McDonald’s NPL Tasmania Round 15
South Hammer Lions To Get Title Bid Back On Track
South Hobart bounced back from a recent dip in form to get their title bid back on track, as they scored a 4-1 win over the Kingborough Lions at Lightwood Park, dealing a potentially mortal blow to the Lions' own title aspirations in the process.
South Hobart wasted no time in seizing control of the match, racing to a 2-0 lead inside the opening eight minutes of the match courtesy of goals from Bradley Lakoseljac and Harrison Oates. When an unfortunate Eli Luttmer directed a ball into his own net in the dying embers of the first half it was all but game over, despite Kobe Kemp pulling one back shortly after the restart. Substitute Rex Maddox rounded out the scoring in the 81st minute as South snapped what had been a 3-match winless run to keep hot on the tail of the Glenorchy Knights.
Final Score
Kingborough Lions 1 (K.Kemp 52’)
South Hobart 4 (B.Lakoseljac 3’, H.Oates 8’, E.Luttmer OG 47’, R.Maddox 81’)
Match Highlights
Post Match Interviews
Knights Cruise Past United
The battle of top v bottom of the NPL played out precisely as the ladder suggested it would, with Glenorchy Knights scoring a thumping 7-0 victory over Launceston United to maintain their position on top of the table. Joshua Redfearn scored a hat-trick, hitting his first just 24 seconds into the contest for one of the quickest goals in league history and setting the tone for what was to follow. United simply had no answers for the attacking threats at the Knights' disposal and in truth the score could have been heavier if not for Noah Curtis in United's net, who made a series of superb saves to help keep the damage down.
Final Score
Launceston United 0
Glenorchy Knights 7 (J.Redfearn 1’ 53’ 72’, M.Brkic 5’, R.Dillon 49’, S.Cordwell 50’, D.Theodoru 65’)
Match Highlights
Strikers Hit Zebras For Six
The Devonport Strikers snapped a three-game winless skid to score a comfortable 6-0 victory over Clarence Zebras and get their title defence back on track. Former Zebra Xuan Cappellino enjoyed his return to Wentworth Park, scoring a towering brace, whilst fellow import attacker Riku Ichimura played a starring role alongside him in the Strikers' attack. The Zebras had no answers for a Strikers side who sit five points back from the Knights, leaving no margin for error, but without a game against the top four in the next three weeks, they could well be right within striking distance come the final weeks of the season.
Final Score
Clarence Zebras 0
Devonport Strikers 6 (R.Ichimura 24’ 54', X.Cappellino 27’ 32’, M.Benjamin 46’,’ M.Burley 83’)
Match Highlights
Swaby Secures Derby Sweep For City
A classy brace from Thierry Swaby helped secure a come-from-behind derby victory for Launceston City, as they downed Riverside Olympic 2-1 to make it 3/3 against their neighbours in 2024. The Roos were on track to turn the tables on City at half-time, leading 1-0 after Matias Rodriguez's brilliant early goal. But the game turned early in the second half when Gedi Krusa was given his marching orders for a swinging elbow, seeing Riverside reduced to 10 men. Swaby took full advantage scoring twice in 12 minutes in the driving rain to see his side leading heading into the final 15 minutes. A second yellow card to Riley Fellows ensured a nervy finish as City were also reduced to 10 men, but there would be no further scoring as City claimed the three points.
Final Score
Launceston City 2 (T.Swaby 63’ 75’)
Riverside Olympic 1 (M.Rodriguez 22’)
Match Highlights
League Table
