When you need a goal, call the Lawman.
That’s what Manchester United fans and coaches used to say when Denis Law played for them.
At Devonport Strikers, you call Roberto Fernandez Garrido, their Spanish import.
Last Saturday, Garrido scored both their goals within three minutes of each other early in the second half as they disposed of visitors South Hobart 2-0 at Valley Road.
The win put them 15 points clear of second-placed Glenorchy Knights at the top of the standings with two games remaining.
The defeat cost South Hobart second place as Glenorchy Knights also lost the previous evening.
They went down 2-0 to fourth-ranked Kingborough Lions United on a fine surface and under superb lights at Lightwood Park in Kingston.
Kingborough have win six games on the trot and the positive effect of player-coach Alfred Hess is there for all to see.
He has silenced his detractors by inspiring his side to play winning football, and he has scored vital goal himself to earn victories.
Hess opened the scoring midway through the first half after some brilliant play for Kobe Kemp, while the excellent Declan Taylor netted the second a minute before the interval.
The closest the Knights came to scoring was early in the match when Marco Favaro rattled the Kingborough crossbar with a fierce shot.
Knights were without coach James Sherman, who was attending a coaching course interstate, and they missed the drive of Nicholas Mearns out on the pitch.
.JPG)
“I think it was probably our best performance of the year,” said Alfred Hess.
“Certainly, in the first half, I felt great control was achieved and it was nice to end with a result like that.
“We created a lot of high-end opportunities and we denied them many.
“They are a quality side, but probably for us, it’s just a reflection of a non-linear progression of our development and more consistency now, so, yeah, that’s probably about it.
“It was a really well-constructed victory.
“We’re achieving more consistency and learning and changing behaviour and it’s complex and not linear.
“We’re establishing a foundation on which we can build on next year. That’s quite exciting.
“Players have worked diligently to get us to this point and we’ll look to build from there next year.”
.JPG)
Kingborough entertain the newly crowned champions, Devonport Strikers, at Lightwood Park next Saturday.
Hess said Devonport were worthy champions and it would be a great opportunity for his side to test themselves against a quality opponent.
Bottom-side Launceston United earned their first point of the season when a goal in the 6th minute of stoppage time by Aidan Rigby gave them a 1-1 draw with Riverside Olympic at home at Birch Avenue.
Gediminas Krusa had given visitors Riverside a 70th-minute lead.
Clarence Zebras won the so-called ‘Italian Derby’ at Bucky Motors Park in Launceston by beating Launceston City 3-0.
After a goalless opening half, Xuan Cappellino struck 2 minutes after the break to out the visitors ahead.
Ryley Wishart made it 2-0 on the hour, while Matthew Pace added the southerners’ third in the 7th minute of stoppage time.
The three Launceston clubs occupy the bottom three placings on the ladder and that in itself tells a story.
NPL Tasmania
Kingborough Lions United 2-0 Glenorchy Knights
Devonport Strikers 2-0 South Hobart
Launceston United 1-1 Riverside Olympic
Launceston City 0-3 Clarence Zebras
NPL Tasmania (As at 26 August 2023)
|
TEAM |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
Pts |
|
Devonport Strikers |
19 |
17 |
1 |
1 |
63 |
13 |
52 |
|
Glenorchy Knights |
19 |
12 |
1 |
6 |
44 |
18 |
37 |
|
South Hobart |
19 |
11 |
3 |
5 |
53 |
28 |
36 |
|
Kingborough Lions |
19 |
11 |
0 |
8 |
58 |
33 |
33 |
|
Clarence Zebras |
19 |
8 |
2 |
9 |
47 |
47 |
26 |
|
Launceston City |
18 |
8 |
1 |
9 |
23 |
29 |
25 |
|
Riverside Olympic |
18 |
3 |
1 |
14 |
17 |
68 |
10 |
|
Launceston United |
19 |
0 |
1 |
18 |
12 |
81 |
0 |
30 comments:
Litmus test for borough this weekend rather then an average knights team missing half a team
Charles Bidwell absolutely destroyed the south hobart midfield. he didnt directly contribute to the goals but won every dual and second ball. meant south didnt have the ball so their 'ball playing midfielders' were useless.
Anon 2.16PM.
I think you maybe spot on.
And Knights not as good as many believe.
And they still are second
No Garrido no Port … Port have been the most consistent side this year no doubt …. But geez shows what difference a decent import makes
For now Knights will finish third South second which is a fair reflection given Knights couldn’t even make the Laka or Summer cup finals
City dropped most of their local talent for imports that are no better than the locals and here they are finishing 6th place ??
Anon 7.54pm
Yes only 15 points behind Devonport!
This year it has been Devonport and then the rest.
As I said, “Knights not as good as many believe”
Righto entertain me…. Who exactly has been dropped
Yeh fair call
Another day another City loss...
City have really improved under the guidance of their coach Syson. Great appointment from the City board. What many at the club thought, has been proven
932. Doesn’t hurt when you know that 2 certain referees will guarantee you 10 crucial penalties a season when u go down easily in the box.
1021 pm. Riverside have spent bigger dollars this year to finish 7th. Many local players have lost interest to make way for second or third rate imports
Fancy appointing a Devonport reserves player as coach
How delightful was that ball from Gedi! He the man
Haha Riverside spending more than City. You’d have to say Gedi is a better import than any of City’s. City only appointed Syson as they thought he would bring some Port players with him. The drive in players for Port made the right decision staying where they are that’s for sure.
Don’t worry. They will beat united and think there doing a great job
You guys realise Riverside are still 12 points below City right…
The “drive in players” for Devonport are there to play in a title winning team. I don’t think they’re interested in building up a club in Launceston from the bottom or mid table, so I don’t think city or anyone else is luring them away whilst Devonport are still winning as comfortably as they are. Could be wrong though…. Maybe this off season some move.
Riverside have to be splashing cash to bring in the coach and number of not just imports but other players like Kidmas and Gedi. The rumours around where this money has come from are as interesting as the reasons behind their coaches suspension.
A few here are ripping City for pushing the local talent out. As far as I can see his just made them earn their spot. Which for an NPL team should be expected I imagine? This was the whole point of the 21’s was it not?
The young guys at river would have more to complain about in this regard I expect ….. but it helped them chalk up a win and still draw to United all whilst their coach is still banned so money well spent I guess
What are the rumours behind the money? And I still can’t get a straight answer about why the coach was banned?
I love how city’s measure of success is beating river and united
Ben T - now we know its a valley road final interesting to see how morton will (if they make it) change his tactics otherwise it'll be another dport show. south do have the best 'ball playing midfield' no doubt but that game is proof at a small ground like dport where the ball is in the air and always in contest shows you have to have players that compete and not try to look pretty otherwise bidwell will again use his physical presence and no one will keep up.
745 you make some valid points. several “drive in “ players will leave Devonport next season as it’s along way to go 3 or 4 times a week to play a few minutes NPL each week if they are lucky
It’s more highlighting that if City is having a bad year, Riverside’s is abysmal
If that’s the case, none will want to play for City unless they change their coach. Back to Riverside or United any day.
Imagine how good City could be if they had a coach
Missed three games last year through suspension and the Strikers won all three. The sum is greater than the parts at Valley Rd.
No one is using that as a measure of success
Spoken like a true rangers old boy haha
Post a Comment