Devonport Strikers vs Olympia Warriors
Date: Saturday April 24
Venue: Valley Road
Kick-off: 12:00 PM
2021 record: Devonport Strikers: 1-0-1 (sixth in WSL) Olympia Warriors: 2-0-1 (second in WSL)
Top scorers: Devonport Strikers: Jazmin White (2) Olympia Warriors: Mia Cane (4)
Preview:
The Olympia Warriors got back to their winning ways last weekend, and they will look to continue that form as they travel to face the Strikers in round five. A loss to the Zebras in round three may have cast some doubt over the Warriors, but they bounced back in fine fashion with a 2-0 win over Launceston United at UTAS Stadium. Suddenly back sitting level on points with the Zebras in first place on the table, they will have the chance in the coming weeks to stamp their authority on the league and move clear once again. The biggest question mark hangs over their goalkeeping ranks but Meghan Goscombe filled in admirably last game and new signing Kacee Ponting may be cleared in time for this game. The Strikers haven't played since March 27, and with just two games under their belt this season it's still hard to gauge where they sit in the pecking order. The fact that their lone win to date came against the ladder-leading Zebras is enough evidence to suggest that they will challenge the Warriors here, especially on their home turf at Valley Road. Olympia have been far from their high-scoring best when attacking this year, and with multi-time golden boot winner Jazmin White in the lineup the Strikers have as good a chance as any of exploiting that with goals of their own.Key player: Innocent Michael, Olympia Warriors
With White's presence looming, Michael will need to be at her influential best in marshalling the Olympia backline. She has been superb so far this season, dropping back from the midfield to assist in defending and distributing well to get the ball moving forward. If she can maintain that form it will go a long way towards her side taking all three points.Taroona FC vs Launceston United
Date: Saturday April 24
Venue: Kelvedon Park
Kick-off: 2:15 PM
2021 record: Taroona FC: 0-0-3 (seventh in WSL) Launceston United: 2-0-2 (third in WSL)
Top scorers: Taroona FC: Hannah Price (1) Launceston United: Danielle Gunton (5)
Preview:
Two consecutive losses has seen Launceston United slip from atop the standings, but they will look to rectify that in round five against a struggling Taroona side. Launceston were certainly competitive against the Warriors at UTAS Stadium, with one goal from a set piece and another from a long-range thunderbolt the only difference on the scoreboard. With leading scorer Danielle Gunton well blanketed, though, they seemed to lack a secondary outlet to score a goal of their own. In theory, they should have less trouble breaking through a Taroona defence that has conceded 15 goals in their last two games. Taroona battled bravely against the Warriors in their opening game and earned plenty of respect, but they have had a much tougher time in the two rounds since. A 3-0 Statewide Cup win over Ulverstone, a side that was in the Super League last season, showed their potential, and they will be hoping to replicate that performance in the coming weeks.Key player: Isolina Ottavi, Taroona FC
The Taroona goalkeeper has been an admirable performer in a tough situation this season and she was rewarded with selection in the Tasmanian representative side to play Calder United. She will have her hands full again here, and any chance that Taroona has of stealing a result relies on another solid outing between the posts.Clarence Zebras vs Kingborough Lions
Date: Sunday April 25
Venue: Wentworth Park
Kick-off: 2:15
2021 record: Clarence Zebras: 3-0-1 (first in WSL) Kingborough Lions: 1-0-1 (fifth in WSL)
Top scorers: Clarence Zebras: Sophie Fone (3) Kingborough Lions: Laura Davis/Bronte Gadon (3)
Preview:
Clarence are flying high after three consecutive wins and they will face a Kingborough side that has had a shaky and sporadic start to the Super League season. For the ladder-leading Zebras, back-to-back wins over Olympia and South Hobart would have them bursting with confidence. Most impressive has been their balanced contributions-- Sophie Fone leads their scorers with three goals but behind here are four players with two apiece. With several key players departing over the offseason it has been impressive to see them stay at the forefront of the title race thanks to their depth. That depth will certainly be tested against a Lions side that has shown flashes of immense potential during the Summer Cup and early rounds, but that has struggled to produce results consistently. Their last game was certainly a step in the right direction, an 8-1 thumping of Taroona that could kickstart their season after playing just two games to date. After winning their way to the Summer Cup final in the pre-season, they would certainly be hoping for such wins to be more frequent.Key player: Laura Davis, Kingborough Lions
Davis was well held during the Summer Cup final and their opening loss to South Hobart, but a hat trick against Taroona was a barely-needed reminder of her goal scoring ability. Against a Zebras defence that has already had its ups and downs this season, she could break the game open in a flash.