Devonport should strike the right notes and beat Clarence Zebras in this weekend's NPL

Reigning champions and ladder-leaders Devonport City travel to Hobart for the first time this year to take on second-last Clarence Zebras tomorrow at 2.30pm at Wentworth Park.

Clarence Zebras coach David Smith knows it will be a huge task to avoid defeat and he acknowledges he has limited resources, especially in defence.

Smith’s team will be missing midfielder Luke Huigsloot, while Nick O’Connell may get a run in goal as he recovered from injury.

If he is not fit, Joshua Jones will retain the goalkeeping spot.

Clarence Zebras also need greater potency in attack and so they are between a rock and a hard place on the eve of this game.

“We’ll have much the same squad as last week,” said Smith.

“Thomas Little is returning to Melbourne next week and I had to bring Jeremy price in when he wasn’t match fit, so there are limited options for us.

“I could play Jayden Hey in defence but that would mean weakening the midfield, while centre-back isn’t exactly Riley Dillon’s best position.”

Devonport City have been far from impressive this season.

They were knocked out of the Lakoseljac Cup by Launceston City and they have won all four of their league games by a one-goal margin.

They should be too strong for the home-side, though, and the win may well be by more than just one goal.

Third-placed Glenorchy Knights travel to Windsor Park tomorrow to take on fifth-ranked Riverside Olympic at 2.15pm.

Knights coach James Sherman said he would have an unchanged squad.

“We are looking forward to another chance to improve on a good performance last week against a difficult Clarence Zebras side,” said Sherman.

“Alex [Gaetani] has made a significant improvement with the Riverside squad and they now have a handful of players we will need to be wary of.

“At home they are very strong and we expect them to sue the home ground to their advantage.

“I’ve seen them move the ball well at times.

“I’m sure Alex will have them looking to build up with the ball and get at us in front of the home support.

“If we are to get anything from the game we will need to play well and defend with confidence.”

Gaetani said he had a very young side this season.

“There won’t be too many changes from last week’s squad,” Gaetani said.  Riverside lost 5-1 away to Olympia Warriors.

“Jhostan Padron and Max Reissig will come into the squad, while Luca Vigilante is out for the season after breaking an ankle against Launceston City.

“Knights are a superb side this year and well coached and they’re not far off Devonport.

“But, if we play well, we’ll be in the game.

“We’ve got a younger team than last year, which isn’t ideal, but some players are a year older and have that extra experience.”

Olympia Warriors will have Lucas Hill back after a long absence because of a knee injury and he should strengthen the defence.

“He probably could have played last week, but we didn’t want to risk him,” said Olympia coach, Andrew Brown.  “We’re very glad to have him back.

“Ben Hamlett is still struggling but working towards full fitness.

“Everyone else is fit.

“Launceston City are pretty good and we just got over the line the last time we met them.

“I’m not expecting an easy game.”

Olympia’s win last weekend moved them off the foot of the table and into sixth place, while Launceston City dropped to the bottom.

Launceston City should have Rob Gerrard back after suspension.

The remaining match of Round 5 is on Sunday when second-placed Kingborough Lions United visit South Hobart Oval to play fourth-placed South Hobart.

South Hobart will be without the injured Andy Brennan, but Kasper Hallam has trained an should be fit to play.

South Hobart had a training session this afternoon conducted by Harry Rickus and Ned Clarke in the absence of Ken Morton, who is not well.

The Lions do not have a good record against South Hobart, but their unbeaten record this season must inspire confidence amongst their squad for this encounter.

NPL Tasmania Standings (As at 8 August 2020)

TEAM	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Devonport City	4	4	0	0	7	3	12
Kingborough Lions	4	3	1	0	9	4	10
Glenorchy Knights	4	3	0	1	11	6	9
South Hobart	4	2	0	2	5	6	6
Riverside Olympic	4	1	1	2	7	11	4
Olympia Warriors	4	1	0	3	8	8	3
Clarence Zebras	4	1	0	3	4	8	3
Launceston City	4	0	0	4	4	9	0

NPL schedule this weekend:

Clarence Zebras v Devonport City (Wentworth Park, 2.30pm or 2.40pm Saturday, 15 August)

Olympia Warriors v Launceston City (Warrior Park, 4.30pm or 4.45pm, Saturday, 15 August)

Riverside Olympic v Glenorchy Knights (Windsor Park, 2.15pm Saturday, 15 August)

South Hobart v Kingborough Lions United (South Hobart Oval, 2pm or 2.10pm Sunday, 16 August)