Friday, June 23, 2023

Is it a one-horse or two-horse race? That is the question.

Photo:  Can Marco Favaro swing things in favour of the Knights on Sunday? [PlessPix] 

Glenorchy Knights must beat South Hobart at South Hobart Oval on Sunday if they are to keep alive their title hopes.

Reigning champions and current leaders Devonport Strikers should beat second-last Riverside Olympic at home at Valley Road on Saturday, so if Knights lose, the North-West Coast side would open up a 7-point lead at the half-way mark of the season.

Knights coach, James Sherman, already considers it a one-horse race.

“We have to play on Sunday without pressure and not thinking we have to catch them,” Sherman said.  “We have to have belief, though, although no-one really expects us to catch them.

“I can’t see Devonport losing four games, but we do still have to play them twice.

“With the transfer window open, we’ll have a new player and also add a few of our under-21s into our NPL list.”

Nick Naden will be back after a lengthy absence through injury and new Canadian signing Marco Favaro will play in midfield.

“It’ll be a big occasion for us, but we haven’t done too well there in our past two games.,” Sherman added.

The heavy rain is expected to churn up the pitch and make things difficult for both sides.

A battle royal can be expected and being the only NPL game on Sunday, a good crowd can be expected for such an important match.

Clarence Zebras could move into third place if South Hobart lose because they host bottom-side Launceston United at Wentworth Park at 2.30pm on Saturday and should win.

A win would put them third for at least 24 hours at least.

Photo:  Clarence Zebras' new Canadian striker, Ryley Wishart, will make his debut against Launceston United. [PlessPix] 

Launceston City got an absolute thrashing last week and will be keen to atone when they entertain Kingborough Lions United at Prospect on Saturday.

NPL Tasmania (As at 17 June 2023)

TEAM

P

W

D

L

F

A

Pts

Devonport Strikers

10

9

1

0

37

8

28

Glenorchy Knights

10

8

0

2

22

4

24

South Hobart

10

5

2

3

28

17

17

Clarence Zebras

10

5

2

3

24

19

17

Launceston City

10

5

1

4

17

18

16

Kingborough Lions

10

4

0

6

34

21

12

Riverside Olympic

10

1

0

9

5

46

3

Launceston United

10

0

0

10

7

41

0

 

 

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

If Lions don't win this match, that has to be the end of Mr Hess. Such a poor season. Deserves to go already. But let's see what happens.

Anonymous said...

Could be a battle of the coaches between Lions and City. Loser could see coach go