Devonport City clinched the 2020 NPL Tasmania title just over a week ago when they beat bottom-side Launceston City 1-0 at home at Valley Road so there was nothing riding on last Saturday’s final league game against second-placed Glenorchy Knights.
The champions didn’t hold back, though, and produced a master class to destroy the Knights 4-1 and finish 9 points clear at the top of the standings.
After a goalless opening half in which Devonport could have scored two or three goals but for fine goalkeeping by Lachlan Hart, the woodwork and poor finishing, Devonport took the lead just 3 minutes after the resumption. Knights skipper Tyler Harrison brought down Eddie Bidwell and Raphael Reynolds scored with the penalty.
Midway through the second half, Brody Denehey made it 2-0 when he ran onto a poor attempted clearance by Oscar Thomas and had a free run at goal. Hart saved his first shot, but he followed up and netted from the rebound.
In the 74th minute, Joel Stone outwitted four opponents on the left and fired home low and inside the far right-hand post to give his side a 3-0 lead.
Eddie Bidwell added the fourth 8 minutes from the end when he waltzed past four opponents before shooting. Hart again blocked the shot, but Bidwell was first to rebound and scored.
Knights netted a consolation goal 3 minutes into stoppage time. Devonport goalkeeper Nathan Pitchford could only parry Nick Naden’s shot and substitute Alex Walter hit home the rebound.
It was an unbeaten league campaign for Devonport and their third consecutive league title and fourth in five seasons.
South Hobart, who had lost as many as nine players from last year, finished third. They completed their league programme with a disappointing 1-1 draw at home to second-last Riverside Olympic.
Youngster Fletcher Fulton put the visitors ahead in the 14th minute, but Nick Morton hit South Hobart’s equaliser in the 25th minute.
Kingborough Lions United earned fourth spot with a last-minute 3-2 triumph over Olympia Warriors at home at Lightwood Park.
Callum Brown put them ahead in the 22nd minute, but a penalty by Danny Cowen in the 27th minute restored parity.
Chris Downes put the Lions ahead with a free-kick in the 38th minute and it seemed as if the sides would have to settle for a share of the points when Anthony Mamic made it 2-2 in the 89th minute.
The Lions weren’t lying down, however, and Adam McKeown headed the winner in the second minute of stoppage time.
Clarence Zebras left it late to beat Launceston City at home at Wentworth Park.
Riley Dillon, who is essentially a full-back, played at centre-forward and scored two excellent goals within a minute of each other in the closing stages of the match to dash City’s hopes of winning a league game this season.
The win ensured Clarence Zebras of finishing sixth, while City has already collected the wooden spoon last weekend.
NPL Tasmania results:
Glenorchy Knights 1 (A Walter 90+3) lost to Devonport City 4 (R Reynolds 48 pen, B Denehey 64, J Stone 74, E Bidwell 82)
Clarence Zebras 2 (R Dillon 88, 89) beat Launceston City 0
South Hobart (N Morton 25) drew with Riverside Olympic 1 (F Fulton 14)
Kingborough Lions United 3 (D Cowen 27 pen, C Downes 38, A McKeown 90+2) beat Olympia Warriors 2 (C Brown 22, A Mamic 89)
NPL Tasmania, Final Standings (24 October 2020)
|
TEAM |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
Pts |
|
Devonport City |
14 |
13 |
1 |
0 |
28 |
9 |
40 |
|
Glenorchy Knights |
14 |
10 |
1 |
3 |
37 |
13 |
31 |
|
South Hobart |
14 |
7 |
2 |
5 |
30 |
24 |
23 |
|
Kingborough Lions |
14 |
6 |
3 |
5 |
26 |
34 |
21 |
|
Olympia Warriors |
14 |
6 |
1 |
7 |
32 |
27 |
19 |
|
Clarence Zebras |
14 |
4 |
2 |
8 |
20 |
32 |
14 |
|
Riverside Olympic |
14 |
2 |
3 |
9 |
17 |
32 |
9 |
|
Launceston City |
14 |
1 |
1 |
12 |
13 |
32 |
4 |
