Riverside Olympic vs Glenorchy Knights
Date: Saturday August 15
Venue: Windsor Park
Kick-off: 2:15 PM
2020 record: Riverside 1-1-2 (fifth in NPL TAS) Knights: 3-0-1 (third in NPL TAS)
Top scorers: Riverside Olympic: Nil Sanz (3) Glenorchy Knights: Thomas Young (4)
Preview The red-hot Glenorchy Knights will take their first northern road trip of the 2020 season in round five, where they will meet a Riverside Olympic side still smarting from a heavy defeat last week. After a thrilling derby win over Launceston City, Riverside came crashing back to earth with a 5-1 drubbing at the hands of the previously winless Warriors. That continued an up-and-down start to the season for them, but they still sit within touching distance of the top half. While they are fighting to keep away from the foot of the ladder, Glenorchy look capable of challenging the teams at the very top. They’ve won three in a row since their opening round loss to the Lions, with every win coming by at least two goals. Last week’s triumph over the Zebras showcased their attacking firepower as they netted five times, led by a Thomas Young hat-trick. That gives them a league-leading 11 goals in the first four rounds, and while Riverside goalkeeper Jarrod Hill is unquestionably a superstar, he’ll need more support from a backline that has conceded more than any other this season. Key player: Alex Walter, Glenorchy Knights The common thread across Knights three wins? Walter has scored in all of them. While they’ve added a truckload of attacking talent this season, his class and experience have shone through. It’s hard for Olympic to justify extra defensive attention for just one player, but keeping Walter quiet will be key.
Clarence Zebras vs Devonport Strikers
Date: Saturday August 15
Venue: Wentworth Park
Kick-off: 2:30 PM
2020 record: Clarence Zebras: 1-0-3 (seventh in NPLA TAS) Devonport Strikers: 4-0-0 (first in NPL TAS)
Top scorers: Clarence: Jayden Hey, Matt Pace, Lachie Burt, Jake Thompson (1) Devonport: Brody Denehey (2)
Preview This will be a tough task for the league’s newest team, as they face their first meeting with the defending champions. They will do so in the midst of a rotten run of form, having lost all three games since their debut win in round one. Scoring twice against the Knights was a promising sign of progress but they’ll need to find a more consistent avenue to goal if they’re going to compete for wins on a regular basis. Coach Dave Smith said during the week that his side will need to “keep battling until we are good enough”, but it’s hard to imagine that will be enough against a side that looks to be the benchmark once again. Although it took an Eddie Bidwell stunner to give them a 1-0 win over South Hobart last week, the Strikers have been largely untroubled in their title defence so far. They led the shot count 15-6 in that game and dominated in general play, and some improved finishing would see them move from great to near unbeatable on their day. Key player: Miles Barnard, Devonport Strikers It’s been an unusually subdued start to the season for Barnard—after scoring 28 goals last season, including a record-breaking haul of eight in one game, he has netted just once in his side’s first four games. With the Strikers still creating plenty of chances it feels like a matter of time before the floodgates open for the Fox in the Box.
Olympia vs Launceston City
Date: Saturday August 15
Venue: Warrior Park
Kick-off: 4:30 PM
2020 record: Olympia: 1-0-3 (sixth in NPL TAS) Launceston City: 0-0-4 (eighth in NPL TAS)
Top scorers: Olympia: Jack Ryan (3) Launceston City: Samuel Ridgard (3)
Preview If you just looked at the win-loss record for these two sides, this would look like a fairly even contest. After round four’s games, though, it feels like it could be the complete opposite. Olympia finally found their groove in a thumping win over Riverside, whilst Launceston City were never in the contest against Kingborough. With the talent they have on their team sheet the Warriors should be capable of plenty more performances like they had last weekend. It still wasn’t quite perfect, giving away a penalty in another sloppy defensive play, which they will be keen to cut out of their game moving forwards. They’ll certainly need to be on their toes this week, even against a City side that is yet to register a point. Captain Samuel Ridgard has been in good goalscoring form despite his team’s struggles, and he’s more than capable of punishing any slip-ups. Key player: Rob Gerrard, Launceston City Gerrard will return from a two-game suspension to provide some much-needed support in the midfield against the Warriors. City coach Roger Hardwicke compared the Englishman to Frank Lampard during the week, and his work across the whole park will be invaluable as they chase their first win of the campaign.
South Hobart vs Kingborough Lions
Date: Sunday August 16
Venue: Darcy Street
Kick-off: 2:00 PM
2020 record: South Hobart 2-0-2 (fourth in NPL TAS) Kingborough Lions 3-1-0 (second in NPL TAS)
Top scorers: South Hobart: Kasper Hallam (3) Kingborough Lions: Adam McKeown (3)
Preview Kingborough face perhaps their toughest test to date this weekend, as they will take on a youthful South Hobart team in front of their home crowd at Darcy Street. The high-flying Lions were never troubled against Launceston City last week, and they now find themselves in the thick of the title race early in a shortened season. Adam McKeown scored for the third consecutive game, but they found attacking drive from every position while remaining solid at the back. Breaking down that defence will be an even bigger challenge for South given Kasper Hallam and Andy Brennan are both under an injury cloud, but they’ve still got plenty of talent and pace to burn in the front third. A win would see them draw level with the Lions on points and would be a huge statement for one of the league’s younger teams. Key player: Chris Downes, Kingborough Lions Up against his old side once again, Downes will surely be keen to have a big impact on their home turf. He’s a player capable of impacting the game in every facet from the midfield and his ability in set piece situations makes him a constant threat to the opposition. South coach Ken Morton should know his strengths better than anyone, but will that be enough to slow him down?