It’s difficult to see NPL Tasmania leaders and reigning
champions Devonport City dropping points against fourth-placed Kingborough
Lions United at Valley Road tomorrow at 2.15pm.
That’s despite the teams’ 1-1 draw at Lightwood Park on 29
August, when a goal in stoppage time ensured the North-West Coast outfit of a
draw.
Kingborough were thrashed 7-0 last weekend by Glenorchy
Knights, which doesn’t augur well for their chances against the champions.
And, the Lions will be without their American import Davis
Bryan, who is suspended after being sent off against Knights.
Devonport should win this by hook or by crook as they also
seem to have luck on their side.
Second-placed Glenorchy Knights travel to Buckby Land Rover
Park in Launceston to take on bottom-side Launceston City at 4.30pm and the
southerners should be too strong for the northerners.
Knights coach James Sherman is cautious, however, about
this game as he knows his side must not slip up if they are to keep the
pressure on the league leaders.
“We’ll be at full strength tomorrow, but City away is a difficult
trip,” Sherman said.
“It’s another opportunity for us to see what we are capable
of.
“They have a handful of very dangerous players that can
influence matches.
“They're due a win and some luck so we will need to show
quality and intelligence if we are to play well.”
South Hobart, in third place, host fifth-ranked Olympia
Warriors at South Hobart Oval at 2pm tomorrow.
This is the first of three games in just over a week for
South Hobart, which is a demanding schedule.
They will have the replay of their Lakoseljac Cup
quarterfinal at KGV Park next Wednesday, and then they face Glenorchy Knights
next weekend.
Photo: South Hobart coach Ken Morton is pleased with his young side's play [PlessPix]
South Hobart coach, Ken Morton, said his side should be at
full strength tomorrow for the game against Olympia Warriors at South Hobart Oval
at 2pm.
“It was a close game the last time we met, but we lost,”
Morton said.
“I thought we played quite well in certain areas of the
pitch, and that’s happened in the last couple of games.
“We lost 4-1 to Devonport, but I thought we played super
and it was never a 4-1 result as their keeper kept them in the game.
“Last week against Launceston City we were very good going
forward and created some very good opportunities.
“We want to keep that momentum and that intensity in our
game now.
“We have a tough week coming up and the three games will determine
how well or how badly we’ve done this year.”
Morton said he had a settled side and a decent bench as
well.
“Maybe, if we’re in a good position, we may play those
bench players as well,” Morton said.
“I think we’re pretty much where we can be. We’re still young and against the Lucas Hills
and the Jake Vandermeys, who are strong lads, it’s difficult for our light-weight
forwards.
“ But, we’re starting to get some little combinations going
up front and our wing play has been pretty good in the last couple of games as
well, so hopefully we can put a good game together.”
Photo: Olympia coach Rob Clarke said his side were missing too many chances [PlessPix]
Olympia Warriors coach Rob Clarke said he had been
disappointed by last weekend’s 2-1 loss to Clarence Zebras.
“We didn’t play well, to start with,” Clarke said. “We couldn’t string four or five passes
together and in the second half they sat back and held their lead and we couldn’t
score.
“We haven’t been able to score anywhere near a decent
percentage of our chances. We’ve created
a lot, not just in terms of shots on goal, but in terms of good opportunities
from good areas, but we just can’t hit the target.
“We’ve played quite well after the first three rounds, but
we’re just not finishing.
“And, we’re missing Jack Ryan now and Ben Hamlett isn’t
ready to resume yet. Hamlett may get a
run next week.
“He’s had a nagging groin injury and has been running in
straight lines and he may play some part next weekend.”
Clarke said his side would get chances against South Hobart
tomorrow and they needed to convert those chances if they are to win.
Clarke confirmed he would be a candidate for coach next
year when the position is advertised.
Photo: Clarence Zebras coach David Smith seems to be pondering on who will replace his three injured players [PlessPix]
Clarence Zebras could be missing three regular players for
the game against Riverside Olympic at Wentworth Park at 2.30pm tomorrow.
Jayden Hey has concussion, Samson Juju has a hamstring
injury and Riley Dillon has a swollen foot.
Riverside Olympic will be desperate for the 3 points and must
feel they were hard done by last weekend in the 1-0 loss to Devonport.
This promises to be a close contest and both sides will be eager
to win to improve their league position.
Photo (L-R): Ken Morton (South Hobart), David Smith (Clarence Zebras) and Rob Clarke (Olympia Warriors) at Football Tasmania headquarters today [PlessPix]
NPL Tasmania Saturday schedule:
South Hobart v Olympia Warriors (South Hobart Oval, 2pm)
Devonport City v Kingborough Lions United (Valley Road,
2.15pm)
Clarence Zebras v Riverside Olympic (Wentworth Park,
2.30pm)
Launceston City v Glenorchy Knights (Buckby Land Rover
Park, Launceston, 4.30pm)
NPL
Tasmania Standings (As
at 19 September 2020)
TEAM
|
P
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
F
|
A
|
Pts
|
Devonport City
|
9
|
8
|
1
|
0
|
16
|
5
|
25
|
Glenorchy Knights
|
9
|
7
|
0
|
2
|
26
|
7
|
21
|
South Hobart
|
9
|
5
|
0
|
4
|
17
|
13
|
15
|
Kingborough Lions
|
9
|
4
|
3
|
2
|
15
|
21
|
15
|
Olympia Warriors
|
9
|
4
|
1
|
4
|
19
|
16
|
13
|
Clarence Zebras
|
9
|
2
|
2
|
5
|
11
|
19
|
8
|
Riverside Olympic
|
9
|
1
|
2
|
6
|
12
|
22
|
5
|
Launceston City
|
9
|
0
|
1
|
8
|
8
|
21
|
1
|
1 comment:
Yes Olympia are struggling up forward.
If only they had a super quick player with incredible footskills and a real eye for a goal. Some one who is young and eager for game time.
There must be someone.
But who?
Oh wait
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