Devonport Striker are favoured to win the 2021 NPL Tasmania title with just two games remaining.
They have a 3-point lead over second-placed Glenorchy Knights and a better goal-difference, which should see them retain their title even if they lose to the Knights next weekend away at KGV Park.
Devonport beat third-placed South Hobart 2-1 at Valley Road, a result which made it impossible for South Hobart to take out the title.
Glenorchy Knights struggled to secure a 1-0 win over Clarence Zebras and they now face an almost impossible task to pip Devonport for the title.
The league’s leading marksman, Brody Denehey, gave Devonport the lead against South Hobart midway through the first half, but Kasper Hallam equalised just before the interval.
South Hobart goalkeeper Nick O’Connell must have had a sudden rush of blood to the head 9 minutes after the resumption as he retaliated to a slight challenge by Joel Stone and knocked the Devonport player over unnecessarily, prompting the referee to award a penalty, which was converted by Denehey to give Devonport a 2-1 win.
Knights had almost all the possession and chances against Clarence Zebras but managed just a single goal.
They spread the ball beautifully from flank to flank with long diagonal balls, but there was no-one to finish the inviting crosses from the wings.
The breakthrough came in the 48th minute when Eli Luttmer headed home Eduardo Castaneda’s corner to give Knights victory.
Clarence Zebras had two chances to embarrass the Knights. Riley Dillon fired wide early in the second half after a quick counter-attack, while James Ackerley was unable to get to a cross at the far post and head at goal.
In other games, Olympia Warriors beat bottom-side Riverside Olympic 4-1 at home at Warrior Park through goals by Kyle Vincent, Matthew Bomford, Bilal Ait Maamar and Brayton Allan.
William Humphrey had given Riverside a shock early lead before succumbing meekly.
Kingborough Lions United made sure of fourth place with a 4-1 away win over Launceston City at Buckby Motors Park.
NPL Tasmania Results:
Devonport Strikers 2-1 South Hobart
Olympia Warriors 4-1 Riverside Olympic
Glenorchy Knights 1-0 Clarence Zebras
Launceston City 1-4 Kingborough Lions United
NPL Tasmania standings (As at 28 August 2021)
|
TEAM |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
Pts |
|
Devonport City |
19 |
15 |
2 |
2 |
53 |
12 |
47 |
|
Glenorchy Knights |
19 |
13 |
5 |
1 |
51 |
17 |
44 |
|
South Hobart |
19 |
11 |
4 |
4 |
46 |
22 |
37 |
|
Kingborough Lions |
19 |
9 |
4 |
6 |
38 |
36 |
30 |
|
Launceston City |
19 |
7 |
1 |
11 |
25 |
43 |
22 |
|
Olympia Warriors |
19 |
5 |
3 |
11 |
30 |
43 |
18 |
|
Clarence Zebras |
19 |
4 |
3 |
12 |
27 |
51 |
15 |
|
Riverside Olympic |
19 |
0 |
3 |
16 |
24 |
71 |
3 |
9 comments:
Poor refereeing handed Devonport the title. South Hobart should have had a penalty near the end of that game. Young striker got taken out from behind in the box. Such a shame it was decided by an obvious blunder.
Knights supporter by any chance? Nobody gets handed a title. You earn them. That's the difference between Port and Knights. One works hard to win the other simply try to buy it.
Could be a south supporter you haven't seen the game have you?
Had a look at the footage from Dev vs Sth Hobart. Any other minute of the game and the ref blows a penalty for the challenge on Sth striker late in the game. Not malicious but clumsy and the ref is not one to shy from blowing a free kick/penalty usually. Bottled this one.
It looked like a laughable attempt to con the referee to me, clearly some here are easily fooled
A lot of what if moments in every game - looks like a foul in last minute but there were others -- including foul on Bidwell in penalty area in 66th minute - clear foul and penalty , but not awarded?
I'm with you.yes 8:46 I watched it.
One eyed Dev Porters. Even a bunch of your own supporters agree that was a penalty. Get over yourselves.
I sure hope there is a review of referees performance, because quality was poor.
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