Under-strength Devonport still too good for Warriors

Photo:  Ali Dulleh gave Devonport the lead after just 5 minutes. [PlessPix]

(NPL Tasmania, Empire Couriers Park, Saturday, 13 August 2022)

Olympia Warriors 0

Devonport Strikers 4 (A Dulleh 5, own goal 64, R Garrido 79 pen, K Mulraney 90)

HT:  0-1   Ref:  J Hamilton

Olympia Warriors:  Stalker  -  Sloan, Holmes, Vandermey, Allan  -  Cummins, Vivarelli, Sammut, Simaan  -  Pickup, Barrett  [Subs:  Clothier, Kenna, Mamic, McGuinness (GK), Turner]

Devonport Strikers:  K Smith  -  D Smith, Reynolds, Barton  -  Reissig, Andrews, C Bidwell, Kidmas  -  Lanau-Atkinson, Garrido, Dulleh  [Subs:  Denehey, Mohammadi, Moradi, Mulraney, Parke]

Photo:  Ali Dulleh takes on the Olympia defence. [PlessPix]  

Devonport Strikers left several key players on the bench and midfielder Joel Stone didn’t even make the trip to Hobart.

The league-leaders obviously tried to win this game with a weakened team, and it worked.

But, Olympia fought bravely and, although under a lot of pressure, kept the score at a respectable 1-0 at half-time.

The goal came early.  In the 5^th minute, an attack down the right ended with Ali Dulleh on the left confronted with an empty goal and he nonchalantly rolled the ball into the net.

Devonport attacked relentlessly in the second half but in the early stages their shooting was woeful as they tried to walk the ball in the net.

A comical own-goal midway through the half made it 2-0 and seemed to give confidence to the visitors while at the same time demoralising the Warriors.

Photo:  Devonport's Brody Denehey got his chance late in the game. [PlessPix]  

Devonport coach Tom Ballantyne gradually introduced his full complement of substitutes, but the team tended to complicate their play and abandon simplicity in a vain endeavour for goals.

It took another stroke of good fortune to increase Devonport’s lead.  A penalty 11 minutes from the end was converted by Roberto Fernandez Garrido to make the score look a bit more respectable.

To add insult to injury, Olympia conceded a needless fourth in the last minute.  Goalkeeper Mitch Stalker, who must have been disappointed with his performance in this match, let a corner from the left slip from his hands as he leapt for the ball.  Substitute and usual captain, centre-back Kieran Mulraney, stationed at the far post, couldn’t believe his luck as the ball continued towards him, enabling him to power a header into the net..

Photo:  Devonport substitute Yasin Mohammadi about to take a tumble. [PlessPix]  

This was a somewhat disappointing Devonport performance, but they have the title in the bag, so who is complaining?

Olympia showed some spirit, but that is not enough to win football matches.

The only game in the north ended in a 2-2 draw between bottom-side Riverside Olympic and fifth-ranked Launceston City.

Riverside, who were at home, led 1-0 after just 4 minutes and 2-0 just short of the hour-mark.

Gediminas Krusa then weighed in with two goals in two minutes (in the 78^th and 80^th minutes) to salvage a point for Launceston City.

Photo:  Devonport's Roberto Fernandez Garrido missed several gilt-edged chances against Olympia on Saturday.  Here, he tries to take on the entire Olympia defence. [PlessPix]  

NPL Tasmania Standings (As at 13 August 2022)

TEAM	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Devonport Strikers	17	15	1	1	57	10	46
South Hobart	17	11	3	3	57	16	36
Kingborough Lions	17	11	2	4	46	28	35
Glenorchy Knights	17	10	1	6	38	20	31
Launceston City	17	8	2	7	32	39	26
Clarence Zebras	17	4	2	11	30	41	14
Olympia Warriors	17	2	0	15	17	62	6
Riverside Olympic	17	0	3	14	9	71	3

Photo:  Olympia's Ewan Sloan clears as Devonport's Ali Dulleh goes to tackle. [PlessPix]
 

  Photo:  Olympia's Joel Sammut tangles with Devonport's Aaron Kidmas. [PlessPix]

Photo:  Devonport's Toby Barton is second to this header. [PlessPix]

Photo:  Devonport's Toby Barton is grounded. [PlessPix]

Photo:  Fahim Moradi also started on the bench for Devonport.  Devonport performed very well against A-League side Wellington Phoenix in the Australia Cup the week before, despite losing 4-0, but only a shadow of that was visible against Olympia.  There was no sign of young midfielder Taylor Last, who starred against Wellington.  Did the New Zealanders take him back with them for a trial? [PlessPix]

Photo:  Olympia goalkeeping coach Martin Piesse (right) makes some points to keeper Mitch Stalker at the interval. [PlessPix]