McDonald’s NPL Tasmania Round 18
South Fell Knights and Reclaim Top Spot
South Hobart produced one of their best performances of the season in the biggest game of the year to date, as they downed Glenorchy Knights 3-1 in their top-of-the-table Friday night clash.
Entering the match 2 points ahead on the table, the Knights were en route to establishing a potentially decisive five-point gap when Joshua Cauteruccio fired a laser into the bottom corner in the 23rd minute.
But from then on, South Hobart took control of the contest and got back on terms just before the break via Austin Yost. Alex Walter then struck almost immediately following the restart to hand South the advantage and they never looked like relinquishing the lead as they shut down the previously red-hot Knights' attack.
Walter bagged his second of the match in stoppage time to ice the contest and ensure South would remain in control of their own fate in the title race, which remains on a knife's edge, with just 3 points between the top 3 sides heading into the final 3 weeks of the season.
Final Score
Glenorchy Knights 1 (J.Cauteruccio 23’)
South Hobart 3 (A.Yost 42’, A.Walter 47’ 92’)
Match Highlights
Post Match Interviews
Strikers Account For Roos to Keep Hopes Alive
The Devonport Strikers won their fourth match in a row to move within 3 points of top spot and keep their title defence alive.
Skipper Kieran Mulraney continued his goal-scoring form by scoring a brace, after Brody Denehey had opened the scoring in the 3-0 victory over Riverside.
It leaves Devonport 3 points behind South Hobart and 2 behind Knights, but crucially they play both of those sides in the final 3 weeks, with South Hobart at D'arcy Street looming next week.
If Devonport were to win their remaining three games, they would get to 47 points, and in the process put a ceiling on South of 47 points and Knights 46; this means they would likely win the title, unless South Hobart was to make up 10 goals of goal differential in their other 2 fixtures.
So like South, their fate remains very much in their own hands as we head into the final rounds of the season.
Final Score
Devonport Strikers 3 (B.Denehey 14’ K.Mulraney 40’, 91’)
Riverside Olympic 0
Match Highlights
Drought Broken as United Defeat Zebras
At long last, Launceston United have broken through for their first NPL Tasmania victory, downing Clarence Zebras 3-1 in front of their home crowd at FloorWorld Park.
Eshun opened the scoring in the 19th minute, but the lead lasted just four minutes before Joshua Matthie had restored parity for the Zebras. With the game in the balance 'til late, it was Luke Warrener who bobbed up and put United back ahead with 10 minutes to play, putting his side on the verge of the breakthrough win.
United keeper Noah Curtis has been a shining light for his side this season and fittingly he played a crucial role in this win, making an enormous save in the 90th minute to deny Harrison Cox and preserve the lead.
Eshun then fired into an empty net moments later to secure the victory, as the Zebras sent their keeper up for a corner. The win brought jubilous celebrations from the United players, who had endured a difficult couple of opening seasons in the NPL, but got their reward for perseverance here.
Final Score
Launceston United 3 (K.Eshun 19’ 92’, L.Warrener 79’)
Clarence Zebras 1 (J.Mathie 23’)
Match Highlights
Swaby Strikes Late To Secure Road Victory
Thierry Swaby struck an 89th minute winner as Launceston City scored a 2-1 road victory over the Kingborough Lions at Lightwood Park.
Noah Mies scored against his former side to hand the Lions the lead in the first half, but that was cancelled out by an absolute howitzer of a strike from William Humphrey just minutes later that nearly burst through the back of the net.
The sides traded scoring chances throughout the second half, but neither could take one 'til Swaby stormed in behind the defence in the 89th minute and drilled a shot into the bottom corner of the net to settle the contest and see City close the gap to the Lions in fourth place.
Final Score
Kingborough Lions 1 (N.Mies 37’)
Launceston City 2 (W.Humphrey 41’, T.Swaby 89’)
Match Highlights
League Table
