Launceston United and Kingborough will be hoping that Female Football Week marks a pivotal point in their respective campaigns.
The match of the week in the Women’s Super League unites third and fourth placed teams separated only by goal difference and both keen to end inconsistent spells.
United are without a win since their 6-1 Statewide cup triumph over the Lions back in March, having scored 17 goals in their first three matches but just one since.
And while Kingborough have only tasted victory twice, they are hoping to build on last week’s comprehensive 4-0 win at Taroona.
United coach Al Ollington said his team had learned some valuable lessons from three straight losses to the competition’s pace-setters.
“After three pretty tough weeks playing South Hobart twice in a row and Devonport, we’ve actually just gone back to basics again in training looking to rediscover who we were at the beginning of the season and get back to playing some of that really good possession football,” he said.
“If we do that well we feel we’re capable of mixing it with any team in the league.”
Ollington said United were wary of Kingborough’s quality imports but hoped to use the occasion for inspiration.
“Female Football Week is huge for Launnie United. Having come into the WSL before they came into NPL, there’s a very strong female program. And there’s quite a few things happening at the club including a screening of the Matildas documentary and a Q&A session with a couple of the female players so we’re really excited to see what comes out of that as the girls get an opportunity to celebrate their role in the game.”
Striker Lucy Smith, who was among the scorers in the Statewide cup win, said the initiative was welcomed by the playing group.
“It means a lot especially with the junior girls coming up,” she said. “(Canadian import) Montana Leonard does a female football program with players under 14 and we’re focusing on supporting those younger players, developing their skills and bringing them into the senior side.”
Lions coach Simon Edwards felt his side showed United too much respect in the Cup but were stabilising through the first round of games.
“I think we’re starting to come together well,” he said. “We’ve got a bit more competitive against the top two and this week’s game is obviously quite pivotal for us.”
The clubs also meet in NPL Tasmania where United have conceded 34 goals in their six matches this season including 18 in the last two, but have four points on the board courtesy of a win over Clarence and draw with neighbours Riverside.
United coach Lino Sciulli admitted his side was in a slump but was looking to key players to inspire a resurgence, not least former City and Olympic keeper Dan Nash.
“Dan’s fitting in quite well,” he said. “He loves the club and the fact that he’s been accepted as he has. We’re happy with him. Goalkeepers are hard things to come by.
“Obviously we need to work hard on our defensive structure. We stay in games for quite long periods but the little lapses they have can be quite devastating.
“I’d really love to stop the bleeding a bit and be competitive in every game which we haven’t been at the moment. We’ve improved from last year but the sad reality is that every other team has as well.”
The Lions have also been leaking goals - 15 in their last three games - but will be playing Launceston opposition for the fifth time in six fixtures and buoyed by a Lakoseljac Cup victory at United in March.
Coach Jon Fenech said that 7-1 scoreline flattered his young team which has produced a mixed bag so far this season.
“That sort of inconsistency is part of growing and the more that we work together as a group we learn more about each other and every match we’re growing,” he said.
“There’s been positives from all of our matches and we’re now at a point where we need to show a bit more consistency.
“We know that they’ve got some very good individuals - Dan, the keeper, is capable of very good performances. They’ve got some good players and this is certainly not an easy game.”
Fenech said Max Pollara had probably been his standout player this season with fellow new arrival Rowan Pitt also finding his feet and teenagers Viktor Gordon and Lochie Schofield among seven players in his first-team squad who could still play under-21s.
“That’s where we’re up to when it comes to youth development,” he added. “When you mix that very young experience with some of the older boys it’s great.”
Football Tasmania Round 6
Women’s Super League
Friday, May 2
8.15pm Glenorchy v Taroona, KGV
Saturday, May 3
2.15pm Riverside v South Hobart, Windsor Park
2.30pm Launceston United v Kingborough, Birch Avenue
Bye: Devonport
NPL Tasmania
Saturday, May 3
12.15pm Launceston United v Kingborough, Birch Avenue
2.30pm Devonport v Clarence, Valley Road
4.30pm Riverside Olympic v South Hobart, Windsor Park
4.45pm Glenorchy v Launceston City, KGV