Fifth-placed Kingborough Lions United can move into second spot on the NPL Tasmania standings with a win against Glenorchy Knights at KGV Park at 8.15pm today.
Knights are currently second and have only a slightly better goal-difference, so a Lions win could see them displace Knights from second spot.
Incidentally, with Lightwood Park still out of commission, this is a ‘home game’ for the Lions.
Kingborough will miss centre-back Tom Prince through suspension after he was sent off in only the 12th minute of last week’s game against Launceston City.
The dismissal meant Kingborough had to play most of the match with just 10 men and they lost 4-3. They produced a magnificent fightback but just could not manage to draw.
They should prove a handful for Knights this evening.
Knights scored a hugely important 1-0 win over South Hobart last Friday night.
They could have lost that game but for an inspired display of goalkeeping by their Canadian import, Jackson Gardner.
They will need to be less reliant on their custodian tonight against Lions and take their chances up front.
Knights may be without captain and centre-back Eli Luttmer, who sustained an arm injury last week and then a hamstring strain.
“This is a big three weeks for us and Kingborough will be another difficult game,” said Knights coach, James Sherman.
“They’re going forwards well and it looks like Freddy [Kingborough coach Alfred Hess] has made immediate improvements to their play.
“We just hope to improve on a solid 70 minutes last week and take lots of positives for the lads that are committed and keen to work for each other.”
The biggest game this weekend is probably the South Hobart versus Devonport Strikers game at South Hobart Oval at 2pm on Saturday.
Fourth-placed South Hobart cannot afford to lose this encounter if they want to stay in touch with the leaders.
Devonport are well on track to retain the title and they will be difficult to toss.
There have been some classic encounters between these two teams at this venue and it is to be hoped that Saturday throws up another one.
It’s unfortunate for neutral fans that this game clashes with another big showdown. At Wentworth Park at 2.30pm, Clarence Zebras host sister Italian club Launceston City in what should be an exciting and full-blooded encounter.
City are third and Clarence Zebras sixth and 4 points separate them.
The home side will be desperate to win in order to stay within touching distance of a top-four spot, while the visitors will be keen to continue their promising start to the season.
Clarence Zebras will be hoping that Josh Mathie and import Pritchard Adjei are finally fit to resume playing.
The bottom-of-the-table clash between Launceston United and Riverside Olympic is at Birch Avenue at 3.45pm on Saturday.
Home-ground advantage for United may just swing things in their favour.
What is certain is that one or both of these teams will get their first point or points of the season and thus break their duck.
NPL Tasmania (As at 15 April 2023)
|
TEAM |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
Pts |
|
Devonport Strikers |
4 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
14 |
3 |
10 |
|
Glenorchy Knights |
4 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
8 |
1 |
9 |
|
Launceston City |
4 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
7 |
5 |
9 |
|
South Hobart |
4 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
7 |
6 |
7 |
|
Kingborough Lions |
4 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
15 |
10 |
6 |
|
Clarence Zebras |
4 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
12 |
10 |
5 |
|
Launceston United |
4 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
4 |
17 |
0 |
|
Riverside Olympic |
4 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
2 |
17 |
0 |
Photo: Kingborough's Ahmad Ortman will pose a danger to the Knights. [PlessPix]
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