Monday, September 4, 2023

Devonport stunned by Lions comeback

Photo:  Knights' Hugh Undy leaps into action against Clarence Zebras. [PlessPix] 

Kingborough Lions United won their seventh game on the trot when they downed recently crowned league champions Devonport Strikers 4-3 at home at Clennett’s Lightwood Park on Saturday.

It was hardly the result the visitors wanted, even through they had already won the title.

It must have brought back memories of 2021, when Devonport lost the title by losing to the Lions at Lightwood Park on the final day of the season.

On Saturday they fell behind to a Declan Taylor goal in the 18th minute but bounced back to lead 3-1 through goals by Nick Lanau-Atkinson in the 37th minute, a penalty by Roberto Garrido in the 53rd minute, and a header from a corner by Toby Barton in the 71st minute.

Photo:  Devonport's Charles Bidwell tackles Kingborough's Kobe Kemp. [PlessPix] 

Kingborough refused to surrender, however, and fought back through Taylor in the 77th minute and Ahmad Othman in the 85th minute to make it 3-3 with 5 minutes of normal time remaining.

In the 4th minute of stoppage time, Taylor popped up with the winner to complete his hat-trick.

The win made sure of fourth spot on the standings for Kingborough and they could even finish third.

On the Friday night, Glenorchy Knights easily brushed aside Clarence Zebras 4-0 at home at KGV Park.

Clarence Zebras were without imports Pritchard Adjei and Ryely Wishart after they were involved in a fight at training.

Nick Naden netted twice for Knights while the other goals came from Adam Gorrie and Hugh Undy.

Naden’s first was from a delicate header after Jaxon Richardson’s free-kick, while his second came with a powerful shot following Jack Turner’s pass.

Gorrie netted with a stunning shot into the top corner at the near right-hand post, while Undy accurately steered home a header following a cross from the right by Naden.

Photo:  Knights' Rowan Pitt clashes with Clarence Zebras keeper Josh Jones. [PlessPix] 

South Hobart easily accounted for Riverside Olympic 6-1 away at Windsor Park, while bottom-side Launceston United gained their second point of the season in as many weeks by coming back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Launceston City at home at Birch Avenue.

Youngster Harrison Oates hit a hat-trick for South Hobart, whose other goals came from Bradley Lakoseljac, Nick Morton and Jackson Dent.

Gediminas Krusa netted for Riverside in the 17th minute to make it 1-1 before South sprinted away to an easy win in the second half.

William Humphrey and Toby Simeoni gave City a 2-0 lead, but second-half strikes by Jaeden Mercure and Connor Reading made it 2-2.

Photo:  Kingborough celebrate a Declan Taylor goal. [PlessPix] 

 NPL Tasmania (As at 2 September 2023)

TEAM

P

W

D

L

F

A

Pts

Devonport Strikers

20

17

1

2

66

17

52

Glenorchy Knights

20

13

1

6

48

18

40

South Hobart

20

12

3

5

59

29

39

Kingborough Lions

20

12

0

8

62

36

36

Clarence Zebras

20

8

2

10

47

51

26

Launceston City

20

8

2

10

25

32

26

Riverside Olympic

20

4

1

15

19

74

13

Launceston United

20

0

2

18

14

83

2

 

Photo:  Glenorchy Knights and Clarence Zebras observe a minute's silence before their game in memory of former Hobart Juventus president Ernesto Schiro. [PlessPix]

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Cannot find any old tables on FFT site but think South's last title came courtesy of a Port draw at the Den on last day of season a la 21 also.

Benjamin Smith said...

Not sure what year or game you are thinking off. South Hobart's last title win was in 2017 won by 8 points. Also Devonport Strikers only draw at Lightwood Park was Round 7, 2020.

Anonymous said...

South Hobart's last title would have been 2017 and round 21 Devonport beat Kingborough 2-0.

Anonymous said...

Apologies, way off.. it was SPL2012 season. Think the only other season which went down to the final minute and did at least involve Kingborough beating Eagles at Den 3;2.