Are the NPL standings already roughly determined after only round 2?

 

Photo:  Kingborough's Kobe Kemp dances a jig after scoring one of his four goals against Riverside. [PlessPix]

What is there to say about last Saturday’s NPL Tasmania results?

It is all so predictable.

It seems to me that the top-four is already decided, but not necessarily in the final order.

It seems certain that Glenorchy Knights, Devonport City, South Hobart and Kingborough Lions United will occupy the top four positions, but possibly not in that order.

As for the bottom four placings, you only need to look at the standings now and you will see that Launceston United. Riverside Olympic, Clarence Zebras and Launceston City will prop up the table.  In which order remains to be seen, of course.

Knights deserve top spot at present and they demonstrated that by beating Launceston City 4-0 away on City’s turf.

Knights have now won their opening two games, away in Launceston, and have scored 13 goals without reply.

Launceston United defied the odds initially by leading Devonport City 4-0 at home at Birch Avenue, only to succumb 6-4 to the reigning champions in the end.

There are various theories floating about regarding this game.

My own opinion is that Devonport coach Tom Ballantyne may have told his team that this should be an easy game which won’t test us at all, so let’s give them a 4-goal start and then begin playing and make a game of it.

I have no evidence for this at all, of course, but it makes a good story.

Photo:  Riverside's Gediminas Krusa takes on the Lions' Matthew Hess.  Krusa is the only player in Tasmania to have actually played in a Europa League, the competition beneath the Champions League,  game in Europe. [PlessPix]

Kingborough Lions United easily accounted for Riverside Olympic 8-1, with Kobe Kemp the star.  Her netted four goals.

The Lions led 2-0 when Riverside’s Adrian Anthony conceded a penalty and was sent off.

That helped the home side immeasurably and they ran away with the game from then on.

Photo:  South Hobart's Matthew Oh calmly heads the ball back to his own keeper. [PlessPix]

South Hobart downed Clarence Zebras 3-1, but it could have been closer as the visitors had some very good chances.  Brilliant goalkeeping by South’s Nick O’Connell certainly helped in getting them the 3 points.

Well, that’s about it from me.  I often wonder if writing reports and summaries may be a bit of a waste of time as everyone has probably seen the footage of all the goals, and some people these days won’t read more than a paragraph.

That’s probably cynical on my part, but who can tell me I’m wrong?

NPL Tasmania

South Hobart 3 ((S Berezansky 52, A Walter 56 pen, N Morton 90+3) beat Clarence Zebras 1 (J Maundrill 71)

Kingborough Lions United 8 (A Brown 18, E Luttmer 32, K Kemp 39 pen, 52, 65, 85, A Hess 57, N Mies 59) beat Riverside Olympic 1 (E Farias 64)

Launceston United 4 (A Kenneh 13, 22, S Lowe 28, J Digney 30) lost to  Devonport City 6 (B Denehey 45+2, M Burnley 45+ 6, K Mulraney 52, R Ichimura 65, 67, C Bidwell 80)

Launceston City 0 lost to Glenorchy Knights 4 (R Dillon 45+1, 68, S Cordwell 59, T Harrison 72)