NPL Finals Series Preview: Devonport City vs Maitland FC

Free-scoring Devonport City will be looking to mount a National Premier Leagues Finals Series tilt against Maitland FC in the Quarter Finals this Saturday afternoon.

Devonport romped to the NPL TAS Premiership scoring an average of nearly four goals per game, but their opponents in NPL NNSW Premiers Maitland won’t be easy-beats in their first NPL Finals Series campaign.

The season that was

In a trend which occurred in many NPL competitions across the country this season, NPL NNSW Premiers Maitland FC could not consolidate their regular season form with a victory in the Grand Final.

Maitland beat Lambton Jaffas and Edgeworth FC to the title, but their 2-0 Grand Final loss to Edgeworth FC on the weekend ensured the Premiers could not secure the double.

Meanwhile, Devonport ended an impressive season of NPL TAS football as Premiers, scoring 91 goals in 24 games on the way to finishing six points above Olympia Warriors on top of the table.

SCHEDULE: National Premier Leagues 2019 Finals Series fixtures confirmed

Past NPL Finals Series Ventures

Devonport’s previous two experiences in the NPL Finals Series have not been positive for the Tasmanian side.

In 2016 NPL WA’s Perth SC dispatched Devonport 6-1 in the Quarter Finals, and two years later it was NPL VIC’s Heidelberg FC who defeated the Tasmanian Premiers, this time in a much tighter 3-2 affair.

Meanwhile Maitland come into the competition this season for the first time, and will be hoping to extend Devonport’s NPL Finals Series woes with an Elimination Final victory on Saturday afternoon.

Who wins and why

Devonport City’s frightening goal tally of 91 goals in 24 NPL TAS games will have Maitland wary of an offensive onslaught when they host the NPL TAS Premiers at Cooks Square Park this Saturday afternoon (1:00PM AEST).

Without a post-season NPL TAS Cup to contend with Devonport will arrive in Maitland to face the NPL NNSW Premiers having had two weeks to prepare for the tie, but following their heartbreaking Grand Final loss to Edgeworth last weekend I predict Maitland will return with a vengeance in the NPL Finals Series to send Devonport home in the first round of the cup for the third time.

Every match in the  NPL 2019 Finals Series will be streamed LIVE on www.nationalpremierleagues.com.au as well as via the official National Premier Leagues Facebook page (www.facebook.com/NationalPremierLeagues/).

National Premier Leagues 2019 Finals Series

*Please note this schedule is subject to change