Monday, February 19, 2024

Glenorchy Knights' NPL title prospects, and Social League Summer Cup

Photo:  Stefan Cordwell (left) has just scored for Knights against Clarence Zebras. [PlessPix] 

Glenorchy Knights have made some very good signings for their NPL side.

I have been impressed with their two strikers, Stefan Cordwell and Joshua Redfearn.

They both score goals and don’t make a fuss about it.  They just do the business.

Their finishing is clinical and they will test some good defences this season.

Stefan Cordwell, 23, is a New Zealander and he should be a huge asset for the Knights.

He is listed as a midfielder but is excelling at striker.

Photo:  Joshua Redfearn in full flight. [PlessPix] 

Redfearn, 22, was a star striker with Auckland United last season and the Kiwi looks set to shine here.

Centre-back Jack Glover, 24, is from Cairns and looks the real thing, too.

The Knights have also signed two defensive midfielders in Josh Cauderuccio from Melbourne and Dimitris Theodorou from Perth.  I have mentioned both players before on this blog.

Photo:  Dimitris Theodorou with the ball and Clarence Zebras' Kyle Vincent in pursuit.  Vincent scored an excellent goal against Knights.  Knights' centre-back Jack Glover is in the background. [PlessPix] 

Midfielder Jake Parish, a Tasmanian who was with Melbourne City and has played college football in the USA, is another top signing.

Joel Sammut, Anthony Mamic and Jacob Clothier have signed from Olympia Warriors.

The Knights rested some key players in their 3-1 win over Clarence Zebras on Saturday.

Photo:  Knights' Jacob Clothier, Josh Cauteruccio and Jack Glove head in for the half-time break. [PlessPix] 

Olaf Conforti, George Ivanov, Nicholas Mearns, Danile Schmidt and Josh Jones were on the bench, while Tyler Harrison and Riley Dillon weren’t even named.

If the Knights don’t give the NPL title a good shake this season, there is something wrong.

*****

Photo:  The Barnstoneworth keeper saves against South East United. [PlessPix] 

The Social Summer Cup began on Sunday at North Chigwell.

The results were:

Group A

Nelson 3-2 Metro

South East United 1-4 Barnstoneworth United

Photo:  Action from the Nelson versus Metro game on the main pitch on Sunday. [PlessPix]

Group B

Nelson 6-1 Metro

DOSA 5-0 Taroona

Photo:  Action from the Barnstoneworth versus South East United game on the second pitch at North Chigwell on Sunday. [PlessPix] 

DOSA’s Brady Watson, the man who scored 52 goals last season, is in fine touch again.

He netted a hat-trick against Taroona, with Jacob Davidson and Jacob Clark each scoring once.

Which leads me to the topic of the venue, namely North Chigwell.

I can’t help but feel that Metro, and football, have been dudded.

The two pitches were in good condition, but the venue has always had two pitches.

The lighting has been improved, but the old club house is still there.

Photo:  South East United on the attack against Barnstoneworth United. [PlessPix] 

At the risk of being accused of bringing up sour grapes yet again, I refer to an article I posted back on 7 March 2019  -  five years ago.

“The largest single investment in Tasmanian football was announced at North Chigwell today with the Federal Government granting $12.8 million for the construction of a Northern Suburbs Junior Football Hub at Metro’s ground.

“Football Tasmania CEO Matt Bulkeley and FT Director Jim Lange joined MP Andrew Wilkie to announce the $12.8 million in Federal Government funding.

“Also present were Mayor of Glenorchy City Council, Ald Kristie Johnston, Metro FC President Darrin Chaffey and Northern Suburbs Junior Soccer Association President Bianca Tolputt.

“The grant will fully fund the construction of a Junior Football Hub that will boast five separate pitches, two of them with a synthetic surface.

“In addition, the new facility will have high-quality lighting, new female-friendly change rooms, a function centre, spectator stand and increased car parking.”

There it is, in black and white.  Now, five years later, what do we have?  Two grass pitches that have always been there.

Which other sport would tolerate this?

Photo:  Action from the Metro versus Nelson game. [PlessPix]

 

Photo:  A Nelson attacker under pressure from a Metro defender. [PlessPix]

*****

Some more photos from Saturday's NPL Summer Cup action:

Photo:  South Hobart's Nick Morton does battle with Kingborough's Matt Hess. [PlessPix]

Photo:  South Hobart's Reilly Morton has the measure of Kingborough's Noah Mies. [PlessPix]

 

Photo:  A despondent Mark Astley, coach of Clarence Zebras, and his assistant, Enzo Botte. [PlessPix]

Photo:  Kingborough's Greg Downes blocks the danger from South Hobart's Jacob Lancaster at a corner.  [PlessPix]

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Walter, do you know what brings Glover down to Tasmania? I've watched him play for up in QLD for Brisbane Olympic. He should be class in Tas NPL.

Anonymous said...

Walter don't get to excited they were playing Clarence, and as we know they are rubbish.

Anonymous said...

What is it with all the negativity towards some teams? Can’t have everyone on the top of the ladder can we? If CZ are so rubbish then the final result should have shown a larger gap. Correct me if I’m wrong but didn’t CZ have a ten men team? Some critics will bag lower ladder teams all season but what happens if you take them away? Who will you play?

Anonymous said...

Yes because you can't be rubbish and keep the score low can you?

Anonymous said...

Walter, do you have any knowledge into why FT have decided not to offer a Southern Championship Summer Cup this season?

Anonymous said...

Because it's a very social competition. Sorry but that's the facts.
Why do FT have to put a comp on for them?

Anonymous said...

All the comps here would be considered social at home I. England, probably the level of a pub comp

Anonymous said...

Yeah heaps of rubbish teams can hold out another team,maybe the knights are not that good .
But Clarence are rubbish

Anonymous said...

Because they are the governing body that oversee all competitions in the state and they command sizeable registration fees to do so. It’s fair for clubs and players to expect equitable league/cup opportunities across all competitions.

Anonymous said...

Very social? Haha! We have clubs in the current SC aiming to be NPL and investing heavily in their players and infrastructure. Ridiculous comment!! We will see a high level SC this season. I’d back some SC teams to beat some current NPL clubs regularly. FT can arrange a true “social league” summer cup but not for an our statewide “second division”. Just last by FT!

Anonymous said...

Bring back the old summer cup

30 min halfs
Npl & champ teams in groups together

How good was it on a Friday night going to KGV to watch a triple header

Then head back there on a Sunday to watch another 5 or 6 games

Those were the days

Anonymous said...

You know why. Because that would be too simple!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for re affirming my point.
How social to go back to a pre season tournament that does 30 minute halves.

Anonymous said...

Three games on Friday and five on Sunday...at which point do you lose the will to live?

Anonymous said...

Does Walter not respond to comments anymore? :( Few harmless ones above I am interested to hear his response..

Anonymous said...

Clarence is never on top of the ladder ,how can two clubs merge and in a few years end up so rubbish.
No women's teams ,men are thrown together.
Committee needs to take a look at themselves

gerrit kruijver said...

it takes a lot of guts to keeo on labelling a ckub as rubbisish without ceasng anonymusly

Anonymous said...

What ?

Anonymous said...

Few Friday beers by the looks of it Gerrit!

Anonymous said...

Lol this aged well