Devonport came from behind to win the first of their big showdowns with fellow Women’s Super League pace-setters South Hobart 2-1.
With two more league meetings plus a possible Statewide Cup final ahead, the state’s benchmark teams put their 100 per cent starts on the line in what proved to be a fitting exhibition for Female Football Week.
After a goalless first half, Laura Davis scored her fourth goal in eight days to put South in front.
However, Strikers’ Japanese import Asuka Doi turned the tide in the space of six minutes by scoring for the sixth game in succession before striking a post and then setting up the winner for Annalee Bidwell.
The victory extends the champions’ remarkable run which also saw them win 17 and draw one of their 18 fixtures last season.
Two goals from reliable wing-back Laura Dickinson helped Launceston United end a run of four straight losses with a 4-2 victory at Glenorchy.
Abbie Chugg and Hollie Jones were also on target for Al Ollington’s team while Addison Broadbent and Jemima Brown hit back for Knights.
Riverside edged the battle of the bottom two with a 3-2 win at Taroona.
Goals from Amy Littlechild, Skyla Higgins and Madi Gilpin’s first since returning from Launceston United were enough as Brian Wightman’s team repeated their statewide cup victory over the same opponents.
Having lost their previous fixtures 2-0, 3-0, 4-0, 5-0 and 6-0, Taroona had the consolation of scoring their first league goals through Emily Funseth and sub Phoebe O’Brien.
NPL Tasmania leaders South Hobart came from two goals down to stay unbeaten with a thrilling 2-2 draw at third-placed Devonport.
Goals early in each half from Dylan D’Agostino and Colin Innes put Strikers on course to avenge their Lakoseljac Cup quarter-final loss before Adam Gorrie pulled one back against his old club and South captain Nick Morton salvaged a point with his eighth goal of the season.
That result opened the door for Launceston City to close the gap at the top and Daniel Syson’s men took full advantage, recording a fourth-straight win, 4-1 over neighbours Riverside.
Thierry Swaby poached a brace for the second week running with a Riley Fellows’ rocket and Maxx Rawlings’ penalty completing their scoring. Aidan Sands replied for Olympic.
Champions Glenorchy were made to work for a 3-2 victory over Launceston United.
Bary Karia, Cammron Morris and Joel Sammut found the target but United hit back through an Eisa Azizi own goal and David Owusu’s stoppage time strike.
Bottom-placed Clarence suffered their seventh-straight loss as Kingborough won 4-0 at Wentworth Park.
All the goals came in the second half with a Noah Mies brace taking his season’s tally to nine while Emanuel Ponce and Rowan Pitt also netted.
Image courtesy South Hobart Football Club.