The under 12 boys regressed after a fine performance 7 days ago, and had to scrabble for a late goal to earn a 3-3 draw against Riverside. Passing was off, and first touches were also poor, with a number of opportunities in front of goal being lost to a poor first touch. Movement off the ball was a little lazy, making the work of the ball carrier more difficult and forcing decision errors. Need to change up a gear next week.

Under 14 Red lost their first game of the season, going down 2-1 to Riverside, in a victory for bang it long over pass and move. People have come to expect the Rangers best every week, which is an expectation few other teams have to live up to, and perhaps a little unfair. The lads may not have been at their best, but they were still quite clearly a more capable unit on the day than their opposition. The second half was a very one sided affair everywhere except the scoreboard, with Rangers drawing level after 20 minutes of total domination of possession. However, just as the draw at least looked safe, Rangers goal keeper Laurie Bowen came off his line for a save, meeting the ball, but providing something for the Riverside winger to fall over. The referee was quick to blow the whistle and award the penalty. Objectively, I can say that this was play on, but if you give the ref something to think about, you're playing with fire. We all still remember Lucas Neill giving Fabio Grosso something to fall over. If you think about it, referees are harder to get a kick out of in the penalty box, as they like to be "more sure", however these one on ones are often picked up ,where they wouldn't get a second look anywhere else on the ground. The formula from here is still simple, and the title still ours to win or lose.

Under 14 Blue also lost their first league match for the year, going down 3-2 to Southern Raiders Knights. Despite having several key players out injured, the Blues belted the Knights in the first half but just couldn't score, with a nil all half time scoreline being barely believable. In some good news for the Blues, the chasing Westside Scorpions also went down, so the boys retain their 4 point buffer at the top of the table.

Under 14 White played perhaps their best game for the year, with superb ball movement, patience and composure. Most of the game was played in the Colts half, with Rangers 1-0 up at the break, and this really should have been more. The second half was much of the same. The game breaker came in an incident that I'm still a little annoyed about. With 5 minutes to go, a Colts player went down injured, I called for our boys to kick it out, which they tried to do, only to have the Colts swoop on the now loose ball, knock it to a player in what looked like an offside position, then score. Don't worry about the guy in the middle still picking himself up off the ground. A lesson in ethics needed.

Senior girls are improving all the time. They demonstrated more thinking football and less kick and chase, and as a result controlled about 75% of the game. There were some nice switching moves and some good plays involving the back line to keep possession. Occasionally the opposition's quick breaks got through our mid-field and we were caught chasing the ball towards our own goal. Lauren deJong has been  a little quiet all season, but looks to be finding some hunger for an elusive goal and played her best game for the year. They probably should have converted two or three more from their opportunities, but a clean sheet and a 3-nil win was a good outcome for a well played match.

Under 16 Blue defeated an under manned North Launceston in an abominable game of football. With the opportunity to totally dominate possession, Rangers decided they would rather kick lots of goals. They played too direct, with no width, poor off the ball movement, and frequently played panicked football when they had all the time in the world.

Under 16 Red played a game of 2 distinct halves in their win against Launceston United. First half was quite good. Ball movement was good, and reasonably quick, and the defence comfortably killed off most of Launceston's forward thrusts, with fill in goal keeper Tannar Hinds making a couple of classy saves. The second half looked decidedly division 2 from both teams, with Rangers escaping with the points.

Rod

PS: Can all coaches please bring to the attention of all players the following end of season arrangements (I'll have a slip for you to hand out at training):

1. End of season break up coincides with the seniors final league match. NTCA 2.30 kick off on August 20. I'll organise afternoon tea (pizzas and fizzy drinks) for half time in the senior match, outside if fine. Let the gate keeper know, and you get in free.

2. Under 14 Blue will play the Spartans at 5.30 on Thursday the 18th, to enable them to attend the Saturday break up.

3. ALL players need to bring a change of clothes to the final game on 27 August. It would be handy if one parent in each team could collect tops AND shorts. I don't want to be chasing tops after the season finishes.