Key games at top and bottom of NPL standings this weekend

Top-of-the-table and bottom-of-the table games are a feature of this weekend’s NPL Tasmania programme.

Launceston City currently top the standings and will have their credentials closely examined by second-placed South Hobart at South Hobart Oval on Sunday at 2pm.

This should be a very close contest and may well result in a draw.

City have yet to concede a goal, while South have come from behind in both their two games to date and gone on to win.

At the foot of the table, things look dire for last-placed Clarence Zebras.

They have lost their two games to date, whereas second-last Launceston United already have a point on the board, which is a stark contrast to last season.

Last season Launceston United beat Clarence Zebras, which was a humiliation for the Eastern Shore-based outfit.

Home-ground advantage and fan support could just swing this contest in favour of Clarence Zebras.

Devonport City pipped Glenorchy Knights 5-4 last weekend at KGV Park in the Lakoseljac Cup.

The Knights have only themselves to blame for this defeat.

They conceded a couple of very soft goals, and the winner came from a deflection.

They are forever trying to play out from the back and they always use their goalkeeper to start moves.  This proved disastrous and it may be time to play some more direct football as they have the ability up front to score goals.

Home-ground advantage will be of little comfort for Devonport as last season they lost more home games at Valley Road than away games.

This promises to be an intriguing contest and will be decided in favour of the team that makes the fewest mistakes and which makes the most of its chances.

Kingborough Lions United entertain Riverside Olympic at Lightwood Park and will have to be at their best to win.

Riverside are threatening to win a game and any slackness on the part of the Lions could see this happen.

NPL Tasmania Weekend Schedule

Saturday, 5 April 2025

Clarence Zebras v Launceston United (Wentworth Park, 2.30pm)’

Devonport Cit v Glenorchy Knights (Valley Road, 2.30pm)

Kingborough Lions United v Riverside Olympic (Lightwood Park, 4.30pm)

Sunday, 6 April 2025

South Hobart v Launceston City (South Hobart Oval, 2pm)

NPL Tasmania Standings (As at 22 March 2025)

TEAM	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Launceston City	2	2	0	0	8	0	6
South Hobart	2	2	0	0	8	4	6
Devonport City	2	1	0	1	3	1	3
Glenorchy Knights	2	1	0	1	6	5	3
Kingborough Lions	2	1	0	1	3	4	3
Riverside Olympic	2	0	1	1	2	5	1
Launceston United	2	0	1	1	2	7	1
Clarence Zebras	2	0	0	2	1	7	0

 

Lakoseljac Cup and Statewide Cup results and Quarter-Final schedules

Lakoseljac Cup Round of 16 Results

New Town White Eagles 6-1 Taroona

Launceston United 1-7 Kingborough Lions United

Riverside Olympic 3-0 Olympia Warriors

University 1-6 Launceston City

Glenorchy Knights 4-5 Devonport City

South East United 5-2 Hobart City

South Hobart 3-0 Barnstoneworth United

Metro 0-3 Clarence Zebras

Women’s Statewide Cup Results

Launceston United 6-1 Kingborough Lions United

Olympia Warriors 0-17 Devonport City

Ulverstone 0-9 South Hobart

Burnie United 1-13 Glenorchy Knights

Riverside Olympic 4-3 Taroona

*****

Lakoseljac Cup Quarterfinals (Easter)

South East United v Clarence Zebras

Kingborough Lions United v Launceston City

Riverside Olympic v New Town White Eagles

South Hobart v Devonport City

Women’s Statewide Cup Quarterfinals (Easter)

University v Riverside Olympic

New Town White Eagles v Devonport Strikers

Launceston United v South Hobart

Under-21 Statewide Cup Quarterfinals (Easter)

Launceston City v Kingborough Lions United

Launceston United v Glenorchy Knights

Clarence Zebras v Devonport City

Riverside Olympic v South Hobart

Women’s Under-18 Statewide Cup Quarterfinals (Easter)

South Hobart bye

Kingborough Lions United v Glenorchy Knights

Clarence Zebras v Taroona

Devonport City v Launceston United

South Hobart coach Max Clarke comments after big Summer Cup win over Clarence Zebras

 

Photo:  South Hobart's new NPL coach, Max Clarke.

South Hobart demolished Clarence Zebras 8-0 in the NPL Summer Cup on Saturday afternoon.

South Hobart scored four goals in each half and migfht have had more.

I asked their coach, Max Clarke, for his thoughts.

Walter Pless:  Was it a very easy win?

Max Clarke:  Initially, the game was back and forth and we didn’t get a grip on things, but as we started to settle and play our football, we made things a lot easier for ourselves and dominated from there onwards.

WP:  What did you ask of your players before the game?

MC:  It’s important that we start as we mean to go on.  Our style of play and principles needed to come through in the game and I think we did that. I am demanding of the players, and have clear expectations and ask the players to work towards our goal together.

WP:  Who impressed you?

MC:  Everyone, especially the younger players such as Amon Kukola, Rex Maddock, Ollie White, Tom Cordell.

WP:  What did you think of the opposition? What did you learn from today’s game? Are you starting to get an idea about your preferred line-up and team formation?

MC:  I was impressed that they had the intention to build up, and at times, combined really well to break through us, but also struggled with quality in key moments which led to mistakes.  For me, I am not looking for my best line up.  I am constantly looking at individuals who can play a role within the group, and for their ability to show me how they can apply our principles.

WP:  How do you regard the summer Cup competition?

MC:  It’s good.  We appreciate any additional games we can get.  The reality in Tasmania is that we have nowhere near enough games, especially for our younger players.  If we want to compete on a national stage we need this to change.

WP:  Any things to work on? Could you have scored more?

MC:  We are continually improving and trying to progress as a group.  I feel as though we still need to appreciate having possession more, and need to be more clinical in the final third.

Photo:  South Hobart defender Reilly Morton straddled by Clarence Zebras' Kane Hatcher. [PlessPix]

 

Photo:  13 against 13.  South Hobart defender Reilly Morton wins a header against Clarence Zebras' American import, Aidan Cann. [PlessPix]