Devonport Strikers, the reigning NPL Tasmania champions, took over at the top of the standings on Saturday when they beat fifth-placed Olympia Warriors away and previous leaders Glenorchy Knights could only draw with third-ranked South Hobart away.
Devonport lead the Knights by a point but have played a game more than the Knights.
Knights travel to Devonport next Saturday and that should tell a story.
Olympia Warriors shot themselves in the foot against Devonport by having Koby Moschogianis and Kyle Vincent sent off after trailing 3-0 and there was no way back from that.
An own goal put Devonport ahead and strikes by Daniel Syson and Brody Denehey before the break completed the mission for the North-West Coast side.
Photo: Glenorchy Knights' Lucas Hill slide-tackles South Hobart's Kasper Hallam. [PlessPix]
Glenorchy Knights took the lead against South Hobart just past the half-hour mark when a free-kick by Eduardo Castaneda from wide on the left took a touch from Jordan Muller and the ball lodged inside the far right-hand post.
Knights had more chances, including an effort from Nick Naden that clipped the top of the crossbar, but they could not add to their tally.
South were lucky not to be down to 10 men in the first half. Patrick Kibler, a former South Hobart American import, was back from playing in South Australia and was cautioned early on. Later, he might easily have been sent off for a terrible challenge on Castaneda, but instead of issuing a second yellow card, Mr Kopra only spoke to Kibler at length.
South seemed to have the better of the second half, although Knights squandered a couple of good chances to increase their lead.
In the closing minutes, Knights might have earned a penalty when Kibler appeared to pull Austin Yost to the ground but play went on.
In the 6th minute of stoppage time, 16-year-old Josh Divin equalised for the home side and broke the Knights’ hearts.
Nick Morton took a throw-in at the half-way line and Luke Bighin pumped a high ball forward towards the Knights penalty area. Kasper Hallam chested it wide to Tobias Herweynen, who lobbed it over the defence for Divin to volley home and ensure his side a share of the points.
Knights will now probably have to beat Devonport at some time if they are to prise the title from them.
A late goal by Joshua Mathie gave Clarence Zebras a 1-0 away win over Kingborough Lions United, who now seem dead in the water.
On Friday night, second-last Launceston City trounced bottom-side Riverside Olympic 5-1 away at Windsor Park.
Photo: Lucas Hill and Kasper Hallam battle for possession. [PlessPix]
NPL Tasmania results:
South Hobart 1 (J Divin 90+6) drew with Glenorchy Knights 1 (J Muller 33)
Olympia Warriors 0 lost to Devonport Strikers 3 (Own goal 7,D Syson 28, B Denehey 44)
Kingborough Lions United 0 lost to Clarence Zebras 1 (D Walsh 78)
Riverside Olympic 1 (F Fulton 69) lost to Launceston City 5 (S Smith 30, S Tantari 44. W Rodman 79, Y Mohammadi 81, 90)
Photo: Glenorchy Knights captain Tyler Harrison cuts a lonely figure as he watches the action from the bench after being replaced because of injury after just a quarter of an hour of the game. [PlessPix]
NPL Tasmania (As at 3 July 2021)
|
TEAM |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
Pts |
|
Devonport City |
12 |
9 |
1 |
2 |
25 |
10 |
28 |
|
Glenorchy Knights |
11 |
8 |
3 |
0 |
39 |
11 |
27 |
|
South Hobart |
11 |
6 |
4 |
1 |
26 |
13 |
22 |
|
Kingborough Lions |
12 |
5 |
2 |
5 |
22 |
23 |
17 |
|
Olympia Warriors |
11 |
3 |
2 |
6 |
18 |
28 |
11 |
|
Clarence Zebras |
11 |
3 |
1 |
7 |
20 |
30 |
10 |
|
Launceston City |
11 |
3 |
1 |
7 |
13 |
27 |
10 |
|
Riverside Olympic |
11 |
0 |
2 |
9 |
17 |
39 |
2 |
Photo: Daniel Brown and Hugh Ludford (represented by his father, Greg, (second from left), received framed photos at half-time in appreciation for their long service to South Hobart. Both captained the team. South Hobart president Vicki Morton presents Greg Ludford with Hugh Ludford's award while goalkeeper Mark Moncur looks on. [PlessPix]
Photo: Keith and Brian Roberts pose with Keith's wife and Brian's grandson and son-in-law Ian Colhoun. [PlessPix]
[My apologies for the lateness of the photographs to go with this article, but I was unable to download them on Saturday because the memory card was corrupted. To my relief, Walch Optics in Harrington Street were able to retrieve them from the card, but in much smaller format.]
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