Match of the Round: Launceston United v Launceston City
Syson Eyeing Top Four Finish For City
Fifth-placed Launceston City will be looking to close the gap to the competition's top four as they prepare for a Derby against Launceston United this weekend in Round 6’s Match of the Round. If other results were to fall their way, then City could end the Round in fourth place, provided that they take care of business in the upcoming Derby.
With United struggling on the bottom of the table and without a win through the opening five games of the season, it’s a match that City coach Daniel Syson knows his side needs to bank 3 points in if they are to achieve his stated aim.
“My job is to get this club into that top four; I do feel like the league this year is really strong in that top four, so it’s a tough group to get into, but I really fancy the ability and capability of the squad this year," he said.
“Our focus has been internal, the derby always brings something a bit different, but I think it’s a game we should be comfortably winning.
"No disrespect to Launceston United but we are just trying to internally focus on some of our principles that are going to do us well for the season, not just this game.”
City currently sit in fifth place with a 2-1-2 record, but their performances in the Lakoseljac Cup, downing South Hobart and falling narrowly to the Lions suggest a side with the capacity to test the teams above them on the table, having also already earned a point away at Valley Road. According to Syson it demonstrates the narrowing of that gap.
“I think we’re getting much closer to that top four group, especially against Kingborough we showed that, running them close in 2 games," he said.
"Internally we feel like we aren’t too far away from the top clubs, which is good and it shows progress from last year.
"I think we are managing through the games better from a perspective of experience from last year for our younger players, it's been important getting that extra year into them."
Goalscoring has been a slight issue for City, however; whilst having only conceded 7 times, their six goals scored is the fewest in the league as Syson searches for the right combination in attack.
"I think defensively we’ve been a lot better this year, there are areas that we’ve worked on from last year and I think we’re just looking for that balance in the final third," he said.
"We brought in a few new players to replace those who went out from last year and I think our focus at the moment is finding that right combination that works.
“I think initially, straight after the game we were extremely flat, for 70 minutes of the game we controlled it and nullified Kingborough, but then in 2 moments they took their chances.”
Recovering mentally after the disappointment of last week's defeat is something Syson said had been a focus this weekend for the group.
"We tried to focus on those moments that have been letting us down, particularly in the second halves," he said.
"We’ve tried to make it a bit of a funner [sic] week on the track to try to help put the disappointment behind us and move on because football moves pretty quickly."
Syson also teased further reinforcements could well be on the way to help aid in the objective.
“With the June [transfer] window coming up we are probably looking to add a bit more, so I am really hopeful of getting into that top four.”
In other NPL Tasmania action this weekend, the biggest game impacting the title race will be played at Lightwood Park when the Kingborough Lions take on the Devonport Strikers.
The past two rounds have featured top-four clashes that have ended in draws, with an extremely tight battle now developing at the top of the table. As such, anytime any of those top four sides meet it will be a chance to gain some ground on a direct title rival and any slip-ups could see multiple sides capitalising.
Both the Lions and Strikers progressed safely through to the semi-finals of the Lakoseljac Cup with wins last weekend and they could eventually meet again in the decider. The Lions' path was the more difficult, overcoming Launceston City 2-1 whilst the Strikers cruised against lower division Hobart City and won 4-0. The pair played out arguably the game of the season last year when they met here in Round 20, with the Lions winning a thriller 4-3.
At D'arcy Street, South Hobart will be looking to maintain their unbeaten start to the season as they take on Riverside Olympic in a match they will enter as warm favourites. The Roos put together their best effort of the season last week against the Clarence Zebras, scoring a big 5-2 win on the road to reach the final four of the Lakoseljac Cup.
That follows a first win in the league the week prior when they downed Launceston United 4-1, so despite facing a tougher fixture here they should head into the match filled with confidence after their best fortnight of the season.
Finally, at Wentworth Park the ladder leaders Glenorchy Knights will be expected to maintain their grip on top spot as they take on a Clarence Zebras side who will be ruing a missed opportunity last weekend in the Lakoseljac Cup.
With a favourable draw, the Zebras had the chance to make their deepest Cup run since the merger but shipping five goals to Riverside sunk that hope and it leaves them in need of a bounce-back performance against a Knights side who continue to create plenty of scoring chances every week. If they create their usual load of scoring looks here, it will be tough sledding for the Zebras.
Round 6
Saturday 4 May
South Hobart v Riverside Olympic, 2:00pm, Darcy St LIVE STREAM
Clarence Zebras v Glenorchy Knights 2:30pm, Wentworth Park LIVE STREAM
Launceston United v Launceston City, 4:30pm, Birch Ave LIVE STREAM
Kingborough Lions v Devonport Strikers 4:30pm, Lightwood Park LIVE STREAM