Tuesday 31 May 2011

This Week's Fixtures

Launceston City v Riverside           Mitsubishi Park
This is a hugely important game for both teams if they plan on making the top 4 this year. Both teams are coming of losses. City were easily accounted for by league leaders Prospect, whereas River might be a little aggrieved that they conceded a late goal against Ulverstone to go down 1-0. The result from this game last time was 1-1.

Launceston Utd v Devonport         Birch Ave
Devonport will go top with a win over United. Their first round clash resulted in a 5-2 win to Devonport.

Ulverstone v Somerset                 Ulverstone Showgrounds
Earlier in the year, Ulverstone won 3-1, but it was an even game for a long time. Ulverstone will be silly to let Somerset’s lowly ladder position fool them into a false sense of security. The Sharks are due for another win and will fancy their chances this weekend.

Burnie Utd v Northern Rangers      Montello
Burnie have had 3 wins this year including a 3-2 win over this weekend’s opponents. Burnie will certainly be buoyant after their impressive 8-0 win over Launceston Utd last week and they will hope to continue their form. It will be a tough ask against a club who probably haven’t lost 2 games in a row for a while. Also, they wouldn’t have allowed a team to do the double over them in the season for a while. It should be an interesting battle.

Sunday 29 May 2011

Rangers Vs Devonport Report from www.northernrangers.com

Loss To Devonport Drops Rangers to Third.
Devonport's Chris McKenna in front of Rangers, Declan Cuschieri
This week’s game versus Devonport at Valley road was always going to be a crucial clash in the premiership race, and with Northern Rangers and Devonport Strikers only separated by a single point, the stakes were even greater.
Rangers were still without Mark Ambrose and Stefan Jago through injury, but Chris Hunt made his return to the side from the bench this week.
Devonport were at full strength and started new signing Robby McDonald up front with Chris McKenna.
The match started with a frantic pace, and both teams created good opportunities.  The midfield battle was interesting and tight, and Derek Schipper continued his purple run of form along with Todd Hingston and Scott Murray looked well at home in midfield, picking up plenty of touches and distributing well.
Some well built chances for Devonport made for some scary moments in defense for Rangers, but Sam Luck and Declan Cuschieri were in good form and managed the strength and pace of Mckenna and McDonald respectively for the most part.  Cuschieri made some brilliantly timed and anticipated challenges throughout the game.
A free kick opened proceedings when a quick kick was taken catching Rangers off guard, the shot was deflected and sat for Ashdown to fire into the net from 10 yards out directly in front.
Rangers responded well and started to become hungrier in midfield and when a neatly placed lob for Scott Murray was missed by everyone including the keeper Rangers were back on level terms when the ball ended in the back of the net.
With a 1all half time score, Rangers were going to have to finish their chances in the second half to overcome the Devonport outfit. 
The chances came for Rangers, some one on ones and opportunistic shots from outside the area, but they wouldn’t go in the back of the net.  Chris Hunt was introduced for Gabriel Tams who took a knock, Hunt’s impact was evident with some dangerous approaches down the left.  At one point he cut into the box and defeated two defenders but couldn’t quite get the deftly touch required to squeeze the ball past the keeper.  Andrew Nicholson too combined well but all in all Rangers couldn’t convert the chances. 
Devonport did at the other end, and Chris Mckenna pounced on a loose ball to send it home and put Devonport into the lead after 80 minutes. 
Rangers pushed forward to try and find an equaliser, but by sending men forward, left themselves exposed and Devonport closed the game off thanks to a fine finish from Daniel McGinn.
Rangers beaten on the day in what was a fine display of Northern Football, no one in the ground could say this was a poor game, in fact it was a classic battle at the top of the table. 
Rangers down but not out, and Whitemore urged the group to keep their heads up despite the setback.
Adam Whitemore said after the game “I'm sure the players are as frustrated as I am. It was a game we controlled and never looked like losing. Ultimately we gave away an awful first goal while we were dominating, and didn't get a winner when on top.

I can't fault the players (first goal aside). Intensity was great, the ability to keep and pass the ball under pressure was as good as I have seen. We didn't quite click in the last 3rd, but 1 goal should have been enough.

It wasn't unlucky. We need to be clinical and disciplined and leave no room for chance. Too many cheap free kicks after we had spoken about just that, it led to a goal against the run of play.

Scott Murray was excellent in a very good overall performance. It's all about the score line though.

We certainly won't be feeling sorry for ourselves. Its the beauty of the game ,the better team doesn’t always win. Cutting out the margin for error increases the chances,  we didn’t do that.

Well done to Devonport. It was a high quality, enjoyable game. We move on. “ 

Saturday 28 May 2011

Half Way Ladder

Team
Played
Won
Drawn
Lost
For
Against
Points
Prospect Knights
8
6
1
1
20
7
19
Devonport City
8
6
0
2
22
16
18
Northern Rangers
8
5
1
2
19
9
16
Ulverstone
8
5
1
2
21
12
16
Launceston City
8
3
2
3
14
17
11
Riverside Olympic
8
3
1
4
14
15
10
Burnie United
8
3
0
5
17
18
9
Somerset
8
2
0
6
11
19
6
Launceston United
8
0
0
8
13
38
0


All teams have played each other once. The ladder is up early for all to comment on! Who will rise? Who will fall? Perhaps some predictions on who is in the running for the league best and fairest.

Lakoseljac Statewide Cup Quarter Final's Draw

The tables have turned for the remaning 3 NPL clubs still in the Lakoseljac Cup. The draw looks like this.

Northern Rangers v South Hobart

Devonport v Glenorchy Knights

Burnie United v Taroona

Olympia Warriors v Tilford Zebras

After no southern team travelled in the round of 16, all NPL clubs drew home games against southern teams. Burnie will be the happiest after drawing the last remaining div 1 team. Rangers have the most to worry about after drawing the juggernaut that is South Hobart.

Results

Devonport 3 - 1 Rangers

Ulverstone 1 - 0 Riverside

Burnie 8 - 0 Launceston United

Prospect 5 - 0 Launceston City

Friday 27 May 2011

A Few Coaches Reports

Tom McGinn - Devonport

At this stage of the season this is a big game as a win will keep us up there however a loss would see us drop off the pace.

Exciting time for both clubs as rangers being winners the last 2 years certainly makes this a very tough assignment as they are a well organized team and give very little away.

We go in with winning a few games in a row and managed to convert last game knocking in 7.

The squad remains unchanged for this week with the possible exception of the starting 11.

We have welcomed Robert McDonald, a very exciting prospect from the United Kingdom and certainly has shown plenty ability in pre season and his debut as a substitute last game.

The key obviously for this game will be the battle in midfield with both sides keen to take control from the start.

For a neutral I think this will be a very good spectacle with some attacking soccer.

As this will also conclude the ½ way mark it will let everyone assess and reflect on the good and the bad.


Dane Hudson – Prospect
I haven’t seen City at all yet this year and really only know their progress through the 1st round from web and paper reports. They have taken some points off quality teams so we will have to be ready for the task they set us. We will have a full senior squad to choose from except Toby Omenhu who is travelling overseas. We will be looking to continue our momentum as the season unfolds and hopefully secure the 3 points.


Nick Owen - Ulverstone
We have made two forced changes this week. Dallas Baldock received a 2 week suspension from last week's game. Conor Meaney is also missing with family commitments. We welcome back Michael Grey and Sam Wood, the latter should be fresh after a weekend in Melbourne for a James Blunt Concert. Meaney and Baldock will be big losses for the team but we should beable to cover them well enough and it should be a close contest to earn the points.

Wednesday 25 May 2011

This Week's Fixtures

Thank Grobbelaar we are back to talking about our league!

Launceston City v Prospect Knights
Launceston City has had a week off and will be looking to return to form after their 4-1 loss to Ulverstone 2 weeks ago. The Knights did enough to get over the line against Launy Utd in their last league game; however they bowed out of the Statewide Cup last week after losing a close one to Rangers. Prospect will be looking to take full advantage should Rangers drop points to the Strikers.

Riverside v Ulverstone
Both teams will be less than satisfied after losing to some average southern teams in the cup and will be glad to have a chance to put those performances behind them. Ulverstone won in the dying minutes of this fixture last year and this game should prove just as close.

Burnie United v Launceston United
It is the first time this year that Burnie find themselves on a winning streak after beating Somerset and Nelson over the past two weekends. They will be confident of continuing the streak against a side that were pumped 7-0 by Devonport in heavy fog at Valley Rd. Launy United will surely earn themselves a league victory this year. Will it be this week?

Devonport v Northern Rangers
This is a massive game for both teams. Devonport has flown under the radar a little bit this year but they find themselves 1 point off the top of the ladder and in with a strong chance of knocking off and leapfrogging a quality Rangers side. Rangers have been hit with a few injuries of late. Will this start to catch up with them or will their depth shine through?

Somerset – Bye
Will Chris Smith head along to Montello and be bench coach for his mate, Sam Cocks???

Monday 23 May 2011

An interesting article in the Southern paper

The aattached article was recently printed in the Hobart Mercury.  Fairly interesting reading,

Cup results highlight gap


THE Milan Lakoseljac Memorial Trophy statewide cup competition has highlighted a substantial gap in the standards of the northern and southern Premier Leagues.

In the preliminary round, Olympia Warriors, who are bottom of the southern Premier League table, easily defeated Somerset, who are third-last in the north, 8-1.

On Saturday, Olympia comfortably defeated Ulverstone 3-0. Ulverstone sits fourth in the north, just three points off top spot.

Olympia were missing eight first team players who were either unavailable or rested for the cup match.

Ulverstone coach Nick Owen said his team had under-performed on the day.
"If you're judging the northern league on today's performance, we don't [usually] play like that," Owen said.

"We've played like that once this year [in the league] and copped a hiding and we've played like that again [in the cup on Saturday]."

However, there were other indications that there is a worrying gap between the southern and northern competitions.

Sixth-placed northern team Riverside Olympic were bundled out of the cup by League One outfit Taroona, who play in the south's second tier.
Burnie United were the only northern team to advance past southern opposition, defeating Nelson Eastern Suburbs 3-1, after they failed to replicate fellow League One side Taroona's upset.

Burnie join Devonport City and Northern Rangers, who both advanced by beating northern opponents, as the three northern teams in the final eight.
In the likely event they draw southern opponents in the next round, it will be interesting to see how competitive they are in the quarter finals.

Saturday 21 May 2011

State-wide Cup Results

Northern Rangers player Josh vanZetten moves forward
ahead of Andy Compagne.
Northern Rangers 2 (Nicholson, Luck) defeated Prospect Knights 1 (Sessay)
South Hobart 5 (Lo, Roach, Huigsloot, Brennan 2) defeated Kingborough Lions 0
Taroona 2 (Carey R, Hoppitt) defeated Riverside Olympic 1 (Guy)
Olympia 3 (Woolley, Kumpulainen, Phillips) – Ulverstone 0
Burnie United 3 defeated Nelson Eastern 1

Northern Rangers went to Prospect with 4 senior players missing, while Prospect had problems of their own with selection.  Rangers Missing Hingston, Ambrose, Hunt and Jago, while Prospect were without Crosswell, Atherton and Hill.

Rangers went ahead when Sean Collins awarded Rangers a penalty which was converted by Andrew Nicholson.  Matthew Sessay responded shortly after with a well taken goal during somewhat of a goal mouth scramble. and it remained 1-1 to half time.

Rangers restored the lead through a fine strike from Sam Luck direct from a free kick.

Prospect had their chances to equalise, but Rangers held on to record a 2-1.

Friday 20 May 2011

Devonport v Launceston United

I just watched the first half of this match. 2-0 at half time to Devonport. Jordan Douce and Grant Ashdown the scorers. Couldn't bring myself to stay and watch the second half. Watched from Devonport's attacking end and would not have seen United's goals had they scored any due to heavy fog. Devonport could well have been 3 or 4 up but numerous chances went begging. Will hopefully have the final score soon.

Northern Rangers Vs Somerset Highlights

Tuesday 17 May 2011

Lakoseljac Cup Fixtures

Lakoseljac Statewide Cup
Devonport City                 v              Launceston Utd                                Valley Rd                             Friday 7.30pm
These two teams have faced each other once this year with Devonport triumphing 5-2. Launy United had a good win under lights in the qualifying round against Launy City and, if they can manage a win again on Friday night, don’t be surprised if there is the odd erection or four in the corners at Birch Ave the following week. They might even put some light poles up too!
Prospect                              v              Rangers                                               Prospect Park                    Sat 2.00pm
Both teams will have cringed at the news of drawing each other in the cup as they are both even on points at the top of the NPL ladder. Rangers might be the more confident of the two sides going into the match as they administered the Knights only loss of the season so far with a 3-0 victory. Chris Hunt scored a spectacular brace that day so one would assume, if he is fit, that Prospect will pay him a bit more respect at the top of the box this time.
Taroona                               v              Riverside                             Kelvedon Park                   Sat 2.00pm
I put it out there on Walter Pless’ blog that River would flog Taroona and I still stand by my prediction. Taroona are currently sitting 4th in League One in the south, however, when these sides faced off in last year’s cup there was only a goal in it. Taroona will go in underdogs and could spring a surprise but this isn’t likely.
Nelson                                  v              Burnie                                   North Warrane                 Sat 2.30pm
Put your house on Burnie if you can. The biggest challenge for Burnie will be finding the ground! Nelson has won 2 games in League 1, both against Southern FC who are rubbish (Sorry Southern FC). Big win coming up for Burnie. Nuff said.
Olympia                               v              Ulverstone                         Warriors Park                     Sat 3.00pm
Strangely, of the eight cup games, this is the only NPL v SPL fixture. We play down on the synthetic shagpile that is Warrior Park. We don’t know whether to pack boots or moccasins, nor do we know if there is a ‘no shoes on the carpet’ rule. Olympia sit bottom of the SPL but it is a proud club who will be looking to progress as far as they can to lift their spirits. It should be a close game.

Other Games
South Hobart                     v              Kingborough                      South Hobart                     Sat 2.00pm
Glenorchy Knights           v              Newtown Eagles              KGV                                       Sat 5.15pm
Tilford Zebras                    v              Clarence Utd                      KGV                                       Sat 7.30pm

Sunday 15 May 2011

Ladder and Leading Goal Scorers

Team
Played
Won
Drawn
Lost
For
Against
Points
Northern Rangers
7
5
1
1
18
6
16
Prospect Knights
7
5
1
1
15
7
16
Devonport City
7
5
0
2
19
15
15
Ulverstone
7
4
1
2
20
12
13
Launceston City
7
3
2
2
14
12
11
Riverside Olympic
7
3
1
3
14
14
10
Somerset
8
2
0
6
11
19
6
Burnie United
7
2
0
5
9
18
6
Launceston United
7
0
0
7
13
30
0


Player
Team
Goals
Chris McKenna
Devonport
8
Antonio Macri
Launceston City
6
Matthew Sessay
Prospect
6
Michael Grey
Ulverstone
5
Sam Hughes
Riverside
5
Conor Meaney
Ulverstone
5
Nathan Bartlett
Launceston United
4
Ben Foote
Ulverstone
4
Thors Nimely
Launceston United
4
Chris Hunt
Rangers
4
Chris Smith
Somerset
3
Kieran Mulraney
Devonport
3
Paul Bremner
Burnie
3
Brody Best
Somerset
3
Colin Jackson
Riverside
3