Warriors fired up for crucial match

OLYMPIA coach Rob Clarke is urging his players to embrace the challenge as the Warriors prepare to take on Devonport in a crucial top-ofthe-table clash at Valley Road.

With seven NPL Tasmania rounds to play, Devonport and Olympia sit level on points, but the Strikers — who have a game in hand — top the ladder on goal difference.

The Warriors could be depleted in defence for the potentially season-defining clash — Clarke said Lucas Hill is suspended and Paul Stevens is uncertain of playing after picking up a knee injury last week.

Clarke said his side gained confidence from last week’s 3-1 win over third-placed South Hobart, and needed another victory tomorrow to stay in the title race.

“It’s no use being frightened of these games, this is what you play for and if you want to be up the top you have to win these games, you have to play the best teams,” Clarke said.

“It’s something to look forward to, I think. Realistically, they’re not going to drop points against anyone else except maybe South, you wouldn’t think — though football’s a funny game — so we have to win.”

The Warriors and Strikers have met twice already this season, with Devonport winning 1-0 at Valley Road in Round 2 and 2-1 at Warrior Park in Round 12.

Devonport coach Rick Coghlan expects “a tight battle for the whole 90 minutes”.

“Needless to say, it’s a pretty big game in terms of the context of the season,” Coghlan said, adding the Strikers were in “a really good vein of form” and hopes they can make the most of their home ground advantage.

“We’ve got a pretty good record at home, even long before my time coming here, so that’s going to be advantageous to some degree.”

Third-placed South Hobart will tune up for its FFA Cup clash with Marconi Stallions at Blundstone Arena on Wednesday with a match against sixthplaced Launceston City at Darcy Street tomorrow. South has bolstered its squad ahead of the FFA Cup match, re-signing gun utility Kobe Kemp from Victorian club Caroline Springs George Cross FC.

Bottom side Clarence United hosts fourth-placed Hobart Zebras at Wentworth Park and eighth-placed Riverside Olympic hosts seventh-placed Glenorchy Knights at Windsor Park.

In Women’s Super League, bottom side Clarence United hosts ladder leaders Olympia Warriors, South Hobart hosts Kingborough, and Ulverstone hosts the Hobart Zebras.