Launceston City secured a hard-earned point on their return to the Women’s Super League after an eight-year absence.
Some 2751 days since City’s last match in the statewide competition, they twice came from behind to record a 2-2 draw with Kingborough.
In an exhibition of superb goals, Amy Ollington gave the Lions an early lead and Emily Grzinic restored it on the hour, but Hollie Jones and Olivia Smith hit the equalisers on a historic day for Alex Aylott’s side.
Devonport and Glenorchy both launched their campaigns with 5-0 wins.
Strikers saw off Taroona with a couple of goals from the WSL’s 2024 best and fairest Whitney Knight and another from the 2025 equivalent Asuka Doi. Jaz White and Abbie White completed the scoring.
At Windsor Park, Knights’ attackers Jemima Brown and Charlotte Butler both hit braces and Ebony Pitt also fired past Riverside’s American keeper Monica Hernandez whose excellence had been chiefly responsible for keeping the game scoreless for 50 minutes.
South Hobart were also kept out for an hour but then romped to a 4-1 win over Launceston United. Sam Watkins struck twice as Madison Chambers and Francesca Johnstone also scored before Olivia De Moraes came off the bench to claim United’s late consolation.
In NPL Tasmania, all five home sides recorded wins and clean sheets.
Launceston City led the way with a 4-0 victory over Ulverstone, secured by their new signings.
Yoshiya Okawa, who was signed from college football in North Carolina, netted twice with Gershom Dupuy and Charles Reynolds also on target.
Riverside Olympic enjoyed an action-packed 3-0 triumph over 2024 double-winners Glenorchy.
A first-half Matias Rodriguez penalty was added to by captain Will Prince and Bright Owusu in a clash which saw both teams finish with 10 men after Adriano Chegancas and Seongmin Moon collected second yellow cards.
Devonport left it late to clinch a 2-0 win over Launceston United with Courage Layweh and Josh Tollervey both on the scoresheet at Valley Road for the second week running.
Kingborough also won 2-0 v against league newcomers South East United.
Prolific striker Noah Mies again put Lions ahead but Joel Badger provided the game’s undoubted highlight with a stunning late volley.
Champions South Hobart continued the trend on Sunday, defeating Clarence 2-0 at D’Arcy Street.
However, Peter Edwards’ men had to be patient, waiting until the 73rd minute for substitute Rex Maddock to set up former Leyton Orient forward Devine Samuel before the roles were reversed two minutes into stoppage time.