Launceston City stayed top of the NPL Tasmania standings despite being held to a 2-2 draw away at South Hobart Oval by second-placed South Hobart.
City stay top courtesy of their better goal-difference.
This City side is the best I have seen in years. They were skilful, determined, quick and combative.
And their goalkeeper, Lachlan Clark, was in outstanding form, preventing a few almost certain goals.
Luck played a part in this game, too.
South Hobart had one effort denied by the off-side flag, and they also struck the woodwork, the ball carrying on into play beyond the far post.
South Hobart again failed to convert their chances and this must be a worry for coach Max Clark.
They did more than enough to win, but poor finishing and some resolute defending by the visitors resulted in a draw.
I’d say it was 2 points lost for South and a point earned by City.
An own-goal by Mana Yawngtun gave South Hobart the lead after just 7 minutes, but Angus Taylor had the visitors level just 4 minutes later,
Kobe Kemp, who was making his return after a lengthy injury for South Hobart, restored their lead 5 minutes after the resumption, but the excellent left-footed City defender, William Humphrey, scored in the 76th minute to make it 2-2 and that’s how it stayed in this top-of-the-table clash.
Glenorchy Knights earned a meritorious 2-0 away-win over Devonport City at Valley Road, which was sweet revenge for their 5-4 loss to Devonport at KGV Park the previous weekend in the Lakoseljac Cup competition.
Early goals by Bary Karia and Cammron Morris, the latter from a penalty, decided the match before half-time.
Devonport were well-served by the hard-working midfielder Charles Bidwell, but the home side lacked penetration and were often on the back foot.
It’s far too early to say, of course, but will this season herald the decline of Devonport, the powerhouse of Tasmanian football for so many recent seasons? The answer to that question is still blowin’ in the wind.
Knights, the reigning champions are third, but Devonport occupy sixth place, which is a sight not seen for many a year.
Fourth-ranked Kingborough Lions United - they seem to make fourth place their own every season - swept aside Riverside Olympic 3-0 at home at Lightwood Park.
Former Riverside player Emanuel Ponce Farias was a constant danger for the Lions and he made one goal and scored a penalty to rub salt into Riverside’s wounds.
Noah Mies scored twice for the Lions, one coming with a well-placed header from Farias’s pinpoint right-wing cross.
There can be absolutely no doubt that Clarence Zebras are in a state of crisis.
They occupy last place and lost to last season’s easy-beats, Launceston United, 2-1 at home at Wentworth Park.
A goal by the powerful and aggressive David Owusu in the 19th minute gave the visitors the lead, but Clarence Zebras’ American import, Aidan Cann, equalised just before the interval, which appeared to give the home-side some hope.
That hope was dashed on the stroke of half-time when an own-goal by Clarence Zebras’ Harkirat Singh, gifted Launceston United the win.
Launceston United already have four points, which is more that they accumulated all of last season.
In contrast, Clarence Zebras, who finished second-last in 2024, have a mountain to climb if they are to avoid the wooden spoon.
They have already changed coaches early in the season. What to do next is the $64,000 question on the lips of the Clarence Zebras players, fans and committee.
Round 3 NPL Tasmania Results
Devonport City 0 lost to Glenorchy Knights 2 (Bary Karia 15’, Cammron Morris 19’ pen) beat Devonport City 0
Clarence Zebras 1 (Aidan Cann 39’) lost to Launceston United 2 (David Owusu 19’, Harkirat Singh 25’ og)
Kingborough Lions United 3 (Noah Mies 22’, 49’, Emanuel Ponce Farias 62’ pen) beat Riverside Olympic 0
South Hobart 2 (Mana Yawngtun 7’ og, Kobe Kemp 50’) drew with Launceston City 2 (Angus Taylor 11’, William Humphrey 76’)
NPL Tasmania Standings (As at 6 April 2025)
|
TEAM |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
Pts |
|
Launceston City |
3 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
10 |
2 |
7 |
|
South Hobart |
3 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
10 |
6 |
7 |
|
Glenorchy Knights |
3 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
8 |
5 |
6 |
|
Kingborough Lions |
3 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
6 |
4 |
6 |
|
Launceston United |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
8 |
4 |
|
Devonport City |
3 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
|
Riverside Olympic |
3 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
8 |
1 |
|
Clarence Zebras |
3 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
2 |
9 |
0 |
24 comments:
Great article Walter
It’s great to see the top six being competitive and an improvement from Utd and signs from riverside
I agree that Clarence have the worst squad in at least zebra history I think the last stand along Clarence squad would go close
Their starting 11 is simply a middle table champ team
Compare each position with current champ teams eagles or sth east and I honest can’t see any of the zebras guys starting - maybe young simian but the rest nope - and that comparing against npl vs champ
Sad times but also only themselves to blame again by committee and recruiting - we can see what they wanted to merge now
What brought on the “$64,000” comment, Walter?
It obviously proves that merging with Clarence was the worst decision the questionable Zebras board could have ever made. The problem is they will never admit that they were wrong. They would be better to withdraw from NPL and join the Champ league under the name of Zebras than try and keep the Clarence name . This has contributed to their undoing but they were not smart enough prior to the merge to recognise this.
Great to have you back with your knowledgeable reporting Walter. You have been missed.
The phrase "the $64,000 question" (or sometimes "the $64 question") is used to refer to a crucial or difficult question, often implying that the answer is of great importance, and it originated from the 1950s American game show "The $64,000 Question".
Port will climb up the ladder. United Riverside and Zebras are rubbish.
Walter it is clear, Zebras got a canteen out of the merger and Clarence got a bad marriage. They are the biggest loser they're losing money and the team is worse!!!
Only because they can't get much lower hahahahs
But, what a good Caffè latte it is!
Appreciate you clarifying. I initially thought that you had inside knowledge into a potential ‘$64,000’ incoming coach.
What were the coaching changes at the Zebs?
But your name to your comment and don’t hide like a coward !
Then your opinion we’ll be valid .
Mark Astley departed after just over a year on the job. Chris Hey joined the coaching staff and is now the NPL coach.
Peter, no need to. It does not make any difference to the facts.
Not exactly like Peter is great proof of identity is it. What an idiot.
From Alex
Not very bright are you. Having the Clarence attached or not won't change a single thing. United supporters lost their club as did Juve supporters.
What we have now is neither. It's the Tassie version of Rangers.....sorry Sevco. Identies are gone and a new club is in play. I think its hilarious that people still throw around their prejudice when those clubs no longer exist, makes you look like fools.
Yeah my name is Peter ,great alias ,Clarence is stuffed no more than the club and administration over there deserve
Agree Alex
I find it funny Hey is back ,but have heard his president last time around complain about him.
Think you have it right Walter they would be lucky to be midtable in Champs.
Ps it is Peter
On another note when are we going to get serious about getting npl teams out of championship moving champ 1 teams into division 1or 2 and getting champ teams to have an u21 team as reserves : makes it possible for easy promotion relegation allow barny and metro to come into champ but allow concessions re 21s for those clubs that need it
Stop Sth forcing a monopoly
Am I that far wrong ?
I strongly believe we should have a North/South ‘NPL’ format for the men that eventuates to a North vs South NPL State Title match.
Northern NPL:
- Devonport
- Launceston City
- Riverside
- Launceston United
- Northern Rangers
- Somerset
- Ulverstone
- Burnie
Southern NPL
- South Hobart
- Glenorchy Knights
- Kingborough Lions
- New Town White Eagles
- South East United
- Taroona
- Olympia Warriors
- Hobart City
Southern ChampionshipSocial League 1:
- Hobart United
- University
- Barnstoneworth
- Metro
- Phoenix
- New Norfolk
- Southern FC
The women’s, U21 and underpinning youth leagues would obviously also need some alignment, but I believe the above is a lot more sustainable that the current ‘statewide’ NPL.
Are you saying Clarence Zebras fold?
@ April 9, 2025 at 9:41 PM.
we should have a North/South ‘NPL’ format for the men that eventuates to a North vs South NPL State Title match.
Southern NPL
- South Hobart
- Glenorchy Knights
- Kingborough Lions
- New Town White Eagles
- South East United
- Taroona
- Olympia Warriors
- Hobart City
Anyone see young Ilan Mastrocola Simons goal over in the New Zealand National league? Looks like he’s doing well, surprised there hasn’t been any mention of him what I’ve seen. Formally at Kingborough lions and South Hobart I believe
Apologies, assuming they can remain intact, they should be in the southern NPL in place of hobart City.
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