Devonport Striker are favoured to win the 2021 NPL Tasmania title with just two games remaining.
They have a 3-point lead over second-placed Glenorchy Knights and a better goal-difference, which should see them retain their title even if they lose to the Knights next weekend away at KGV Park.
Devonport beat third-placed South Hobart 2-1 at Valley Road, a result which made it impossible for South Hobart to take out the title.
Glenorchy Knights struggled to secure a 1-0 win over Clarence Zebras and they now face an almost impossible task to pip Devonport for the title.
The league’s leading marksman, Brody Denehey, gave Devonport the lead against South Hobart midway through the first half, but Kasper Hallam equalised just before the interval.
South Hobart goalkeeper Nick O’Connell must have had a sudden rush of blood to the head 9 minutes after the resumption as he retaliated to a slight challenge by Joel Stone and knocked the Devonport player over unnecessarily, prompting the referee to award a penalty, which was converted by Denehey to give Devonport a 2-1 win.
Knights had almost all the possession and chances against Clarence Zebras but managed just a single goal.
They spread the ball beautifully from flank to flank with long diagonal balls, but there was no-one to finish the inviting crosses from the wings.
The breakthrough came in the 48th minute when Eli Luttmer headed home Eduardo Castaneda’s corner to give Knights victory.
Clarence Zebras had two chances to embarrass the Knights. Riley Dillon fired wide early in the second half after a quick counter-attack, while James Ackerley was unable to get to a cross at the far post and head at goal.
In other games, Olympia Warriors beat bottom-side Riverside Olympic 4-1 at home at Warrior Park through goals by Kyle Vincent, Matthew Bomford, Bilal Ait Maamar and Brayton Allan.
William Humphrey had given Riverside a shock early lead before succumbing meekly.
Kingborough Lions United made sure of fourth place with a 4-1 away win over Launceston City at Buckby Motors Park.
NPL Tasmania Results:
Devonport Strikers 2-1 South Hobart
Olympia Warriors 4-1 Riverside Olympic
Glenorchy Knights 1-0 Clarence Zebras
Launceston City 1-4 Kingborough Lions United
NPL Tasmania standings (As at 28 August 2021)
| TEAM | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts |
| Devonport City | 19 | 15 | 2 | 2 | 53 | 12 | 47 |
| Glenorchy Knights | 19 | 13 | 5 | 1 | 51 | 17 | 44 |
| South Hobart | 19 | 11 | 4 | 4 | 46 | 22 | 37 |
| Kingborough Lions | 19 | 9 | 4 | 6 | 38 | 36 | 30 |
| Launceston City | 19 | 7 | 1 | 11 | 25 | 43 | 22 |
| Olympia Warriors | 19 | 5 | 3 | 11 | 30 | 43 | 18 |
| Clarence Zebras | 19 | 4 | 3 | 12 | 27 | 51 | 15 |
| Riverside Olympic | 19 | 0 | 3 | 16 | 24 | 71 | 3 |
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