ROUND 7 Will See Some Crackers

Round 7 throws up some crazy timings due to the V Leauge and NPL sides playing at the same venue, Also this week will see some cracking games with a lot of rivalry  between some clubs.

Launceston United V Launceston City 2.30 pm Birch Ave

This game should be a very entertaining game in such that there will be plenty of goals scored from both clubs. Launceston United have been unlucky not to get at least a point a couple of weeks ago and will be looking to secure their first win of the year when they host City. Shannon Rumble must be on song to minimise the goals against.

City are up and about after leading last week on several occasions against a very good out fit in Riverside. Lino Sculli will now know what it takes to beat the opposition with the

squad he has and will be expecting nothing but a win away.

Somerset V Riverside Olympic 2.30 pm Shark Park

Somerset find them selves back at home again this week with a huge task at hand hosting Riverside. After a gritty performance last week against Ulverstone, Coach Considine was not happy where the team was at with a few areas and has addressed them over the week and has his side settled once again. The Sharks find them selves with another dilemma on who there starting 11 will be with Kaimon Johnson and Jeremy DeBomford coming back into the squad after a week in Melbourne. Kevin has this to say” Somerset are again expecting a tough match against a strong Riverside team this weekend, but the Sharks will line up much stronger than last week, with the return of several senior players. The Sharks form has dropped off in recent weeks and we will need to be at their best this weekend to have a chance for full points and maintain our unbeaten run.

Riverside know they must take the 3 points this week to keep in contention with the front runner to have a chance at the title. Sam Hughs will yet again be a danger for the sharks any where from thirty yards. Olympic have been able to find the back of the net easily this year but also leaking a few and coach Penfold will be trying to amend this against the Sharks.Coach Penfold had this to say"After a disappointing draw last week, we will be looking to bounce back in a big way against one of the yardsticks in the competition this year. Somerset have proven that they are one of the teams to beat in the NPL this year. But we will up and about after a good week on the training track, and look forward to the challenge that awaits.

Devonport V Ulverstone 4.00pm Valley Road

Devonport will  be fresh after having the bye and will be looking to continue their unbeaten run this year when they host the Reds. Devonport have showed they have the depth to be successful in the V League and NPL. It will be interesting to see who plays in the NPL due to the V League kicking off before. The Reds will have to  shut down Peter Gilliam who is on fire in front of goals and one would suspect if there

is a long term injury in the V League he may get called up. Rod Andrews had these comments” Last time we played Ulverstone was in the Summer Cup Final, which resulted in us being soundly beaten by a much better team,  and my son getting sent off, so fair to say  it wasn’t a great day!

Bad weather and the bye have interrupted training over the past couple of weeks, but despite that there have been some really positive signs that we have noted. Pete Gilham has fully recovered from injury, and is beginning to show glimpses of his best form, and young Beau Blizzard has really settled in to the side and his role. So we are considerably stronger than we were earlier in the year, but have no illusions as to how tough it will be for us on Saturday.

Ulverstone will know whats at hand. Loose and drop off or win and sta in contention. The Reds are a very strong attacking team and when going forward press hard. The Conkie boys will be out to get the three points and young gun Connor Meanie will be hard to stop with his pace and skill.

It will be an interesting game and with Ulverstone being more physical may just get home.

Rangers V Prospect Knights 12.30pm Sunday NTCA2

With a Sunday match happening at the earlie kick off at 12.30 sees the NPL and reserves kicking off at the same time due to the V League. Rangers are travelling along nicely after beating to sides away after the last two weeks and will know that the Knights will be no easy beat as the records have shown over time. Brendan Litchendonk had this to say” After a hard fought and physical match against Burnie last week, we lost Yitay Towns to injury and will miss him this week, though with the Victory League squad almost 100% full, we have plenty of cover and should have a strong side to put out against Prospect.
We have 7 Victory League players at our disposal and Jae Kim is back from Korea now so he should have some impact in this game too.  We are starting to find some consistency now in the Premier League, and its

crucial that we build on that this week against Prospect Knights.

Prospect have lost one of their leader s in Mitch Duffy who had a bad clash last week and broke his leg but maybe veteran and George Dale medal winner Mark Baker may find him self strait into the ones after work commitments have seen him unavailable for a few months. Ray Heald said this” We have only one out at this time, Mitch Duffy Broken leg  

 Looks like Mark Baker in for his first game of the year, won’t decide until after training

Rangers are travelling well third on the ladder, The Knights will have to be at their best to take away the points, like all victory league clubs its a bit hard to know what players will line up, our seniors and reserves both play at 12.30 this week which is also not ideal, not sure what the rationale behind this is.

LADDER AFTER ROUND 6

1	Somerset	5	5	0	0	25	1	24	15
2	Devonport	5	5	0	0	19	5	14	15
3	Nth Rangers	6	4	0	2	11	6	5	12
4	Riverside	5	3	1	1	11	7	4	10
5	Prospect	6	2	1	3	15	11	4	7
6	Ulverstone	5	2	0	3	9	9	0	6
7	Burnie	6	1	0	5	5	25	-20	3
8	L'ton City	5	0	2	3	8	18	-10	2
9	L'ton United	5	0	0	5	2	23	-21	0