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South Hobart v Devonport City {Sunday, 30 June 2024, South Hobart Oval, 2pm)
This promises to be a mouth-watering top-of-the-table clash and, being on a Sunday, it’s the only NPL game in town and should attract a good crowd.
The last time these sides met was at Valley Road, Devonport’s home, and it finished as a 1-1 draw.
Sunday’s game is at South Hobart’s home ground and this may favour the hosts.
The winner will be top of the table at the end of the day, while a draw will see the status quo maintained, with South Hobart first and Devonport second.
Devonport could have a couple of new faces on view.
They have signed former Clarence Zebras goalkeeper, Mitch Higgins, who came to Tasmania from South Australia, and the former Clarence Zebras striker Xuan Cappellino, an Argentine, who did very well last season with Clarence Zebras.
These additions should strengthen the visitors. A win will certainly go a long way towards the North-West Coast outfit retaining their NPL title.
South Hobart were saved last week against Glenorchy Knights by their goalkeeper, Nick O’Connell. After racing to a 3-0 lead, they were somewhat fortunate to hang on and win 3-2.
Devonport are likely to offer more of a threat than Knights did and South Hobart will have their work cut out.
South Hobart defender Raphael Reynolds will be up against his former club and he will know what to expect.
Devonport have numerous goal-scorers. The quiet achiever in this regard is Nick Lanau-Atkinson, whose magic left-foot can wreak havoc. Brody Denehey, Masi Benjamin, Riku Ichimura and Xuan Cappellino are certain to give the home side’s defence a good work-out.
Captain Nick Morton poses a hude threat to Devonport, providing he can keep his shots low and on target.
Winger Harrison Oates has been in scintillating form and the youngster will test the credentials of the Devonport experienced but possible slower defenders.
Clarence Zebras v Launceston City (Saturday, 29 June 2024, Wentworth Park, 2.30pm)
This used to be known as the ‘Italian derby’, but it doesn’t quite live up to that billing now since Hobart Zebras’ merger with Clarence United. Launceston City still have ‘Juventus’ emblazoned on their shirts so they are certainly keeping their side of the tag.
City won 2-1 the last time the sides’ met, which was at Prospect, so we’ll see if Clarence Zebras can make life difficult for the visitors at Wentworth Park in front of their vocal supporters.
Clarence Zebras may have two new faces in goalkeeper Jake Hayers and striker Shin Kwan Hoon, both from South Hobart.
This may well strengthen them, but the wily Joel Stone will be directing City’s play and should inspire his team-mates to lift their play.
Kingborough Lions United v Glenorchy Knights (Saturday, 29 June 2024, Lightwood Park, 6.30pm)
This is a do-or-die confrontation and promises to be every bit as close as the recent Lakoseljac Cup Final, which Knights won 3-2 in extra-time.
This is a league match with no extra-time and a draw could well be on the cards.
In the only league meeting between the sides to date, they drew 2-2.
That won’t be good enough for either side.
Kingborough and Knights both have to win to keep alive their already faint hopes of the title.
A loss for either side will effectively spell curtains to that dream of glory.
A game at 6.30pm in winter will see only the most committed supporters in attendance.
Launceston United v Riverside Olympic (Saturday, 29 June 2024, Birch Avenue, 2.15pm)
Riverside Olympic beat Launceston United 4-1 in the league and should win again away from home on Saturday.
United are 6 points adrift of second-last Riverside and hold the edge in terms of quality players and experience.
United’s Aiden Rigby and Luke Warrener also have experience and will prove a stumbling block for the visitors.
But, with Emanuel Farias scoring the goals and Gediminas Krusa pulling the strings in midfield, Riverside should snare the 3 points at the end of the day.
And, in winter, this is an eminently suitable time for the kick-off.
NPL Tasmania Standings (As at 22 June 2024)
|
TEAM |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
Pts |
|
South Hobart |
11 |
8 |
3 |
0 |
31 |
12 |
27 |
|
Devonport City |
11 |
7 |
4 |
0 |
32 |
9 |
25 |
|
Glenorchy Knights |
11 |
6 |
4 |
1 |
41 |
11 |
22 |
|
Kingborough Lions |
11 |
6 |
3 |
2 |
37 |
20 |
21 |
|
Launceston City |
11 |
4 |
2 |
5 |
17 |
17 |
14 |
|
Clarence Zebras |
11 |
3 |
0 |
8 |
19 |
28 |
9 |
|
Riverside Olympic |
11 |
2 |
0 |
9 |
14 |
45 |
6 |
|
Launceston United |
11 |
0 |
0 |
11 |
9 |
58 |
0 |
11 comments:
Hayers in for Higgins weakens the Zebras.
He’s been a number 2 for the last few years at South for a reason, it’s just Zebs feeding off of other clubs scraps once again.
Higgins is no better than calamattta but he's louder so He gets a gig that's a big call to make
He’s been number 2 because O’Connell has been the best keeper in the state, good keepers learn off others and do their trade properly. Hayers will be an improvement on Higgins who seemed to have an ego & think he was better than he was. Dport haven’t improved by signing him.
Haha . Knights have been doing this for years.
Jake has been playing well for south in the champ league. We will see if he can continue this form stepping up a level.
So it’s a forgone conclusion Devonport will win then and South were lucky last weekend……ummmm.
South were lucky to win last weekend knights did more in 30 minutes then they did in 1 hour take the 3 points mate and don't look back
Don't have any stats on hand but my feeling is that South have a better record against Port at Valley Road than they do at Darcy St over last half dozen years.
South are a big chance tomorrow
It's who's in front after 90...if Glenorchy are missing for first 60 it's on them.
Bang on I’d say. Port don’t seem to be fussed about going to Darcy street, and south take a lot of points at valley Road
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