Ulverstone V Rangers headline Round Five Fixtures.

Agele Luate attacks for Northern Rangers

Ulverstone will host Northern Rangers in the match of the round for round five of the Forestry Tasmania Northern Premier League.

Both Sides have had strong starts, Ulverstone’s only blemishes an unfortunate 3-3 draw with Devonport and a 1 all draw with Riverside,  Rangers dropping points at home in a 2-1 loss also against Devonport last round.

It all points to a close battle, with both teams needing the win to keep in touch with Devonport and the other challengers.  Ulverstone have not beaten Rangers since the last round of 2008 but find themselves as a real title threat for the first time since 1999 when they finished 3^rd.

Prospect Knights will be looking to continue their dominance of Launceston United in recent years when they travel across town to meet at Birch Avenue.  Launceston have returned 4 points already this year, breaking their drought that has dated back to 2008 for their last league win.  In that year they only delivered the club 7 points, one feels they will exceed that in 2012 with ease, but may struggle to earn any points against the defending champions this weekend.

Riverside's Steve Goulbranson

Prospect will welcome back Chris Pickering and Tim Claxton from suspension to boost the side that beat Somerset 2-0, but their last game was 2 weeks ago, and this may be an issue for Prospect after copping the bye and state wide cup weekend consecutively.

Launceston will look to their Prospect recruit in Jack Hudson to give some drive from the left of the park and I’m sure Jack would love a goal against his old club.

Riverside and Launceston City will kick off at 12:30 to promote the youth in their clubs and move the Under 18 game to the 2:30 time slot.  Riverside are un beaten so far this year, and Troy Scott will be happy with the results from his boys, though concerned with the clubs inability to put weaker sides away such as Launceston and Burnie, whom they have only beaten by a single goal so far this season.

Launceston City will be keen to just be competitive and try and snatch a point or 3 at this point.  Games between these sides are often close, though I think Riverside will be too strong here.

Devonport will be too strong for Somerset this weekend, even with Somerset welcoming back some players from injury.  The late kick off time will give other clubs a chance to get along to Valley road and see the game in the twilight kick off at 4:30.  Devonport will remain on top of the ladder after 5 rounds, that you can be sure of.