Devonport City clinched the 2020 NPL Tasmania title just over a week ago when they beat bottom-side Launceston City 1-0 at home at Valley Road so there was nothing riding on last Saturday’s final league game against second-placed Glenorchy Knights.
The champions didn’t hold back, though, and produced a master class to destroy the Knights 4-1 and finish 9 points clear at the top of the standings.
After a goalless opening half in which Devonport could have scored two or three goals but for fine goalkeeping by Lachlan Hart, the woodwork and poor finishing, Devonport took the lead just 3 minutes after the resumption. Knights skipper Tyler Harrison brought down Eddie Bidwell and Raphael Reynolds scored with the penalty.
Midway through the second half, Brody Denehey made it 2-0 when he ran onto a poor attempted clearance by Oscar Thomas and had a free run at goal. Hart saved his first shot, but he followed up and netted from the rebound.
In the 74th minute, Joel Stone outwitted four opponents on the left and fired home low and inside the far right-hand post to give his side a 3-0 lead.
Eddie Bidwell added the fourth 8 minutes from the end when he waltzed past four opponents before shooting. Hart again blocked the shot, but Bidwell was first to rebound and scored.
Knights netted a consolation goal 3 minutes into stoppage time. Devonport goalkeeper Nathan Pitchford could only parry Nick Naden’s shot and substitute Alex Walter hit home the rebound.
It was an unbeaten league campaign for Devonport and their third consecutive league title and fourth in five seasons.
South Hobart, who had lost as many as nine players from last year, finished third. They completed their league programme with a disappointing 1-1 draw at home to second-last Riverside Olympic.
Youngster Fletcher Fulton put the visitors ahead in the 14th minute, but Nick Morton hit South Hobart’s equaliser in the 25th minute.
Kingborough Lions United earned fourth spot with a last-minute 3-2 triumph over Olympia Warriors at home at Lightwood Park.
Callum Brown put them ahead in the 22nd minute, but a penalty by Danny Cowen in the 27th minute restored parity.
Chris Downes put the Lions ahead with a free-kick in the 38th minute and it seemed as if the sides would have to settle for a share of the points when Anthony Mamic made it 2-2 in the 89th minute.
The Lions weren’t lying down, however, and Adam McKeown headed the winner in the second minute of stoppage time.
Clarence Zebras left it late to beat Launceston City at home at Wentworth Park.
Riley Dillon, who is essentially a full-back, played at centre-forward and scored two excellent goals within a minute of each other in the closing stages of the match to dash City’s hopes of winning a league game this season.
The win ensured Clarence Zebras of finishing sixth, while City has already collected the wooden spoon last weekend.
NPL Tasmania results:
Glenorchy Knights 1 (A Walter 90+3) lost to Devonport City 4 (R Reynolds 48 pen, B Denehey 64, J Stone 74, E Bidwell 82)
Clarence Zebras 2 (R Dillon 88, 89) beat Launceston City 0
South Hobart (N Morton 25) drew with Riverside Olympic 1 (F Fulton 14)
Kingborough Lions United 3 (D Cowen 27 pen, C Downes 38, A McKeown 90+2) beat Olympia Warriors 2 (C Brown 22, A Mamic 89)
NPL Tasmania, Final Standings (24 October 2020)
|
TEAM |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
Pts |
|
Devonport City |
14 |
13 |
1 |
0 |
28 |
9 |
40 |
|
Glenorchy Knights |
14 |
10 |
1 |
3 |
37 |
13 |
31 |
|
South Hobart |
14 |
7 |
2 |
5 |
30 |
24 |
23 |
|
Kingborough Lions |
14 |
6 |
3 |
5 |
26 |
34 |
21 |
|
Olympia Warriors |
14 |
6 |
1 |
7 |
32 |
27 |
19 |
|
Clarence Zebras |
14 |
4 |
2 |
8 |
20 |
32 |
14 |
|
Riverside Olympic |
14 |
2 |
3 |
9 |
17 |
32 |
9 |
|
Launceston City |
14 |
1 |
1 |
12 |
13 |
32 |
4 |
25 comments:
Just wondering if the Kingborough hater who told me Kingo would slide down the table and not make the top 4 is about? He told me to wait. Let me guess, you will have an excuse and won't admit you're wrong? Or simply won't reply?
Anon 8.43. Sorry mr friend but your comments are incorrect.
I am not a Kingborough hater so don’t put words in my mouth.
Their overall performance over the season was ordinary and not worthy of a top four spot.
They were lucky the teams around them on the ladder were worse.
I was right until last week
Agree I very much enjoyed watching Kingborough beat Olympia but they shouldn’t kid themselves there’s a massive gulf in skills between them and the top 2 and even South for that matter who comfortably beat them all 4 times this year including at home
Fantastic photo Walter of Kane Hatcher stopping Rob Gerrard , that kid has absolutely no fear
Consistency plays a massive key to a successful season - the top 3 teams kept most of their first 11 players on the park week in, week out and it showed. Depth of the squad also plays into this when you do have injuries and if you look at the clubs outside the top 3 they lacked the depth and quality and it showed with their performances in the second half of the year.
- Kingborough - 2 broken legs in pre-season, Cartwright lasted 3-4 games, lost a center back at the half way point, keeper got injured with 4 games to go, second keeper got injured second last game
- Olympia - Hamlett missed most of the season, Ryan left half way through, lost coach, brown twins were gone for multiple weeks
- Can't speak for the teams in the North as don't have knowledge of their squads
Anon 6:45 AM
Ahh I called it! I said you would have an excuse, or you wont reply. Ding ding, you had an excuse!
Anon 6:45 AM
You were right until last week? .. so that means you were wrong yes? What a roundabout way of saying it!
Olympia sacked their coach and the Brown twins missed 1 week.
12.10. No excuses w.....r.
Fact!
Well what is happening down at the Den. The teams that under pin the NPl are nothing short of rubbish. There is no talent coming through, their champ 1 side folded a few weeks ago and a $1200 fine. Congrats to South East who scored their first win against Kingborough . I believe Lions NPL team over achieved.
apparently players train with the NPl but only want to play Socials. This sounds like a club on the verge of destruction.
Lions have been in the NPl for how long? and have yet to become a club that you would say they are a class act.
Keep celebrating you’re 4th place .... this is why the club is going nowhere .... only reason some have said they’ve done ok is because they should have finished bottom 2 with some of the rubbish they played this year
11:35AM
South lost a whole team practically and look how they went. stop making excuses. They weren't up to nor was Olympia.
Geez those South boys that went Olympia for a guaranteed title and some cash have got some egg on their face .....
The South supporters are up an about now. The way you reacted and treated the players that left says it all and your angel like reputation well and truly cover blown.
1:41 PM - Only fact here is you were wrong about your prediction, mate!
11.24. Wow, you must have a boring life relentlessly nagging about the same topic.
Get over it mate. Really excited over finishing fourth.
Imagine if you had finished higher up the ladder! F....., me!
10:19 AM - I am not even a Kingo supporter mate. My team plays in the Southern Championship.
I was just intrigued at how you KNEW Kingo wouldn't finish top 4, after they lost their first game of the season. And I wanted to call it out. And I was right :)
I heard a rumour today that Olympia may have to forfeit their match against new town in the Championship as their players are playing in the U/20 cup and there was less than the 7 day requirement to change games. That's apparently FT rules.
If I was New town I wouldn't except anything from FT as they decided to leave them out of the Laka cup.
Uni's title now.
Walter...Did we ever find out why Eagles weren't in the Cup this season.?
11.33 am.
You still wet behind the ears?
I think you will find that I did not make the comment after
the first game. Just thought I would call it out.
3:29 PM
I think the above "after they lost their first game of the season" = "had their first loss of the season".
I do agree with this fella though.... You did say they wouldn't finish top 4.
Anon 3:29 PM
Sorry, my post meant after Kingo had their first loss of the season, not after their first game of the season.
My comment could be interpreted either way - perhaps I should have been a bit more clear :) :)
Just to confirm..
You didn't make your PREMATURE INCORRECT CALL until round 5 :)
I read on TFC that one of the Olympia coaches having a go at FT and the southern Champ clubs.
The Championship is a competition that is separate to NPl. To say that FT should change games to suit the NPl is ridiculous, rude and uncalled for and to say FT are void from common sense. Sometimes you need to look outside your perifocal vision. There maybe reason why some Championship teams can't change their game times, has that ever been thought of.
I know the Southern Championship clubs didn't want the NPL clubs in their competition. Did this coaches club explain this to him?
I haven't read any comments about Championship clubs complaining having to have one team play at 12:00 and then 4:00.
No denying that the competitions manager has a lot to be desired, I totally agree with him there. Best to stop whinging as it doesn't look good for your club.
Anon 3.29 . Its about time you gave up isn't it ?
You made your f.....g point. Grow up.
Maybe you could get a game with them next year and ensure they finish second or first ! Then again maybe you aren't good enough.
I'm surprised you were able to understand what you read on TFC. What a jumble.
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