Second round starts tomorrow

Burnie can jump into the 4 this week with a win and a few games going their way. With no games on the coast Saturday football fans may find the time to mow their lawns and spend time with their family's, UNTIL Sunday when Somerset host Rangers at Shark Park.

Launceston United V Prospect Knights 2:30 pm Birch Ave

Launceston look good on paper but over the years have struggled to convert from paper to the actual game. This week they host the Knights and will be looking to do the double over them this year after beating the Knights 2-0 in the first round.

Ray Heald and the Knights would be angered by the first round result and would be looking to turn the result around tomorrow. After last weeks big loss to the Sharks the Knights are slowly getting senior players back from injury and this week would probably be the strongest they have been this year.

Ray Heald had this to say"We still have some injury concerns  but welcome Mark Baker, Greg Duffy and Lachie Farrell this week, Mitch Duffy still out rolled angle  ,   after playing the top two teams in the last three rounds, Somerset are the stand out when they have their full squad available, rumor has it some are also playing Footy could have an impact if true, we will be looking to improve on our first round defeat of 2-0 against united the first half of the season we struggled to score goals, but are finally getting some players back that can improve  our averages in front of the goals.

 

Launceston City V Burnie United 2:30 pm Mitsubishi Park

City find them selves with the daunting task in hosting the inform Burnie United. United were very unlucky not to take a point last week at home against ladder leaders riverside and would be drooling at having the chance to play bottom side City at home with no V League team playing there.

Ray Parke has selection issues this week, But not the bad and in a very long time Burnie have a full 16 senior players to choose from. Their Brisbane import Peter Van Ek is back for this game and may find him self as the general in the back line with the every ready Josh Daily.

If Burnie win this and Sharks beat Rangers and with Ulverstone having the bye, United will be in the top four and will be hard to get back out.

Riverside V Devonport 2:30 pm Windsor Park

Riverside are at home and will be looking to keep its unbeaten record for this year and keep the 3 point gap against the Sharks. Even though Riverside controlled the game last week they found them selves only just taking the three points Wayne Penfold would not be happy and would of ironed out the little issues at training through the week. Riverside are strong all the way across the park and their defence over lap like any professional team does and that is one of so many reasons why Olympic are at the top undefeated.

Coach Penfold said this"We were perhaps a little lucky to get the win against Burnie last week. Its always a tough assignment at Montello, just like the Devonport Strikers are always a difficult opponent. They are very well coached and will pose a threat to our unbeaten run.

There is an injury cloud over Taylor Neilson this
week, so if he doesn't come up, he will be replaced by his brother Mitchell.
Devonport seem to have a more settled line up this time around and have had some good performances since their last loss in Rd 4 against Somerset.
We expect another hard fought game and every game is effectively a Cup game for us, so we will be pushing hard for a victory.

Somerset v Rangers Sunday 230 pm Shark Park

Somerset will be looking to keep pressure on Riverside. Nigel Brown has this to say"We have moved our home game to Sunday at Rangers request. The reason being that I raised the issue at a presidents meeting that when VL clubs travel they rarely bring supporters, this means that a third of our home games bring very little revenue into the club and will eventually cause non VL clubs financial hardship.

Rangers asked for the transfer as they have a double header on the Saturday and this will allow them to maximize the numbers to this attraction.
Likewise they have assured us they will better support the Sunday match.
The Sharks will be at full strength and several players from last weeks Division 1 win are pressing their claim for a senior berth. With 16 players in the senior squad the selection panel will have a difficult job on Thursday night.
After Olympic escaped against Burnie last round we will need to keep on scoring, and winning, as goal difference may end up bring crucial at the end of the year.
The pitch has had a five week rest and is in excellent condition, so I expect three cracking good matches, and with the matches being in Sunday they should attract a good crowd.

Ladder after round 9

1	Riverside	9	9	0	0	33	8	25	27
2	Somerset	9	8	0	1	47	6	41	24
3	Devonport	9	6	1	2	32	19	13	19
4	Nth Rangers	9	3	2	4	18	21	-3	11
5	Ulverstone	9	3	1	5	17	16	1	10
6	Burnie	9	3	0	6	12	19	-7	9
7	Prospect	9	3	0	6	11	31	-20	9
8	L'ton United	8	1	1	6	9	30	-21	4
9	L'ton City	9	1	1	7	9	38	-29	4