Photos: Solstice Digital
Previews: Dan Thurley
Devonport Strikers vs Launceston United
Date: Saturday August 28
Venue: Valley Road
Kick-off: 12:00 PM
2021 Record: Devonport Strikers: 7-2-6 (fourth in WSL) Launceston United: 7-0-9 (fifth in WSL)
Top Scorers: Devonport Strikers: Jazmin White (16) Launceston United: Danielle Gunton (9)
Preview:
The title is wrapped up and there is nothing but pride on the line at this late stage of the season, but the Devonport Strikers and Launceston United are involved in an intriguing battle for second place, and both sides will be eager to earn a win this weekend.
As it stands, the Devonport Strikers are the most likely to round out the top two. They have played less games than the other competing teams, and currently have two games in hand on the second placed Olympia Warriors. However, they will need to perform better than they did last week against South Hobart to make that happen. Going 1-0 down was not a part of the gameplan, and although Jazmin White got her side on level terms early in the second half, it was far from the dominant attacking display that the Strikers are capable of. Danielle Mitchell had another impressive performance, and with six goals so far, she may be the one that has to step up in helping White shoulder some of the attacking responsibility.
Launceston United’s maiden WSL season started with a 5-1 demolition of the Clarence Zebras followed by a Statewide Cup final appearance, and could potentially end with a second-place league finish. They pushed the league champions to a narrow 2-1 loss last week with a late Jessica Robinson penalty giving them hope, but it was the fifth game running that they failed to score more than one goal. By any standards, United have been a very impressive addition to the competition, but with one win a piece from their two league meetings, this weekend’s clash with the Devonport Strikers is sure to test their strength.
Key Player: Danielle Mitchell, Devonport Strikers
Danielle Mitchell has been an impressive member of the Strikers’ midfield this year, and has six goals to prove it but she has gone four weeks without finding the net. A lot of goalscoring pressure falls onto Jazmin White, but Launceston United are a strong defensive unit and will no doubt have a plan to nullify her attacking threat. Mitchell will be important in giving the Strikers an avenue to goal if that happens.
South Hobart vs Kingborough Lions
Date: Sunday August 29
Venue: Darcy Street
Kick-off: 2:15 PM
2021 Record: South Hobart: 3-3-10 (sixth in WSL) Kingborough Lions: 6-5-5 (third in WSL)
Top Scorers: South Hobart: Pishon Choi (6) Kingborough Lions: Laura Davis (19)
Preview:
South Hobart and Kingborough Lions still have a lot to play for in the remaining fixtures, but one of the two will see their task made all the more difficult with dropped points this week.
South Hobart’s top four hopes are gone, but Taroona are creeping up behind them on the table and have a game in hand. After some promising performances in previous weeks, they earned a valuable point last round in a draw with the Devonport Strikers which was made more impressive considering captain Eleni Moutsatsos did not feature. Sophie Westwood’s good form continued and she has created a valuable partnership with Pishon Choi that has them both playing well in recent weeks. It will take a good team performance to earn a result against the Kingborough Lions, and the defence will have to be on their game to keep Danielle Kannegiesser and Laura Davis at bay.
The Kingborough Lions had patches of dominance against the Olympia Warriors on Wednesday night, but dropped two important points in the battle for second place. The goals scored by Davis and Kannegiesser showed the ability this Lions team possess when everything falls into place, but they have rarely managed to put that kind of performance together for a full 90 minutes. This is the third game in seven days for the Warriors so fatigue may play a part, but with two games remaining they sit third on the table and have the Devonport Strikers and Launceston United breathing down their neck. Anything less than a win this weekend will put a significant dent in their hopes of a top two finish.
Key Player: Kate Bonertz-Benn, Kingborough Lions
Opposition teams have realised the impact that Danielle Kannegiesser and Laura Davis have in the Lions attack and are taking extra measures to limit their time on the ball. Kate Bonertz-Benn is the third member of the Lions’ creative team, and one that often gets overlooked. After a good performance on Wednesday night, she will be looking to add to her six goals for the season against South Hobart this weekend.
Taroona FC vs Clarence Zebras
Date: Sunday August 29
Venue: Kelvedon Park
Kick-off: 2:15 PM
2021 Record: Taroona FC: 2-3-10 (seventh in WSL) Clarence Zebras: 15-1-1 (first in WSL)
Top Scorers: Taroona FC: Eli Cropp (6) Clarence Zebras: Zoe Nichols (24)
Preview:
The Clarence Zebras were officially presented as the 2021 WSL champions last week following their win over Launceston United, and in their final game of the season they face a trip to Kelvedon Park to meet the bottom placed Taroona FC.
Zoe Nichols looks unstoppable in front of goal in recent weeks, and the Zebras can almost bank on the fact that she will find a way onto the scoresheet at least once a game. With the Zebras on a bye next week, that expectation continues against Taroona this round in their last outing of 2021. There is no doubt that they have set the benchmark high this year, leading the league in goals scored and least goals conceded, while dropping just five points all season. The Zebras have put 16 goals past the Pirates in their two meetings up until this point, and they will not be looking to take the foot off the gas just yet.
Taroona’s hard work over the last few weeks was finally rewarded with their second win of the season, and it came in a 3-1 win over the reigning WSL champions no less. The victory over the Olympia Warriors was thanks to a hat-trick from Eli Cropp who, combined with Emma Carbon, poses the biggest threat to the Clarence Zebras. With another win in one of their final three games, they can potentially jump above South Hobart on the league table if other results go their way, but it may be too much to ask in this weekend’s clash against the league’s most dominant side.
Key Player: Madeline O’Brien, Clarence Zebras
The Zebras will be looking to go out in style, and that will no doubt include a clean sheet. Madeline O’Bryan has been a key member of the Zebras’ defence as well as chipping in with goals at the other end, but she will have to keep an eye on the main Taroona goal threats in Eli Cropp and Emma Carbon.