The late change in kick-off time for the NPL clash between Kingborough Lions United and Devonport Strikers at Lightwood Park last Saturday threw up a dilemma for me.
It was scheduled to start at 4pm, which meant I could go to South Hobart Oval for the South Hobart versus Riverside Olympic game at 2pm and then head to Lightwood Park for the other match.
At the last minute, the game at Lightwood was brought forward to 2pm, the same time as the game at South Hobart Oval.
I didn’t toss a coin, but decided on the following strategy: Go to Lightwood and, if Devonport were leading comfortably by half-time, go to South Hobart for the second half.
Well, the best laid plans of mice and men, as they say, can fall in a heap.
As it turned out, Kingborough put up a mighty effort against Devonport and it was 0-0 at the interval and I as sure as hell wasn’t going to leave to watch a game I thought South Hobart would romp home in.
I was wrong on that score, too, as it was a very close game.
It just goes to show once again that football is unpredictable and that’s what makes it the most popular game on Earth.
Devonport dominated the first half-hour at Lightwood and Brody Denehey and Nick Lanau-Atkinson were everywhere. Their speed and mobility ran the Lions defence ragged, but the visitors were unable to beat goalkeeper, Eisa Azizi, who was back between the sticks for Kingborough. Jean Oyanedel, who had made his debut last week after arriving from Canberra, was on the bench and played in the Under-21s.
The closest Devonport came to scoring was when Lanau-Atkinson thumped a free-kick from 20 metres against the right-hand upright. Azizi didn’t move, but beathed a sigh of relied as the ball rebounded into play.
Kingborough rolled up their sleeves and began to have the better of play after the half-hour mark and they were mighty unlucky when player-coach Alfred Hess thumped a shot against the under-side of the bar. I suspect the ball caught him by surprise and he didn’t have time to pick his spot but was forced to shoot instantly.
Noah Mies also went close on a couple of occasions as Devonport wilted.
Devonport resumed their dominance in the second half and one got the impression they would find a goal before the end, as they so often do.
It came in the 78th minute. A long ball forward by Toby Barton found Roberto Garrido on the left side of the box. Defender Jorden Mundy gave him far too much room and Garrido turned sharply before lobbing the ball over Azizi and into the net for the winner.
Mundy should probably have marked Garrido more tightly, and Azizi was possibly a fraction too far off his line. It’s often a game of fine margins, and Devonport were thrilled with the 3 points.
For Kingborough, it was case of so near yet so far.
At South Hobart, Riverside hit the woodwork twice, scored a penalty, but succumbed 2-1 to the home side.
Jaden Fidra put South Hobart ahead in the 28th minute and Jacob Lancaster made it 2-0 four minutes after the resumption.
Andre Chamusca pulled a goal back for the visitors with a penalty 20 minutes from the end, but South Hobart held on for the win.
All eyes were on Wentworth Park on Sunday as second-placed Glenorchy Knights took on Clarence Zebras.
The pitch was in remarkably good condition given the rain we had on Saturday and the weather was more pleasant than expected.
Clarence Zebras were still missing central defender Pritchard Adjei, and they were also without goalkeeper Josh Jones and new signing Jayden Hey.
Skipper Eli Luttmer put Knights ahead after 11 minutes when he got a touch in a packed goalmouth, while Canadian import Marco Favaro made it 2-0 midway through the half.
Clarence zebras’ Canadian import, Ryely Wishart, pulled a goal back on the stroke of half-time after an uncharacteristic error by Knights’ Canadian import goalkeeper, Jackson Gardner, who failed to hold a cross.
Argentine import Xuan Cappellino made it 2-2 in the 53rd minute and it was game on.
Clarence Zebras goalkeeper Manuel Hennicke was desperately unlucky to bag an own-goal in the 65th minute, which restored Knights’ lead. He dived to his right to turn a vicious free-kick by Daniel Schmidt against the left-hand post, but the ball rebounded off his back and into the net.
Two minutes later, Knights scored an excellent goal to make the game safe. Jack Turner started the move in midfield by putting Hugh Undy away on the left. He fought his way inside to the byline and nutmegged Ryan Cook as he cut the ball back for Turner to finish with a low drive from 12 metres.
In Launceston the same afternoon, bottom side Launceston United went down 1-0 to visitors Launceston City at Birch Avenue.
James Hawes got the all-important goal 2 minutes before half-time to give City fourth place on the standings.
NPL Tasmania (As at 9 July 2023)
|
TEAM |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
Pts |
|
Devonport Strikers |
13 |
11 |
1 |
1 |
41 |
11 |
34 |
|
Glenorchy Knights |
13 |
10 |
0 |
3 |
33 |
10 |
30 |
|
South Hobart |
13 |
8 |
2 |
3 |
37 |
22 |
26 |
|
Launceston City |
13 |
7 |
1 |
5 |
21 |
21 |
22 |
|
Clarence Zebras |
13 |
6 |
2 |
5 |
36 |
27 |
20 |
|
Kingborough Lions |
13 |
5 |
0 |
8 |
36 |
26 |
15 |
|
Riverside Olympic |
13 |
2 |
0 |
11 |
10 |
51 |
6 |
|
Launceston United |
13 |
0 |
0 |
13 |
9 |
55 |
0 |
.JPG)
Photo: Clarence Zebras fans (L-R) Rowan Traynor, Sav Perri and Simon Robustelli relax as they watch the action at Wentworth Park on Sunday. [PlessPix]
8 comments:
No NPL game in Hobar this weekend???
No. It’s pathetic.
It’s good for the game.
Cry less
All games end in the south last round of the season….. so there has to be a round in the north?
Matching games in round 3 at the end of the season will see all games played in the south to accomidate the awards dinner. Seems fair for all games to be in the north end of round 2
If you watch the footage back you will see that mundy is actually marking barnard it was the other centre back who let Garrido roll of his shoulder, but it’s always easier to blame the youngster.
If you paid any attention you would know mundy is young
Sam Tooze need's to cool his temper or CZ should just drop him till he does upsets the whole side .
Post a Comment