Devonport benefit from draw between the two NPL front-runners

Photo:  Nick Morton sends the Knights keeper the wrong way and puts South Hobart ahead with a penalty. [PlessPix] 

Glenorchy Knights and South Hobart drew 1-1 at South Hobart Oval on Saturday in a result that benefited only reigning champions Devonport City.

City had slipped up a week before with a draw, but they won on Saturday, 5-1 away to Riverside Olympic, and this enabled them to catch up with the leading pair and actually moved into second spot on goal-difference.

Knights, Devonport and South all have 10 points, one more tham fourth=placed Kingborough Lions United, who beat fifth-ranked Launceston City 2-1 at Lightwood Park.

Clarence Zebras, who are third from bottom, earned their first win by downing second-last Launceston United 6-1 at home at Wentworth Park.

Knights had the better of South Hobart but lax finishing let the home side off the hook.

Stefan Cordwell was presented with some great chances but he kept firing high.

Joshua Redfearn was also dangerous in attack for the Knights but his finishing left much to be desired.

The man-of-the-match was Knights centre-back Jack Glover, who was calm and cool under pressure and played his way out of trouble intelligently.  He read the game to perfection and distributed the ball wisely and skilfully.  He has been a great signing for the club.

Photo:  Glenorchy Knights' Jack Glover in control of the situation. [PlessPix] 

Knights missed their rising star, Thomas Walpole, a former South Hobart youngster, who was ruled out through illness only a couple of hours before kick-off.

And, Knights suffered a blow when Nick Mearns failed to appear for the second half after a blow to the head by the ball late in the first half.

After a goalless opening half, South Hobart took the lead in the 72^nd minute through a penalty awarded for Jake Parish’s foul on Harrison Oates and converted by Nick Morton.

Photo:  South Hobart's Alex Walter is 'run over' by Knights' Jack Glover. [PlessPix] 

Knights salvaged a point when a long clearance by Parish saw a moment’s hesitancy between South defenders Adam Gorrie and Raphael Reynolds, which enabled Riley Dillon to gain possession and advance on goal before beating keeper Nick O’Connell.

Devonport took the lead against Riverside through Toby Barton after just 12 minutes, while Charles Bidwell made it 2-0 on the stroke
of half-time.

Barton completed his brace when he netted Devonport’s third 7 minutes after the resumption and a spectacular first-time volley by Brody Denehey in the 57^th minute made it 4-0.

Riku Ichimura, who has surprisingly started on the bench for Devonport, was introduced on the hour and grabbed his side’s fifth goal 10 minutes from the end.

Photo:  South Hobart's Sam Berezansky tries to get around Knights' Josh Cauteruccio. [PlessPix] 

Launceston City took the lead against Kingborough Lions United just before the break through a penalty by Will Humphrey after Eli Luttmer had fouled Thierry Swaby.

Luttmer atoned for his indiscretion 7 minutes after the interval with a superb header from Keenan Douce’s free-kick from the left.

Noah Mies sealed the points for the home side with a penalty in the 68^th minute.

Clarence Zebras finally had a win, and it was an emphatic one against Launceston United at Wentworth Park.

Ayouba Kenneh gave the northerners a shock lead in the 7^th minute, but goals by Cade Smith and Sam Tooze put the home side 2-1 up at the interval.

Second-half goals by Smith, Ben Tilley, Kyle Vincent and Sam Cummins completed the victory.

Photo:  Knights' Jack Glover thwarts South Hobart's Harrison Oates. [PlessPix] 

 NPL Tasmania

South Hobart 1 (N Morton 72 pen) drew with Glenorchy Knights 1 (R Dillon 80)

Kingborough Lions United 2 (E Luttmer 52, N Mies 68 pen) beat Launceston City 1 (W Humphrey 42 pen)

Riverside Olympic 1 (Z Reissig 88) lost to Devonport City 5 (T Barton 12, 52, C Bidwell 45+2, B Denehey 57, R Ichimura 80)

Clarence Zebras 6 (C Smith 18, 48, S Tooze 34, B Tilley 58, K Vincent 78, S Cummins 90) beat Launceston United 1 (A Kenneh 7)

Photo (L-R):  Knights fans Joe Brkic, Robbie Baric and Robin Brkic at Saturday's game at South Hobart Oval. [PlessPix] 

 NPL Tasmania Standings (As at 13 April 2024)

TEAM	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Glenorchy Knights	4	3	1	0	22	2	10
Devonport City	4	3	1	0	14	5	10
South Hobart	4	3	1	0	10	4	10
Kingborough Lions	4	3	0	1	17	7	9
Launceston City	4	1	1	2	4	6	4
Clarence Zebras	4	1	0	3	9	13	3
Launceston United	4	0	0	4	6	24	0
Riverside Olympic	4	0	0	4	3	24	0

Photo (L-R):  Three generations of the Brkic family at Saturday's game.  Mark Brikic, Charlie Brkic and Joe Brkic. [PlesssPix]