Monday, March 20, 2023

It's going to be a long season for Launceston United

Photo:  Knights' new signing from the U.S., Daniel Sagno, made his debut against Launceston United, comingon a second-half substitute.  He was fast and lively and possesses a powerful shot. [PlessPix] 

The 2023 NPL Tasmania season kicked off in Launceston on Friday night with  Launceston Cit accounting for Riverside Olympic 2-0 in the local derby at Prospect.

Fine goals by Toby Simeoni in the 20th minute and Stefan Tantari 17 minutes from the end gave the home side the win.

Riverside goalkeeper Daniel Nash saved a penalty to deny City a third goal.

On Saturday, reigning champions Devonport City suffered a slight setback when they were held to a 1-1 draw at home at Valley Road by Clarence Zebras.

Photo:  Knights' Rowan Pitt is tackled by United's Will Spicer. [PlessPix] 

Devonport took the lead in the 10th minute when Roberto Garrido turned an Ali Dulleh cross from the left into the net.

Xuan Cappellino took advantage of a poor attempt by Devonport to play out from the back at a goal-kick to scored from an acute angle and make it 1-1.

Given the two team’ form last season, I’d say this was clearly a case of Devonport dropping 2 points and Clarence Zebras gaining a point.

South Hobart scraped home 2-1 against Kingborough Lions United at South Hobart Oval.

Noah Mies gave the Lions a 1-0 half-time lead when he netted in the 7th minute.

South Hobart fought back and two goals in 5 minutes midway through the second half did the trick.

Photo:  Bradley Lakoseljac heads the equaliser for South Hobart against the Lions. [PlessPix] 

In the 66th-minute, a left-wing cross by Lachlan Semmler was headed home at the far post by Bradley Lakoseljac.

In the 71st minute, a long ball forward by Nick Morton led to an error by Kingborough keeper Roan Gillam on the edge of the box.

Gillam tried to clear with his feet but lost control of the ball and a clever back-heel by South Hobart’s Jaden Fidra set up Iskander Van Doorne for a simple finish to make it 2-1 for the home side.

Photo:  Knights' Jack Turner is impeded by Launceston United's Christian Byard. [PlessPix] 

Glenorchy Knights made hard work of beating Launceston United 2-0 at KGV Park.

Knights had 34 shots at goal, 16 of which were on target, while newcomers to the NPL, Launceston United, had one effort at goal, which was off target.

That came from a back-header by Walter Da Silva Filho, who was injured and replaced at the interval.

Youngster Lucas Dzelakowsi scored both goals for Knights with powerful left-footed drives in the 33rd and 51st-minutes.

I think it’s going to be a long season for United.

Photo:  Launceston United keeper Aidan Piper goes for a cross. [PlessPix]

Photo:  South Hobart's Sam Berezansky gets in a cross despite the efforts of Kingborough's Matt Hess to block. [PlessPix]

Photo:  Noah Mies (out of picture) opens the scoring for Kingborough. [PlessPix] 

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Legitimate question:

Did the coach for Kingborough play any minutes?

If he didn't then it seems like he had little faith in the rest of the squad during summer cup so he thought he was the best candidate to fill in but once the season started it was all good

Before anyone gets annoyed, not everyone can make games on a Saturday because, if you're unaware, people do work weekends and are unable to attend

XOXO

Ben Smith said...

Alfred Hess played 90 minutes at centre back.

Anonymous said...

It is also going to be a long season for Kingborough.
That was the worst performance I have seen from South for a number of years.
Very slow/poor going forward. Little support from players behind when going foward.
Huge spaces in midfield as a result , which Kingborough didn't utilise at all, preferring to go long diagonal ball after long diagonal ball. Boring .

Anonymous said...

Ok Bernie