A trio of games on the Saturday will make up Round 14 in the NPL TAS, before the collective eyes of the Tasmanian footballing public turns to KGV on Monday for Cup Final day.
First up Launceston City takes on Glenorchy Knights in a rematch of one of the more entertaining games of the season to date. The previous game was a 2-2 draw up at Buckby Landrover Park, with both goalkeepers in fine fettle. This time they will meet down in the South at KGV, which should provide the Knights with a significant advantage. Also playing into their favour is the recent return of Callum Brown, who has wasted no time reminding everyone of just how dynamic he is. Whilst Declan Brown has been one of the best players in the league this season, lets not forget it was his brother who swept the major awards last season. Put the two together along with Nick Naden, a newly signed Albie Leszczynski and that Knights attack is significantly bolstered from their previous meeting. City were sluggish out of the blocks last week against Riverside, but warmed to the task and clicked into gear in the second half. Given they hadn't played in a month that was to be expected, but if they are that flat on Saturday then this Knights side could hit them hard.
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City will face a more dangerous Knights opponent this time around- Jamie Richardson[/caption]
Kicking off slightly later at 2:30pm up North, Riverside look to get back on track as they host the Kingborough Lions. Having fought out a commendable 3-2 defeat to Devonport in his first game in charge Jez Kenth will surely be looking at this as a winnable game. An early road trip is usually a positive thing for a new coach, it helps develop that relationship with the players further and coming in back in tow with a win would be a big morale boost for the side. They downed the Roos 2-1 in their previous meeting this year, though that was at the Den. No doubt the Lions would have watched the Roos struggle with set pieces and long throws last weekend against City and with Chris Downes in the side, the Lions have a player who can similarly exploit such areas. The Riverside defence will need to improve in this area of the game or it could cost them, as they will look at last week as a big missed opportunity having led 1-0 at the half. With the Lions currently in 7th place, and Riverside sitting in 8th the points on offer in this one for both sides are huge. A win and Kingborough will skip 7 points clear, but a loss and it condenses right back to a point between the pair, with a game in hand for Riverside!
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The Lions won 2-1 at Lightwood Park earlier this year- Solstice Photography[/caption]
In the final game of the Round, the Eastern Shore Derby will take place over at Wentworth Park. Clarence had been showing signs of improvement till they ran into the rampant Knights last weekend, and as such they will be glad to return home to the Dunegeon, where they can make life tougher for opponents. Olympia got back on track with their win over the Zebras on Sunday and it was one of their better performances of the season. Their next four games are against the competitions bottom four sides, so this is their chance to make a move. If they get on a run over this next month they may well make up some ground on Devonport, who have some tougher games ahead as well as the distraction of the Lakoseljac Cup. If Olympia are a realistic title chance then they will take 12 points from these upcoming games and that begins tomorrow against Clarence. Goal difference may yet be vital and whilst theirs is currently lagging behind Devonport and South, this could be a good chance to really bolster it given the rate at which Clarence have leaked goals this season.
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The Warriors have the chance to get on a run- Solstice Photography[/caption]
Round 14
Saturday 8 June
Riverside Olympic v Kingborough Lions, 2:30pm, Windsor Park
Clarence v Olympia Warriors, 4:30pm, Wentworth Park
Glenorchy Knights v Launceston City, 2:15pm, KGV
City will face a more dangerous Knights opponent this time around- Jamie Richardson[/caption]
Kicking off slightly later at 2:30pm up North, Riverside look to get back on track as they host the Kingborough Lions. Having fought out a commendable 3-2 defeat to Devonport in his first game in charge Jez Kenth will surely be looking at this as a winnable game. An early road trip is usually a positive thing for a new coach, it helps develop that relationship with the players further and coming in back in tow with a win would be a big morale boost for the side. They downed the Roos 2-1 in their previous meeting this year, though that was at the Den. No doubt the Lions would have watched the Roos struggle with set pieces and long throws last weekend against City and with Chris Downes in the side, the Lions have a player who can similarly exploit such areas. The Riverside defence will need to improve in this area of the game or it could cost them, as they will look at last week as a big missed opportunity having led 1-0 at the half. With the Lions currently in 7th place, and Riverside sitting in 8th the points on offer in this one for both sides are huge. A win and Kingborough will skip 7 points clear, but a loss and it condenses right back to a point between the pair, with a game in hand for Riverside!
[caption id="attachment_11752" align="alignnone" width="643"] The Lions won 2-1 at Lightwood Park earlier this year- Solstice Photography[/caption]
In the final game of the Round, the Eastern Shore Derby will take place over at Wentworth Park. Clarence had been showing signs of improvement till they ran into the rampant Knights last weekend, and as such they will be glad to return home to the Dunegeon, where they can make life tougher for opponents. Olympia got back on track with their win over the Zebras on Sunday and it was one of their better performances of the season. Their next four games are against the competitions bottom four sides, so this is their chance to make a move. If they get on a run over this next month they may well make up some ground on Devonport, who have some tougher games ahead as well as the distraction of the Lakoseljac Cup. If Olympia are a realistic title chance then they will take 12 points from these upcoming games and that begins tomorrow against Clarence. Goal difference may yet be vital and whilst theirs is currently lagging behind Devonport and South, this could be a good chance to really bolster it given the rate at which Clarence have leaked goals this season.
[caption id="attachment_11753" align="alignnone" width="626"] The Warriors have the chance to get on a run- Solstice Photography[/caption]
Round 14
Saturday 8 June
Riverside Olympic v Kingborough Lions, 2:30pm, Windsor Park
Clarence v Olympia Warriors, 4:30pm, Wentworth Park
Glenorchy Knights v Launceston City, 2:15pm, KGV