Sunday, May 9, 2021

Kingborough Lions up and down like a yoyo

Kingborough Lions United are up and down like a yoyo.

They lost top spot on the NPL Tasmania standings on Saturday when they succumbed 2-1 away to second-placed South Hobart at South Hobart Oval.

The win put South Hobart on top and dropped the Lions to third.

The Lions had more than enough chances to win or draw and they were desperately unlucky near the end when former South Hobart star Kobe Kemp rattled the crossbar with a header.

But, two goals by captain Nick Morton did the trick for the home side.

In the 28th minute, Morton slotted home after a quick counter-attack, while he made it 2-0 with a penalty in the 78th minute after Kasper Hallam had been upended by Kenneth Trac.

Neither side was impressive in terms of passing and technical ability, but South Hobart made fewer mistakes.

One pass by Kingborough in the first half summed up the situation.  A midfielder in possession had two players in support and he could have picked either team-mate to pass to.  What did he do?  He neatly bisected the angle created by the two team-mates and played the ball into touch.  It just beggared belief!

Kingborough’s attack was disjointed and the two strikers, Ban Hamlett and Adam McKeown, were rarely given good service against a South Hobart defence that had their measure and took no prisoners.

McKeown was unlucky in the second half when his header was cleared off the line as the ball threatened to sneak in at the far left-hand post.

South Hobart did not create many chances either, but Morton’s two goals proved the difference.  He had a recent opportunity to join a Melbourne club but declined as he felt that, as captain, he owed South Hobart some loyalty.

Glenorchy Knights moved into second spot with a 3-1 away win over Riverside Olympic at Windsor Park in Launceston.

Joffrey N’Koso scored the opener in his final appearance for the Knights before joining Pascoe Vale in Victoria on Wednesday.

Eduardo Castaneda made it 2-0 before William Humphrey pulled a goal back from a penalty for Riverside.

Nick Mearns made the game safe for Knights with a third in stoppage time.

Reigning champions Devonport Strikers made hard work of beating Clarence Zebras 2-1 at home at Valley Road.

Miles Barnard gave Devonport the lead, but Riley Dillon equalised for the southerners before Toby Barton hit the late winner after a corner.

Olympia Warriors made amends for their Lakoseljac Cup loss to Launceston City last weekend by beating City 4-1 at Warrior Park in the league this weekend.

Two goals by the speedy Kyle Vincent and a goal by Koby Moschogianis and an own-goal by Shane Egan gave the Warriors the 3 points.

Mason Gardner netted City’s consolation goal.

NPL Tasmania (As at 8 May 2021)

TEAM

P

W

D

L

F

A

Pts

South Hobart

5

4

1

0

15

4

13

Glenorchy Knights

5

4

1

0

14

6

13

Kingborough Lions

6

4

0

2

12

9

12

Devonport City

6

3

1

2

8

8

10

Olympia Warriors

5

2

1

2

11

12

7

Clarence Zebras

5

1

0

4

9

14

3

Launceston City

5

1

0

4

4

14

3

Riverside Olympic

5

0

0

5

8

15

0

 

 

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Interesting to note that if you take the 3 points off that Borough have due to the extra game they have played they would actually drop down to 4th spot behind Devonport.

Anonymous said...

Anon 2.10, you idiot, the extra game played was against Devonport.

Anonymous said...

Anon 2.38. I am sorry but I think you are the idiot.
Devonport did not earn any points in that game so they have no points to deduct for that loss. They remain on 10 points.
Take 3 points off Borough for the extra game they have played and who is higher up the ladder ?????? Borough or Devonport ???????
Apology accepted.

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry 2.38, but I agree with the earlier comment, you are the idiot!

Anonymous said...

Thanks 7.58.

Anonymous said...

I think the original comment is the correct one.

The game between Kingborough and Devonport has already been played. So whichever way you look at it, Devonport can't jump over Kingborough. So I can't see how Kingborough can be seen as 4th. Moot point anyway!

I think the title will be fought between Glenorchy and Kingborough.

Devonport are passed it and fighting amongst themselves and South is a team full of youngsters who wont be able to maintain the defensive efforts they have shown so far for the entire season.

Anonymous said...

Surprises me that South continues to get little credit given they are top of the table along with Knights and both have a game in hand over Lions and Strikers. Kingborough are not in the race they have 3 or 4 good players and 7 or 8 very average ones which in anyone’s language makes an average team. As per usual Summer cup champions counts for little in the real season. Devonport are on the ropes but have far more chance of challenging the top 2.

Anonymous said...

Anon 1.34.
It was an observation only.Obviously you cant take points off any team.
And Devonport can jump over Kingborough tomorrow if they beat them so that comment by you is not correct if you want to petty.

Anonymous said...

Amin 2.38.
Waiting for your comment.