Friday night results - 28 June 2024

Photo:  Clarence Zebras' James Reynolds (left) keeps a tight rein on Eagles' George Ivanov. [PlessPix] 

Men’s Southern Championship

Clarence Zebras 2-4 New Town White Eagles

Olympia Warriors 2 ((Hugo Schwarz 35’, Tyson Barrett 90+2’) beat University 1 (Daniel Goodluck 18’)

Photo:  Olympia's Ryan Amani controls a difficult ball as University's Aaron Marney hovers nearby. [PlessPix] 

 Men’s Southern Championship 1

Clarence Zebras 1-5 New Town White Eagles

Olympia Warriors 3-4 University

Photo:  Eagles' Adam McKeown (No.14) takes a tumble.  It didn't stop him from scoring a hat-trick. [PlessPix]

Photo:  Olympia's Hugo Schwarz clears ahead of University's Daniel Goodluck. Both players scored in tonight's game. [PlessPix]

Photo:  The game between Barnstoneworth United and Nelson at Wentwork Park tonight was played in semi-darkness, which must have made refereeing difficult for Mr David Green.  Barnstoneworth won 5-1. [PlessPix]
 

 

The top four NPL sides face crucial fixtures this weekend

Photo:  In late news tonight, Jake Hayers told me he played in Clarence Zebras' Championship team this evening on his debut for the club because he will be unavailable on Saturday and for about another three weeks. [PlessPix] 

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