Round 5 kicks off this week after a week off for the state wide cup semi finals. Yet again the N/W coast has the delight of hosting three of the four matches in the NPL and Burnie United also host the Devonport Strikers V Kingbourough Lions.The NPL ladder is starting to take shape with two teams still undefeated.
Ulverstone V Rangers 2pm Ulverstone show grounds
With both teams sitting on 6 points this game will be vital for the winner to keep up with the front runners. A loss will see either side slip behind a couple of games and will be playing catch up for the rest of the season.
Adam and Shaun Conkie will be the danger guys for the reds again after Shaun Conkie is leading his clubs goal scoring.
I think Connor Meanie may be back in the side this week which will make th e reds fire power much more stronger. Matty Hubboard in the sticks has had an even start to the season with just the reds having about the same fors and against on the goal tally and im sure he will be looking to stop the leakage.
The Rangers will bring a bus load of fresh players, With the Victory League team having its full 20 to choose from for the first time this year since starting. Adam Beard will be a force to try and stop and playing at his old stomping ground will be out to cause a menace. Yitay Towns will be another the Reds back line will need to stop if they are trying to stop the leak.
Launceston United V Riverside 2:30 pm Birch Ave
Will Launceston be able to collect their first points for the season 2013, Hosting the inform
Sam Hughs is looking like his old self and in the same form after a few years off with a bad knee. Wayne Penfold knows his side must win to also keep up with the front runners and had this to say” It will be great to get back into the thick of it this week. After having two weeks off through a bye and the cup weekend, the club is champing at the bit to get back out there.
This week our game against Launceston will be a hard fought contest. You can always expect United to be up for the contest and we will need to be on our game right from the first whistle.
We have one forced change this week. Ross Marzetti is unavailable due to his Tennis commitments. Lets hope Mr Marzetti can control his temper a little better than another Australian Tennis players father.
This change will create an opportunity for another player to step up into the senior side and show me that they belong there. So I hope they take their chance.
The Sharks go into this game with an unchanged line up that beat Burnie 8-0 last NPL game, But for the first time this year will have 2 fresh senior players on the bench. Kevin Considine is worried with a few slight injures and had this to say” Somerset are expecting a real struggle this week when it takes on the strong Prospect Knights & with several injury concerns the Sharks will be treating this match like an early final. On paper both teams look to be evenly matched which should make for a great spectacle at Shark Park
Prospect have had a hard run with travelling this year and even though it is round 5 they are already having their last bus trip for the season. The Knights will be looking to take all 3 points this week and the rumour is that the ever so green Nathan Balym will be playing a sweeper roll again for his 30th year of football.
Coach Ray Heald has this to say” Last coastal games for the season, bus trips are over we all know how this affects player’s availability,
Players out this week Andrew Robison unavailable, Mitch Duffy injured, in Mitchell Dent, Somerset have had some great wins 21 goals for - none against, obviously the team setting the standard we are looking forward to challenge.
As all clubs know Prospect started the season with very few under 18 players and almost looked like folding, so a big well done to Greg Duffy and all involved that have turned that group around I think Greg almost has a full squad, well done.
Burnie United V Devonport Strikers 4:30 pm
Burnie are hosting Devonport this week inn all formats of football with the V League playing southerners Kingbourough at 2pm. Which allows the NPL sides to play a twilight match.
A very determined Ray Parke will have his troops fired up and after the performance last week will accept nothing but a win this week. Burnie’s physical presence may see them get across the line with a much younger opposition.
Devonport Strikers have the luxury this week with all teams playing in the one spot so choosing teams would be easier.
Daniel McGinn, Grant Ashdown and Simon Wilson have all been included into the NPL side from the Victory League. This will give Devonport more senior experience and stronger bodies which is need against Burnie.
Rod Andrews spoke about this weekends game"
Playing away from home, particularly at Montello always provides us with challenges, and we don't see this weekend as any different. We have the upmost respect for Burnie and how they Apply their trade on the ground.
On paper, we look pretty strong, with a couple of V. League Squad members making returns from injury, but all that stuff is irrelevant come kick off time- I hope the weather is nice!
Ladder after Round 4
1
|
4
|
4
|
0
|
0
|
13
|
5
|
8
|
12
| |
2
|
3
|
3
|
0
|
0
|
21
|
0
|
21
|
9
| |
3
|
3
|
2
|
0
|
1
|
9
|
6
|
3
|
6
| |
4
|
3
|
2
|
0
|
1
|
5
|
2
|
3
|
6
| |
5
|
4
|
2
|
0
|
2
|
6
|
5
|
1
|
6
| |
6
|
4
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
9
|
8
|
1
|
4
| |
7
|
4
|
1
|
0
|
3
|
4
|
16
|
-12
|
3
| |
8
|
4
|
0
|
1
|
3
|
4
|
14
|
-10
|
1
| |
9
|
3
|
0
|
0
|
3
|
1
|
16
|
-15
|
0
|
Congrats to Greg Duffy and the Knights gang for getting their unders up and running, good to hear.
ReplyDeleteDevonport play Montello like their second home and don't lose too often there.
Shame that the programming caused 2 coastal and the VL match at the same time.
Note that the next weeks games between Ulverstone and Somerset are now on Saturday not Sunday.
ulvie's gd is +3.... KB
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly what it says KB
Delete