NPL top-four just about set in concrete

Photo:  Kingborough's Kobe Kemo tries to stop Knights' Matthew Brkic from clearing. [PlessPix]

It’s tight at the top of the NPL Tasmania standings after the fifth round of matches last weekend involving the leading four sides.

They couldn’t be separated and both games ended in draws.

On the Friday night, Glenorchy Knights and Kingborough Lions United drew 2-2 at KGV Park in an exciting match featuring some terrible misses.

If the sides had taken their chances, who know what the score might have been.

How does one shoot over the bar from just outside the six-yard box with the goal at your mercy?  Lack of composure?  Shock at being presented with the chance?

The Lions took the lead just before half-time when Jack Glover brought down Alexander Brown to concede a penalty, which was easily converted by Kobe Kemp.

Photo:  Glenorchy Knights' goalkeeper Angus Burdon is a rising moon...oops, I mean, rising star of the NPL competition. [PlessPix]

Prior to that, Knights’ young goalkeeper Angus Burdon had produced a brilliant instinctive save to deflect a powerful shot from the right of the box.

Riley Dillon set up the equaliser for Glover shortly after the resumption, but a Noah Mies header restored the visitors’ lead.

A clever attack down the left involving Matthew Brkic and Dillon enabled Joshua Redfearn to equalise for Knights just past the hour mark and that’s how it stayed.

Photo (L-R):  Four of Knights' most influential players, Stefan Cordwell, Riley Dillon, captain Tyler Harrison and Joshua Redfearn. [PlessPix]

In Launceston the same evening, Riverside Olympic collected a first league win of the season. They beat Launceston United 4-1 at home at Windsor Park through goals by Austin Marshall, Henry Cook, Aaron Kidmas and Gediminas Krusa, the latter with a penalty.

On Saturday, Devonport City were held to a 1-1 draw at Valley Road by South Hobart.

Brody Denehey put Devonport in front in the 62^nd minute but South Hobart’s Japanese defender Musashi Kokubo equalised ten minutes later.

Launceston City downed Clarence Zebras 2-1 at Prospect through two goals by Thierry Swaby.

Ryan Cook was Clarence Zebras’ marksman.

It’s quite clear now that one of the current top-four sides will win this year’s title and the other four teams will be trying to avoid the wooden spoon.

Launceston City will be aiming to make the top-four, but the three teams below them have little chance of such an achievement.

Photo:  Thomas Walpole was back in the Knights' side after missing the previous game through illness.  He is having a great season.  He continually made space on the right but Knights failed to make the most of the youngster's positioning and speed. [PlessPix]

NPL Tasmania

Glenorchy Knights 2 (Riley Dillon 47, Joshia Redfearn 63) drew with Kingborough Lions United 2 (Kobe Kemp 42 pen, Noah Mies 61)

Riverside Olympic 4 (Austin Marshall 30, Henry Cook 43, Aaron Kidmas 51, Gediminas Krusa 72 pen) beat Launceston United 1 (Malik Smith 6)

Devonport Strikers 1 (Brody Denehey 62) drew with South Hobart 1 (Musashi Kokubo 72)

Launceston City 2 (Thierry Swaby 16, 40) beat Clarence Zebras 1 Ryan Cook 20)

NPL Tasmania Standings (As at 20 April 2024)

TEAM	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Glenorchy Knights	5	3	2	0	24	4	11
Devonport City	5	3	2	0	15	6	11
South Hobart	5	3	2	0	11	5	11
Kingborough Lions	5	3	1	1	19	9	10
Launceston City	5	2	1	2	6	7	7
Clarence Zebras	5	1	0	4	10	15	3
Riverside Olympic	5	1	0	4	7	25	3
Launceston United	5	0	0	5	7	28	0