Round 2 Will Decide The Men From The Boys

Round 2 has a couple of interesting fixtures this week. With most of the predicted winners got up last week im sure there are at least 3 winners already picked this week.

The game of the round is definitely between Riverside and Devonport.

Riverside V Devonport

Riverside host NPL side Devonport Strikers. It will be interesting to see how Devonport handle their cattle as it will be the first game that their V League side and NPL side play away from each other. Who will they drop back from their V League side knowing its still a must win game.

Riverside finally put their foot on the pedal in the second half last week to beat Burnie but this week coach Wayne Penfold knows he wont be let off the hook that easily against a stronger out fit. It could have been a cricket score last week but could on find 2 scores. Sammy Hughs will be the one to watch after starting his account last week after a few years off with a re-occurring knee injury.

Wayne had a few comments on this week” This week we face a tough test against Devonport. Whilst they have had most of their Senior players from last year move up into the V-League team, their Reserves side has been a benchmark in that competition for a number of years, so they will still be a force to be reckoned with.

We played a good brand of football  on the weekend and probably should have put away a few more goals and that is something that will need to be rectified when we come up against Port this week.

Having 3 home games in a row its really important we come away with the win this week and next week to get the season off to a good start.

Launceston United V Somerset

Launceston will be looking to improve from last week that lost 3-0, Allot like the Riverside Burnie game, The score line could have been worse. So one would think United will be looking to stop the leak in the back line and if rumour is true, Shannon Rumble may line up in goals after playing a game of reserves last week which will definitely straiten up the defence.

Chris Smith will be on the field this week after being a keeper through the Summer Cup

Somerset will be looking to continue its recent form against United and will be hoping they are on song in front of goals. They have a few different ins from last time they met with the ever reliable poacher James Nettleton starting his first senior game for this year and young defender Ross Smith coming in at right back after having a dominant preseason. Kevin Considine is looking forward to the match and had this to say” Somerset travel to Newstead for the second time this season. A

closer result may be on the cards with a few players missing from the Cup win, forcing formation changes. The day should get off to a good start with a full strength U/18’s starting the day in its bid for the 2013 title, and a new look reserves team hoping to be more competitive than last season.

Burnie United V Prospect Knights

Burnie host their first game this year and would be hoping to change their fortunes. Coach Ray Parke would have had his troops raring to go this week on the training field and would also have worked on their faults in time for the knights this weekend.

Will Mark Baker line up for the Knights this week?

Prospect will be looking for their first win as well after loosing by the skin of their teeth last week after having 2 goals disallowed for off side. Ray Heald was up for a chat and said this” Knights travel again to Burnie this week, Andrew Robinson and Liam Jarvis come into seniors this week after best on grounds in reserves

We have been working on our defence which cost us early goals last week and will be looking for a better effort in that area.

Rangers V Launceston City

This weeks game is another fixture with 2 victory league based teams. Rangers had a controlled win against United last week and will be looking to make it two ina row with another win at home on the NTCA pitch 2 kicking off at 1230 on Saturday. Rangers have shown they have a lot of depth when all teams are at home and it will be interesting to see who does get dropped back from the V League after they lost their first game.

City will probably use this as a guide line to see where they are at after loosing 6-2 to Devonport last week and face an even stronger squad. With the Launceston City V League team only having 15 of their 20 squad left due to injures, This will effect the NPL side.

Rangers by 4

ALL GAMES PLAYED SATURDAY

                               The Donk may play NPL this week