NPL Tasmania clubs Devonport City, Glenorchy Knights, Launceston City, Riverside Olympic, Kingborough Lions United and Clarence Zebras are through to the quarterfinals of the Lakoseljac Cup.
Second-tier club Hobart City is also through and will be joined by either South East United or Olympia Warriors from the second-tier after they meet in a Round-of-16 game at Sorell tomorrow [Monday, 2pm].
The shock of the round was the exit of NPL club South Hobart, who went down 2-1 away to Launceston City at Prospect.
Dieseil Murfet and Thierry Swaby were City’s marksmen while Sam Berezansky replied for the southern visitors.
Both teams are in the NPL so it’s drawing a long bow to say it was a giant-killing act.
Cup-holders Devonport City received an early shock when home-side New Town White Eagles took the lead in the 3rd minute. A pinpoint cross from the right by the speedy Matthew Pace was powerfully headed home by Andy Taylor.
Shogo Umazume fired home through a crowded goalmouth in the 25th minute to make it 1-1.
His Japanese compatriot Riku Ichimura netted 10 minutes later to give the visitors a 2-1 lead.
Two second-half goals by Brody Denehey in the 55th and 75th minutes, gave Devonport an expected victory.
Devonport were the fitter side and Eagles tired in the second half, but they did have chances to add to their tally but were let down by poor finishing.
Eagles also suffered an early blow when the experienced Adam McKeown went off with a hamstring injury.
They were also missing aggressive winger Ben Whitehall and dangerous striker George Ivanov.
Devonport do not seem as good as last season, New goalkeeper Noah Calamatta has yet to impress, while new centre-forward Declan Zasadny has yet to make his mark.
“Devonport were the better side,” said Eagles coach, Tommy Fotak.
“They’re the best team in the State and ultimately that showed.
“Our players can hold their heads up. They gave a really good account of themselves today,
“Unfortunately, I don’t think the score shows that. Devonport were more clinical and deserved winners.”
Devonport City midfielder, Charles Bidwell, said: “It was difficult and frustrating at times, but I think we tried to stick to our game plan and at times it didn’t work, but we got through it.
“They were pretty ferocious and came out swinging and kicking, which we expected, and we tried to give it back but at times we just let it get to our heads. Yeah, frustrating. The first half for sure.
“The second half we came out and tried to fight back and we got some goals but the performance wasn’t there.
“We’re going to need to build on that for next week and in the league and in the cup.”
NPL strugglers Riverside Olympic showed the gulf that exists between the two tiers of football by beating Hobart United 4-1. Riverside even scored an own goal to soften the blow for United.
It’s going to be a long season for NPL club Launceston United.
They were absolutely thrashed by visitors Kingborough Lions United, who won 7-0.
Alexander Brown is proving to be an emerging star for the Lions, scoring in the league and in the cup. He hit a hat-trick in this game.
Clarence Zebras left their league form behind and managed a 3-0 away win against Ulverstone.
Ryan Cook’s switch from defence to centre-forward is proving a success and he scored two of the goals, the other one coming from a rejuvenated Jeremy Price.
Second-tier strugglers Hobart City came away from Somerset with a 4-1 win over the Sharks.
City are struggling in the Southern Championship so it doesn’t say much for the standard of the Northern Championship
Lakoseljac Cup - NPL Tasmania
Launceston City 2 (Diesel Murfet, Thierry Swaby) beat South Hobart 1 (Sam Berezansky)
New Town White Eagles 1 (Andrew Taylor 3) lost to Devonport City 4 (Shogo Umazume 25, Riku Ichimura 35, Brody Denehey 55, 75)
Riverside Olympic 4 (Emanuel Farias 6, 29, James Trevis 29, James Pelletier 66) beat Hobart United 1 (Zac Reissig 53 og)
Launceston United 0 lost to Kingborough Lions United 7 (Alexander Brown 25, 35, 76, Kobe Kemp 28, 30, Toby Moss 60, Matthew Hess 71)
Somerset Sharks 1 (Beau Blizzard 11) lost to Hobart City 4 (Thomas Coomber 9, Oluwaseyi Ojelabi 45+2, 58, Michael Monticchio 74)
Launceston City 2 (Diesel Murfet, Thierry Swaby) beat South Hobart 1 (Sam Berezansky)
Ulverstone 0 lost to Clarence Zebras 3 (Ryan Cook 14, 29, Jeremy Price 72)
11 comments:
Walter, it was great to see Matthew Pace consistently beating the Devonport backline with his speed and skill. He would be a welcome addition to the NPL.
Eagles came out "swinging and kicking". What an absolute joke of a comment. They must be used to playing teams that just roll-over without a laying a tackle because they are playing the almighty Devonport. This was by no means a "dirty" game as the yellow card-count for both team attests. It was disappointing for Eagles (and fortunate for Devonport) that their striker Sam Leszczynski was unavailable because of injury and captain Andy Clark could only make a late cameo appearance because a week-long illness as their presence, cost them what was in the end a realistic chance of a win.
Lot of players better than the WSL and NPL out there .
It is funny to hear coaches rabbit on about talented young players 7 years ago they would have been lucky to bench
Dreamer it is because Penvonport are so used to getting their own way when they winge to referees. They are a protected species with 2 referees in particular.
For a team that were missing 3-4 starting players, Eagles certainly still took it to a full strength Devonport and could’ve pushed them to the end if it weren’t for poor lapses in concentration for the goals.
Devonport certainly won’t take the NPL title easily this season after watching them against Eagles.
Charles just showing everyone how Devonport see themselves as victims
Eagles Keeper looks NPL material !
Respectfully disagree. Certainly doesn’t stand out in the league but that’s about the standard for a top-half Southern Champ team.
Is there a post that you don't put this same boring comment on?
I would like to think I could help you through this. Get some good sleep please
I love reading these comments. Makes my day. Thanks Walter
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