Devonport slip-up may cost them dearly later on in NPL title race

Photo:  Devonport's Riku Ichimura (No.14) places his spot-kick wide of the left-hand post. [PlessPix] 

There seem to be five teams in contention for the 2024 NPL Tasmania title.

Fifth-placed Launceston City are just outside the top-four and seem the most unlikely to take the trophy.

They thrashed bottom-side Launceston United 6-0 on Saturday, but which team wouldn’t do that?

Glenorchy Knights head the standings on goal-difference from South Hobart.

They led Clarence Zebras 2-0 away at half-time on Saturday with excellent goals from Stefan Cordwell and Matthew Brkic.

Photo:  Knights' Thomas Walpole pursued by Clarence Zebras' Jayden Hey and Kane Hatcher. [PlessPix] 

But, they were lacklustre in the second half and conceded a late goal from former player Kyle Vincent but managed to hang on for the 3 points.

They will show whether they have what it takes when they travel to Valley Road next Saturday to take on reigning champions Devonport City.

Devonport are not what they used to be and were held to a goalless draw away to Kingborough Lions United last Saturday.

The North-West outfit will be kicking themselves after missing a penalty taken by one of their Japanese imports, Riku Ichimura.

Faced by his countryman, Lions goalkeeper Masatoshi Kawano, Ichimura fired wide and past the left-hand post.

It could prove a costly miss come the business end of the season.

Devonport had the better of play in a hard, physical encounter which produced five yellow cards (three to the Lions), but Kawano was in outstanding form for the home side.

Photo: Knights' Joshua Redfearn about to release team-mate Thomas Walpole down the wing.  Walpole is a true winger and makes space beautifully wide on the flanks. [PlessPix] 

He denied Devonport on several occasions, while the defenders in front of him threw their bodies on the line numerous times to block goal-bound shots.

Devonport seemed to be missing a spearhead in attack and nibbled around the edges rather than penetrated through the middle.

Kingborough will be disappointed that they created few chances and they need to be much more consistent.

South Hobart trailed Riverside Olympic at half-time at South Hobart Oval but then struck five times in the second half to win comfortable.

Nick Morton hit a hat-trick, while youngsters Harrison Oates and Josh Schofield were also on target.

Photo:  South Hobart's Josh Schofield (left) takes on a Riverside Olympic defender.  Schofield has successfully recovered from a broken leg suffered against University last season. [PlessPix] 

 NPL Tasmania

South Hobart 5 (Harry Oates 48, Nick Morton 50, 64, 79, Josh Schofield 59) beat Riverside Olympic 1 (James Trevis 45+3)

Clarence Zebras 1 (Kyle Vincent 83) lost to Glenorchy Knights 2 (Stefan Cordwell 33, Matthew Brkic 38)

Launceston United 0 lost to Launceston City 6 (Diesel Murfet 4, 57, Thierry Swaby 13, 66, Will Humphrey 17, Mane Yawngtun)

Kingborough Lions United 0-0 Devonport City

Photo:  A midfield scrap between Clarence Zebras' Joshua Mathie (left) and Knights' Stefan Cordwell. [PlessPix] 

 NPL Tasmania Standings (As at 4 May 2024)

TEAM	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Glenorchy Knights	6	4	2	0	26	5	14
South Hobart	6	4	2	0	16	6	14
Devonport City	6	3	3	0	15	6	12
Kingborough Lions	6	3	2	1	19	9	11
Launceston City	6	3	1	2	12	7	10
Clarence Zebras	6	1	0	5	11	17	3
Riverside Olympic	6	1	0	5	8	30	3
Launceston United	6	0	0	6	7	34	0

Photo:  Riverside keeper Daniel Nash saves at the feet of South Hobart's Joshua Schofield.  Schofield broke his leg in a similar situation last season but has obviously lost none of his courage since recovering from the horrific injury and resuming his playing career. [PlessPix]