Top Shark May Not Play Again This Year

It has been reported to me today from a 'reliable' source that Bobby Eaves, for reasons undisclosed, will not be playing again for Somerset's senior team for the remainder of the year. He will, however, continue with his junior coaching role at the club. If Bobby is a reader we would love to hear his story. Hopefully, from a Shark pont of view, he left on a positive note.

Rangers Thumped 7-1

Rangers were put to the sword by a dominant South Hobart at the Ulverstone Showgrounds today. Rangers were under the pump in the first half but the defence absorbed the pressure and went into half time only trailing 1-0 after a cracking goal from outside the 18 yard box. Rangers had a few chances in the first half to score themselves but they were usually camped in their own half.

It wasn't pretty after half time from a Rangers perspective as South started to pile on the goals as 3 went in in quick succession after the restart. Lanau-Atkinson pulled a goal back for Rangers to make it 4-1 but the route continued soon after. After the game Adam Whitemore seeme disgusted with his team's defensive efforts in the second half. He made no excuses though, as blind Freddy could see that South were the superior team.

If South Hobart continue with the current coach and the current set up they have at the moment they will have a long reign at the top of Tasmanian Soccer for years to come. They dominated today, as they have done for the last 2 years.

Results

Burnie 1 - 3 Taroona

Devonport 2 - 1 Glenorchy Knights

Olympia 2 - 1 Hobart Zebras

Statewide Lakoseljac Cup

Only 3 out of the 8 remaining teams in the Lakoseljac Cup are from the NPL and all will be in action on the NW coast this weekend. See below for the Rangers fixture report. Clearly they just couldn't go the whole year without playing a game at the glorious Ulverstone Showgrounds so they rescheduled.


Burnie v Taroona            Montello             2pm              Saturday

Burnie get the chance to put a tumultuous week or two behind them when they face the only remaining Division 1 side left inthe competition in Taroona. It would be a massive comeback for Burnie to make the 4 in the league so the longer they can stay in this competition the better. Riverside will be the first to advise that Taroona shouldn't be taken lightly. However, I would love to see Burnie give them a hiding and send them back down south to have a sook on Walter's site.


Devonport v Glenorchy Knights       Valley Rd       2pm        Saturday

Devonport have been dominant of late after a slowish start to the season. They take on a Knights outfit that have found some form of late, although they have had 2 quality players depart in recent weeks which may unsettle them slightly. To be honest, no one likes the Knights down south so there is no reason we should like them up here. Listen up Devonport lads... Give them a bloody flogging! We will appreciate it very much.

Rangers v South Hobart        Ulverstone Showgrounds      2pm     Sunday

Good luck Rangers.... You'll need it!  But.... .I'll predict an upset!!!! 2-1 Rangers!!! Go you good things!!!
Brayden Mann was seen compiling a pitch report at training tonight for Kenny Morton so there might be a hint of nervousness from the South camp. South fear Rangers.

Northern Rangers To Play South Hobart in Ulverstone

Northern Rangers will do battle with the undisputed power house of Tasmanian Football this Sunday when they take on South Hobart in the Quarter Finals of the State Wide Cup.  One point of interest will be the venue, Northern Rangers have decided the risk is too great to play the match at their home ground at the NTCA, with the recent poor weather and the fact that the ground is already water logged with more rain on the radar.

After a meeting with the head groundsmen Paul Medcraft, the decision was reached, that in the interest of player safety and the ability to play an attractive brand of football, an alternate venue should be found.  Ulverstone Soccer Club have been good to Northern Rangers in the past, and have again agreed to host the club for this fixture.  This ground holds up exceptionally in inclement weather and happens to be available on the weekend. 

"It is regrettable to have to ask Ken Morton and his players to venture a further 100 kms north, but this is the best outcome for all concerned in light of the recent rain, that rain has just made the ground too wet under foot, and with two games of Aussie Rules on the NTCA deck the day before, the chances of the ground being in a condition becoming of such a clash are just beyond reasonable.  We Would like to thank Ulverstone and Rudy Compagne for his generous offer of support in making the ground available." Said the clubs Public Affairs board member Brendan Lichtendonk.

The match will kick off on Sunday at 2pm, and is the only senior men's fixture for the day.  One would hope some of the football supporters on the coast will take the opportunity to make their way to Ulverstone and support both Ulverstone Soccer Club and Northern Rangers in the clash and if nothing else, take the opportunity to witness what promises to be a great match.

In the State Wide Vase competition, Northern Rangers will do battle with Launceston City in the curtain raiser kicking off at 11:30am.

Ladder

Team	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	For	Against	Points
Devonport	11	9	0	2	38	18	27
Rangers	11	8	1	2	27	10	25
Prospect	10	8	1	1	26	9	25
Ulverstone	10	6	1	3	26	16	19
Riverside	11	4	2	5	19	22	14
Launceston City	11	3	3	5	16	22	12
Burnie	10	3	0	7	17	22	9
Somerset	11	3	0	8	18	31	9
Launceston United	11	0	0	11	15	52	0

Northern Rangers Vs Launceston City Highlights

George Dale Medal

A few names have been thrown up in regards to the George Dale Medal.

Last year's top 10 were:
Todd Hingston       NR               24
Chris McKenna     DC               21
Bobby Eaves         SO               19
Ben Foote             UL                16
Pip Atherton          PK               14
Brayden Mann       UL               14
Mark Baker           PK               13
Kamil Douglas       DC               13
Chris Smith            BU               13
Sam Hughes          RO               12

Hingston also won in 2009.
McKenna won in 2008.

I need a few names to add to the mix to run a poll. Ben Foote will probably feature in the top 10 again from Ulverstone. Joel Stone is also playing consistantly for us and the highest votes for an Ulvie player will probably be out of these two. Ben, however, is the proven vote getter. Let us know the players in the running from your club to help me put a list together.

Northern Rangers Vs Riverside Highlights

Quality Finishing Sees Devonport Return To The Top

It was a goal scoring master class by Devonport this afternoon at Cardigan St. The appropriately named Strikers put 7 quality goals past the Sharks, who could only manage 2 in return.

Devonport dominated early but were unable to put one on the score sheet. Kieran Mulraney opened the scoring after about 25 minutes with a well taken goal past the hapless keeper. The only problem was it was his own keeper he slotted it past. Somerset's lead lasted about a minute however when Chris McKenna dispatched a 25 metre free kick into the top left corner. McKenna scored his second shortly after with a delicious volley from the edge of the box that dipped beautifully over the 'Big Deal' in goals. Mulraney made up for his earlier boo-boo when he pounced on a ball that somehow made it through a Dev player, a Shark player and the keeper and tapped it into the empty net. Bobby Eaves pulled a goal back on the stroke of half time to keep Somerset in it after his original shot was bloked. Devonport went into the break with a 3-2 lead.

Only one side came out for the second half really and it appeared that both Bobby Eaves and Chris Smith were carrying injuries. Rob McDonald showed he knew how to finish when he drove a shot from the edge of the area into the bottom right corner. McKenna finished off his hat-trick with a quality header to put the game beyond doubt. Mulraney went on to finish off his hat-trick of sorts when he finished well past an advancing keeper after it looked like his touch was going to be too strong. McDonald put the last goal in after he drove a shot from a similar spot as his first, however this time it took a deflection on the way in. Final score 7-2. Even the most one-eyed Shark supporter would have to admit they were totally outclassed today. Somerset will use the week off to rest some sore bodies and bounce back stronger after the break.

The highlight of the game was Chris McKenna's hat-trick. All three goals were from the top draw and worth the price of admission alone. Only injury will stop the McKenna juggernaut from once again taking out the leading goal scorers award for the league.

Saturday Results

Forestry Tasmania Northern Premier League:
Prospect Knights 3 def Burnie 0
Northern Rangers 2 (Nicholson, Jago) def Launceston City 1 (Macri)
Devonport 7 def Somerset 2
Riverside 4 def Launceston 1

Reserves
Northern Rangers 3 def Launceston City 1
Prospect Knights 1 drew Burnie 1
Devonport 4 def Somerset 0
Riverside 4 def Launceston 1
Under 18s
Northern Rangers 0 drew Launceston City 0
Burnie 3 def Prospect Knights 1
Devonport 4 def Somerset 1
Riverside 3 def Launceston 2

Match Report from www.northernrangers.com

Nicholson Wonder Strike Wins Rangers Three Points.

It took a moment of absolute brilliance from Andrew Nicholson to deliver Northern Rangers a deserved victory over their rivals Launceston City, and it will be spoken about for years to come.

Northern Rangers fronted up for their only game under lights at the NTCA this year, but had to face up without in form striker Chris Hunt, who had ruled himself out of the clash so as to be able to prepare for his university exams.  Adam Beard and Issa Dumbuya were both available again though after serving one week suspensions from the match against Burnie.  Beard started for Hunt while Dumbuya came on from the bench.

Rangers record against Launceston City is not that flash, just 6 wins over them to date and even in the years that City have been at their lowest ebb, Rangers have had to battle tooth and nail to win,  only ever once performing the double on them back in 2009 with a 3-0 and 0-4 result.  This game was massive, as every game will be from now to the last of this season, with nothing but a win acceptable, anything else will then take the Rangers destiny out of their own hands and they will then rely on results to fall their way, even now, goal difference could still be the clincher.

Rangers moved the ball well from defence to midfield this week, and looked lethal at times, however the build up play was coming to little in the forward third.  When the ball did make it into a dangerous position, Rangers lacked the deft touch to go ahead on the score board.

Hingston hit a rocket from 20 yards out, and typically, this was where the best of the chances were coming from.  Nicholson copped an ankle tap in the 18 yard box, but stayed on his feet to attempt to finish the chance, where a fall may have won him a penalty.  Hingston also looked dangerous from corners with his head, but the chances were either dealt with by Smith in goals, or deflected off a team mate for a goal kick.

City got in for their best chance of the match when Macri received a long ball down the left, he sent Declan Cuschieri the wrong way and passed him with ease before side stepping Lanau-Atkinson at the top of the box, his solo effort then was rewarded when his low shot went passed Pooley in goals and into the net for the lead.

Despite Rangers only having won one game this year from a deficit, against City of late their record is great in such a position, twice since 2008 have Rangers gone on to win against City in spite of a 2 goal deficit.  One only needs to cast their mind back to last year’s shambolic day of shambles at Prospect.

Shortly after the set back, Adam Beard looked to have put the teams back level when he ran on to a neatly timed ball from Hingston, his control and shot from 20 yards out, beat the keeper, but hit the upright and was cleared.

Hingston also made good work of a corner, his charge from the back post to the front and contested header with the keeper was also denied by the very up right that had saved City from Beard’s shot.

Chances flowed but Rangers could not answer the call and it remained 0-1 at half time.

Rangers came out and took the game to City, Rangers controlled great lengths of the second half  and penned City in their own half for long periods.  The home side still looked vulnerable to the long ball counter attack City are so renowned for, with Cuschieri and Luck too far apart at times, this allowed Macri space to create another goal should the opportunity present.

But Rangers did hit back when a lovely passage of play ended with a centre meter perfect ball to the feet of Stefan Jago diagonally across the 18 yard box, he controlled the ball and finished superbly to level the scores.

The game lost some of its momentum after the goal and Whitemore introduced Dumbuya for Murray to activate some spark to the forward line.  Dumbuya was a constant presence out wide, and made great work of his opportunities.

With the game delicately poised, regardless of the midfield dominance Rangers were enjoying, it was getting increasingly hard to see where the winners was coming from after Schipper and Hingston both missed close chances. 

Lanau-Atkinson was making brilliant distractive runs across the back line of the City defence, and this was opening the way for the midfield to shoot, but it was a ball to the feet of Nicholson, in the same area in which Jago had scored earlier that sealed the fate of City, with defenders around him and little of the goal on offer for the shot, Nicholson rounded his defender and released a bullet from 15 yards out on a tough angle that soared into the roof of the top corner of the box style net, sending the healthy crowed into hysterics at the same time as Rangers hit the lead for the first time with just 2 minutes to play plus injury time.    

Rangers did enough and referee Chris Parr blew time on another epic battle between these two clubs, Rangers this time getting away with the three points late in the game, as City had done to the club so many times in the past.

A game played in great spirits, and surely entertaining for all who witnessed it.

Some bad news though for those hoping to catch the highlights, the video camera at the ground did indeed lose battery power just minutes before Nicholson’s great goal.

Late Winner Gets Rangers The Win

Rangers 2 - 1 Launceston City

Rangers scraped home against Launceston City in their clash at the NTCA under lights this evening.

City were in front at the break after Macri scored. Jago drew Rangers level and a goal from Nicholson with 3 minutes to go sealed it for Rangers who keep pace with Knights and the Strikers at the top of the ladder.

This Week's Fixtures Including Big Outs at Burnie

This week’s fixtures might look straight forward but the results will be a lot closer than anticipated and it would surprise if there wasn’t at least one upset.

Rangers v Launceston City    NTCA         Friday                7.00pm

The NTCA will be lit up on Friday night as Rangers look to keep the heat on Devonport at the top of the table. City will be looking for an upset win to keep their top 4 chances alive and they might fancy their chances after a 0-0 draw in their first round encounter.

Prospect v Burnie                        Prospect Park     Saturday    2.30pm

Burnie make the trip to Prospect Park this week without a few of their first team regulars after Jeremy DeBomford, Kaimon Johnson and Kyrone Johnson walked away from the club, and perhaps the sport. Not having these three will certainly challenge Burnie’s depth against a side gunning for the title. Prospect have some outs also but should be able to cover these losses better than United.

Somerset v Devonport         Cardigan Street   Saturday    2.30pm

Ladder leaders Devonport will go in favourites to win this match but these two teams last encounter ended up being a 4-1 victory to the Sharks. Somerset has found some form of late after pushing Knights all the way last week and beating Ulverstone 3-2 the week before. Devonport are certainly the form side at the moment and will be looking to hand out some payback after their first round loss.

Launceston United v Riverside       Birch Ave   Saturday    2.30pm

Launceston United were unlucky to go down 3-1 to Ulverstone last week, and hopefully they take heart from that performance and keep pushing for that elusive first win of the season. Riverside has not won a game since the 16^th of April when they toppled Burnie 3-0. When these two squared off against each other in the first round it was a goal fest, with Riverside triumphing 5-4.

Ulverstone – Bye

Ulverstone coach Nick Owen will be flogging his team to death on the training track as they need a bit of a boost before we take the field in two weeks time. We don’t want B. Foote getting tubby around the edges.

State League????

I played State League for South Hobart in the late 90's and loved it! Especially the time we beat the then mighty Devonport 3-2 at Devonport. What made it better was all the Dev players, except Snow, sooked off after the game rather than join us in the bar. I think I outjumped Snow from a corner and South player Chris Reyner flicked the ball past the keeper (I think it was Bob Smith) for the winner.

But enough about me... What are your thoughts on a State League? Could it work? Who should the teams be?

Ladder

Team	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	For	Against	Points
Devonport	10	8	0	2	31	16	24
Rangers	10	7	1	2	25	9	22
Prospect	9	7	1	1	23	9	22
Ulverstone	10	6	1	3	26	16	19
Launceston City	10	3	3	4	15	20	12
Riverside	10	3	2	5	15	21	11
Burnie	9	3	0	6	17	19	9
Somerset	10	3	0	7	16	24	9
Launceston United	10	0	0	10	14	48	0