clarence Zebras (KGV Friday 8.15pm)
Launceston City v Launceston United (Buckby Motors Park, Friday, 8.15pm)
Riverside Olympic v South Hobart (Windsor Park, Saturday, 2.30pm)
Devonport Strikers v Kingborough Lions United (Valley Road, Saturday, 2.30pm)
NPL Tasmania (As at 22 April 2023)
|
TEAM |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
Pts |
|
Devonport Strikers |
5 |
4 |
1 |
0 |
16 |
4 |
13 |
|
Glenorchy Knights |
5 |
4 |
0 |
1 |
9 |
1 |
12 |
|
Launceston City |
5 |
3 |
0 |
2 |
8 |
7 |
9 |
|
Clarence Zebras |
5 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
14 |
11 |
8 |
|
South Hobart |
5 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
8 |
8 |
7 |
|
Kingborough Lions |
5 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
15 |
11 |
6 |
|
Riverside Olympic |
5 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
4 |
18 |
3 |
|
Launceston United |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
19 |
0 |
4 comments:
Hi Walter. I have huge respect for you at all times however how can you say that Kingborough should have done better against Devonport Last week ?
They did not have a shot on goal in the first half. Devonport should have had another one or two goals at half time . It wasn't until Devonport made some substitutions which does weaken their squad , that Kingborough created a few chances. It was a case of a little bit of poor finishing by Devonport that kept Kingborough in the game.
2-1 was definitely not a true reflection of the game.
And I am not a Devonport fan by any stretch. I do believe that their starting 11 may be good but once changes are made , especially if one or two are required , their standard does drop noticeably .
This is clearly a bitter 'former' starter that is hurt he got let go
Who?
Hope all the Port trash talking of Lions, brings out there best this afternoon.
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