Clarence Zebras are lurching from one disaster to another and remain isolated at the foot of the NPL standings after Round 5 of the NPL Tasmania competition.
In a top versus bottom clash at Wentworth Park today, the home team went down 8-0 against leaders South Hobart.
Clarence Zebras’ American import started on the bench, which says something.
South Hobart scored four goals in each half, while Clarence Zebras’ best chance came just before the break when Sam Roze forced an excellent save from South keeper Nick O’Connell.
Apart from that brief moment, South Hobart dominated possession and Clarence Zebras were forced to clear the ball anywhere as they were constantly under pressure.
Two goals by Auston Yost within the opening quarter of an hour put the visitors on the path to an easy win.
Kobe Kemp netted a hat-trick and defender Jacob Lancaster grabbed a fine brace.
Central defender Musashi Kokubo found the net near the end to complete the humiliation.
I have no idea what Clarence Zebras can do to halt the decline of a once famous Tasmanian club, but at the moment they are in deep trouble and on a downward spiral.
Second-placed Glenorchy Knights beat Riverside Olympic 4-2 away at Windsor Park on Saturday.
Gediminas Krusa gave Olympic a shock lead after 15 minutes but Riley Dillon equalised six minutes later.
Nick Naden and Euigeon Park netted to give the Knights a commanding 3-1 lead at the interval.
An own goal by Will Prince midway through the second half made it 4-1 before Jack Glover’s own goal for the Knights saw the game finish 4-2 in favour of the visitors.
It must be a bit unsatisfying for the reigning champions as they benefited from one own-goal and then conceded and own-goal themselves at the end.
Devonport City appear to have righted their ship when they thrashed Launceston United 8-1 away at Birch Avenue on Saturday to move into fourth place.
Yuta Nomura gave the North-West Coast outfit the lead after just 18 minutes.
Declan Zasadny hit a brace and Colin Innes weighed in with four goals, while Charles Bidwell grabbed one.
Sungung Choi scored United’s consolation goal near the end.
Launceston City continued their promising early-season form with a 3-1 victory at home against the disappointing Kingborough Lions United, who slipped to fifth place.
Jack Woodland, Angus Tayloer and Alec Harris did the damage for City, while former City player Noah Mies replied for the Lions.
NPL Tasmania
Clarence Zebras 0 lost to South Hobart 8 (Austin Yost 8’, 15’, Kobe Kemp 38’, 44’, 48’, Jacob Lancaster 52’, 60’, Musashi Kokubo 77’)
NPL Tasmania Standings (As at 27 April 2025)
TEAM |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
Pts |
South Hobart |
5 |
4 |
1 |
0 |
28 |
6 |
13 |
Glenorchy Knights |
5 |
4 |
0 |
1 |
19 |
7 |
12 |
Launceston City |
5 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
13 |
4 |
10 |
Devonport City |
5 |
3 |
0 |
2 |
12 |
4 |
9 |
Kingborough Lions |
5 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
7 |
14 |
6 |
Riverside Olympic |
5 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
6 |
12 |
4 |
Launceston United |
5 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
5 |
26 |
4 |
Clarence Zebras |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
2 |
19 |
0 |