Strikers in box seat on goal difference to claim the title from Knights

NPL Tasmania will reach its thrilling conclusion on Saturday as Devonport Strikers and Glenorchy Knights both have hopes of becoming champions.

The sides are level on points heading into the final day, but the Strikers occupy top spot with a plus-40 goal difference compared to the Knights’ plus-35.

Glenorchy faces Launceston City at KGV and will require a win to have any chance at the title. While a Devonport victory will likely see it take the trophy home, the Knights could still be crowned champions with a win big enough to overcome the Strikers’ superior goal difference.

Regardless of the outcome, the Strikers will farewell coach Chris Gallo at the final whistle, as well as goalkeeper Nathan Pitchford, who announced his retirement midweek.

Pitchford has won NPL Tasmania in each of his previous three years at the club and has a chance to continue that streak come Saturday’s game.

He said it “would be amazing” to end his career with another title triumph, but believes his retirement should not overshadow the work of his teammates up to this point.

“We’ve put ourselves in a very good position to win it,” Pitchford said.

“Some of these guys have had the opportunity to win titles before but there’s a couple of guys in our group who haven’t had that experience and so it’s just as important.

“They should be super-motivated for themselves, more so than they’re motivated for myself or Chris.” One of the Strikers’ three losses this season came at the hands of Kingborough Lions in April, but Pitchford said his side is confident.

“Other than against Glenorchy Knights at the weekend, we’ve been playing some super football lately,” he said.

“We go into this game very confident but realistic that it’s going to take our best performance to leave with three points and to put ourselves in the best position to win the title.”

The race for the golden boot will also go down to the final day with the Strikers’ Brody Denehey leading South Hobart’s Nick Morton by one goal.

South Hobart faces Olympia Warriors at Darcy Street, while the final fixture will have Clarence Zebras host Riverside Olympic.