Results Saturday 12th April

Round 3 is all sealed up with 2 clubs still undefeated . Somerset and Riverside are off to dream starts and will hope to continue the trend until they meet each other.
A few comments after talking to the respective coaches and the same topic always seems to rear it's ugly head. Before the V League had started fft had promised that the NPL would have quality referees just like the V League but at the moment some clubs do not feel the same way. Over the last 3 rounds there has been at least 10 red cards. That has to be a record for some years!!!

NPL
Somerset 4 def Burnie 1
Launceston United 3 drew with Rangers 3
Riverside 3 def Ulverstone 1
Launceston City 1 lost to Devonport 5

V League
Launceston City 3 lost to Devonport 7

WNPL
Somerset 13 def Burnie United 1
Northern Rangers 4 def Launceston Utd 0

Sunday 13th April
V League
South Hobart 1 lost to Rangers 3 (nice work lads)

Let The Season Begin

We are under way again for another year with all clubs having a big pre season behind them. The Hudson cup is won and gone and also the N/W games are over.

 

Let the real games start.

  

There are a few early favourites out there and they will be looking to flex their guns early. 

 

The Northern Rangers NPL side is looking really strong along with Burnie and Devonport. Also chuck in last year’s winners Somerset and you might well have the top four. 

 

Somerset V Prospect 2:30 pm Shark Park.

Prospect will look to youth in 2014.

Somerset host their first home game for the year and will be looking to get off to a great start and sending a message the rest of the field.

  

The Sharks have lost 4 senior players from last year but have regrouped and recruited well, Picking up Keegan Wells, Garry Hamilton and Tom Luckman. Coach Jeremy Debomford said that his team was starting to get back together as cricket and injures have plagued their pre season.

  

Elliot Stewart comes straight back in and also James Nettleton who will add size and experience to the team.

  

Somerset will still be without coach Jeremy DeBomford, Garry Hamilton (work) and Kirien Whitehouse injured.

  

The Sharks are hoping to iron a few things out tonight and will be looking for the win Saturday.

  

Prospect Knights have been hit hard this year after losing 8 senior players off their list from last year. With Ray Heald in charge I’m sure that the Knight s will still be very competitive and had this to say "We Lost 8 senior players from last year three to victory league, Mitchell Dent (Rangers) Andy Compagne (City) Toby Omenihu (City) one (player is) interstate for work, two out still injured in Trent Mitchell and Mitch Duffy and Andy Robinson still focusing on his Running”

“Club has filled most senior spots this year with under eighteen players and a mixture of young reserves players.”

  

“We have two International students from Asia that will play seniors unfortunately not available this week, along with four reserves players, not available, which will stretch the reserves group for numbers this week.”

 

“Under eighteens are looking much more advanced  this year than last, some quality players with potential in this group, Greg Duffy coaching again  the club is expecting a much better showing from the lads this season, again unfortunately a couple missing this week.”

 

“Not to forget the ladies which as always have good numbers a new coach and are expected to improve on last year’s finish”

 

Ulverstone V Devonport 2:30pm Ulverstone Show Grounds

Dallas Baldock is among the next crop of players to leave
Ulverstone for the Victory League.

The Reds will be out to get redemption after being beat by the Strikers V League side last week 6-0. As I have had no contact from either side I am not sure where both clubs are at but I’m sure it will be a very physical typical derby.  

 

Ulverstone have had a worrying start to the year, but have sides on the park and were competitive in patches last week.  Devonport will need to find their next crop of young players quickly, with Mann, Stone and Gorrie all out of the Victory League, players from underneath will need to step up.  A match worth paying the entry fee.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Riverside V Burnie United 2:30pm 

 

Riverside will host Burnie this week, and with the West Tamar club turning on their new lights this week, one can expect a refreshed team this year, with full training under match facility lights available to them, a higher level of engagement can be expected.

 

Mathew Youd has returned to play, one of the most exciting young players a couple of years back, took some time off to focus on Uni, and Riverside look to have some fantastic young talent coming through.

 

Burnie have had some players return, and competition for spots has been built, which always brings results, expect a frequent return to the winners list for both of these clubs, though Riverside might be too strong at home.

 

Launceston City V Northern Rangers 3:30pm

DeGetto and Headland will be key
young players in Saturdays NPL
Derby.

It derby day with both sides playing each other in four grades this weekend.

 

Neither side will want to lose any of the fixtures on the day, and early season form is important to building a top four finish.

 

City can only be stronger this year across the board, with many inclusions into their top tier, their Hudson Cup form was average, but showed glimpses of promise.

 

Rangers will be without Yitay Towns who was injured during the week, and Ash Fisher who is interstate, but should still bring a strong side.

 

Northern Premier League Coach Brendan Lichtendonk said before this weeks game “Its great to get the season underway in a gala day with our rivals Launceston City, and it would set the tone for the season ahead to get off to a win, with a real tough game the following week against Somerset.” 

 

“We have our sights in winning the NPL, and everyone would back themselves at round one, but I do think we have enough quality to realistically aim at the top two, it will be a tight season with Burnie on the improve, and all Launceston clubs showed good signs in the Hudson Cup, so we expect 16 tough games to come.”

 

“As a club we have had some great results against City so far, but they are always really tough battles in the League Season, City have some very strong young players, who are technically sound, Lino plays a physical brand of football and seems to get the best out of the players he has, so we won’t be expecting anything but a tough and physical hit out.”

 

The club is at near full strength this week, I think only one player out of our entire Victory League 20 is not available, and everyone in the NPL make up knows that competition for spots is fierce, that is evident with Isa Dumbuya starting on the bench with John Wani and Mohammad Alkhazraj, all of these guys, 4 weeks ago I would have thought would be starting for me for certain.

 

We have Josh Burk all year this year, as study commitments have prevented him from putting his hand up for Victory League and he will be pivotal in our defence this year, he must have put on 10 kgs of pure muscle in the off season and doesn't mind a tackle.

 

We are also looking forward to seeing what our next crop of state league players can offer, with Chris Collins, Dylan Headland and Daniel Sparrshot all looking to lock themselves in at this level, and I wouldn't be surprised if they get the call up to the Victory League during the year.

 

Yitay Towns and Dylan Headland were just sublime last week in the U20s State Cup game, but Yit damaged his ankle during the week and will be out for some time which is a real shame for him and the club.”

 

Feel free to post your tips, and good luck to all this week.

Quarter Finals For State Wide Cup Drawn Yesterday

The final have been drawn for this years state wide cup. With the winner advancing to the FFA Cup.
Here are the fixtures.

Launceston City V South Hobart
Northern Rangers V Devonport Strikers
University V Kingborough
Clarence V Tilford Zebras

City just pip Somerset to go through

It was a battle of David and Goliath today as City host Somerset at Mitsubishi Park. The first 25 minutes was an even affair and it showed that the Somerset youngsters has what it takes to mix it with the best. Somerset would be upset with then selves after having two great opportunities to take the lead only to enter half time one nil down due to a rebound from a free kick.
After the break the Sharks replied to make it one all. After a bit of see sawing and both teams could have taken the lead, City drew the next blood making it 2-1. With time running out City were reward a dubious penalty and some would have tought they were at the diving Olyimpics instead. City converted to make it 3-1 final score.
The question I have to ask is there really that much difference between the V League and NPL. Due to the fact a V League was at full strength and an NPL team was only half???
Haters will hate but facts are true.....
Any more scores would be muchly appreciated.

It was a double header today at Mitsubishi Park with a game to follow with both V League clubs the Rangers and Hobart Olyimpia kicking off at 4pm. After the Rangers had been written of south of Cambell Town, they proved they have the goods and the players to be a real threat this year after beating southern summer cup winner and one of the big clubs from the south 3-0. Rangers were up 2-0 thanks to their new import Adam Edward.
After the brake Olyimpia had no chance with Edward finishing off his hat trick in style.

Other games
Devonport 6 def Ulverstone 0
South Hobart 11 def  Nelson 1
Glenorchy knights 0 lost to university 1
Beachside 0 lost to Kingborough 5

Under 20's
Rangers 5 beat Devonport 0

Final 16 in state wide cup begins this weekend

Finally some proper competition gets away this week with the Lakoseljac cup final 16 getting under way.
With a fair bit at stakes this time around every team will be out to win this as the winner goes into the FFA cup. This is like the FA cup in England and will see the winner of this comp taking on all the state league winners of their competitions and also the A League teams.
This was structured a few years ago and when it was the talk was if a club draws an A League club, The A League team will have to come and play at your home ground.

Launceston City V Somerset Sharks
This should be the game of the round as both teams have recruited well over the summer and are chomping at the bit to get going.
Launceston City have been the big improver over th summer and had some very successful signings. They have two imports. One is a Korean centre midfielder who has shown he already has what it takes and a Dutch goal keeper who is very sharp between the sticks. Add locals Andy Compaign and Toby Omenihue and Mark Christy and City are starting to look really good on paper.
Somerset have also been on a drive after loosing some players over the off season. They welcome back ex state champion captain Keegan Wells and Dr Garry Hamilton who has been in Hobart for a few years learning how to fix people. Also they have picked up another player by the name of Tom Luckman. as i have never heard of him time will tell.
This will be a great match and i think that Somerset will beat City but may need to defend hard in the last quarter as fitness may be an issue.

Devonport V Ulverstone

This is going to be another great game as its the cross river rivals. Devonport will be out to prove an early point that they can still be competitive after loosing a few key players of late. Their English import will be on show and im not sure if their back packing Frenchman has signed but would be a handy pick up even if he is only here for a little while. Bobby Eaves has fast tracked his injury and could also be a possible starter for the strikers. Also Chris McKenna may also be playing in this game as well.
ulverstone have been very quite this summer and not a lot  is known. I think the Conkies are not playing so that is a big hole to fill.

Rangers V Hobart Olympia

This has two V League giants facing off in the round of 16. Olympia have to travel to the NTC to take on the Rangers. Both clubs have just won both pre season cups respectively. This will be a fast paced game with a



lot of short passing happening.
Ranger s should be too strong at home.

Other games
Glenorchy v Universirty
South Hobart v Nelson
Taroona V Clarence
Tilford -Pass through
Beachside v Kingbourough

Adam Gorrie Is One Closer To His Dream

Devonport have been dealt another blow just weeks away from the start of the season. This time it is great news for Adam as he is one step closer to his dreams.

Devonport Strikers defensive midfielder Adam Gorrie, of Penguin, has been snapped up by New South Wales premier league club Blacktown City.

The 18-year-old impressed the club so much during a trial in January they offered him a spot the following week.

Gorrie will initially be playing with the club's under-20s team, but will train with the first-grade side and will be under consideration for a regular place in the first team.

Blacktown City is the same club which Gorrie's former Strikers team-mate Jesse Curran moved to, before being signed by the Central Coast Mariners A-League youth team.

Gorrie is hoping he can follow a similar pathway.

``That's what I am hoping for, and it's what I've always wanted to do,'' he said.

Gorrie said while he was pleased to be following his dream, he would miss playing at the Strikers.

``I'm going to miss the guys there, it's a great bunch of blokes and I've been there since under-18s,'' he said.

``I had a talk with them on Saturday at a practice match and they were all congratulating me.''

Gorrie, who this year made the inaugural Victory League team of the year and the Tasmanian under-20 side which played against Malaysian team Sarawak, said he would find living away from home a shock.

``It will be difficult to start with, I've never been away for a long period of time, so it's going to be a massive change, but it's what I want to do,'' he said.

The club will assist Gorrie in finding work.

Gorrie paid tribute to the set-up of the Victory League as a pathway for young players like himself progressing their careers.

``When I was younger I wanted to play in England, so that's still a dream of mine, but I definitely want to play in the A-League,'' he said.

``If I played for the Socceroos it would be a dream come true.''

Gorrie won't have long to settle in to his new surroundings, with Blacktown City set to start their 2014 campaign next Saturday, March 22.courtesy of the advocate.

Road Andrews also wishes Adam all the best and had this to say"

We have known about this for some time now and planned  to release something once the dust had settled re a couple of our unplanned departures.

Adam is a great kid, and we are absolutely delighted for him. This is the second player that has gone from the Coast to Blacktown. Central Coast Mariners Youth Captain Jesse Curran also spent a season there before being picked up by the Mariners. As you would imagine the Blacktown City Coach is pretty keen to get some of the water we drink on the North West Coast  bottled as clearly we are punching above our weight in terms of junior development.

As  an aside, to me it calls into question the value for money around our NTC program. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge fan of the concept , and would encourage any player to take up an offer to go there, but when a disconnected amateur club can achieve a similar level of success in terms of moving players along the correct pathways as a full time fully funded program – I think it reasonable to ask that question as a football Administrator  and a taxpayer. Some other juniors  who didn’t make the journey South

Jeremy Walker (Ulverstone)– Melbourne Heart  A League

Jesse Curran (Devonport) – Captain CCM Youth Team , and recently selected on the Young Socceroos Train on Squad

Jesse Dance (Devonport)- 2012 State Under 13 Captain (rejected offer to move to NTC)

Dom Smith (Devonport)- current Tasmanian Under 14 Captain (rejected offer to move to NTC)

Michael Holden(Devonport) – Was the youngest player to play NPL  last year (rejected offer to move to NTC)

Beau Blizzard (Somerset) -Was the youngest player to play Victory League last year (rejected offer to move to NTC)

Tom Pearce-(Ulverstone) –widely regarded as one of the best young goalkeepers to emerge from the Coast (never made a state team)

Eli Lutmer (Burnie) now living in Hobart and a former Australian  Under 17 (Joey’s) Team member

Incidentally, Adam never made a State Team and Jesse spent 2 months at the NTC before moving back to the coast. Gives hope to a lot of local players on the North West Coast