Northern Rangers kicked their first balls for 2012, going up against Launceston City in the Mies Family Cup, a competition that gives the clubs a chance to see where they are at in the early stages of preseason with 50 minute matches.

Northern Rangers went in with some injury concerns to the match against Clarence in the Quarter Final of the State Wide Championship, but still confident that they could win.  Clarence were at full strength and Andrew Brown said prior to the match that there were no excuses today.

The wind was howling but the ground was in fine condition and all looked forward to a tight game.

Clarence kicked with the breeze first up and put pressure on the Rangers with the use of it, but Rangers looked dangerous on the counter, and made many chances this way. 

Chris Hunt was looking particular hungry to score against his old team and was covering a lot of ground, but school boy errors were causing Rangers to uncharacteristically turn over possession throughout midfield.

Clarence scored a chance goal when the defense failed to clear a loose ball in the 18 yard box and delicate shot sailed with the wind into net to put Clarence ahead, a classic example of a good side taking the small chances that come their way.

Ranger looked to score and go into half time at even, but couldn’t create the goal from some good chances.

Second half and Rangers started to take some control of midfield.  Jago received a great chance just inside 18 yard but the shot was straight at the keepers chest.

At the other end Clarence took a short corner, the shot was sent in and Dumbuya put a foot in front a ball Pooley in goals had called for and the deflection ended up in the net from a soft shot that should never have registered the attention of the highlights real.

As Ranges then chased the game to try and get back into things, Clarence were able to open the back line up and threatened to score more goals.

Another unfortunate event as Declan Cuschieri flicked the ball up onto hand with no intent and little advantage but Chris Parr quickly blew his whistle for a penalty which was converted and Rangers were 3-0 down.

The side never gave and continued to push and Chris Hunt scored with a strong drive that the keeper could only parry into the goal.

Northern Rangers have missed out on their third straight Northern Premier League title on goal difference to Prospect Knights, despite winning their final match against Ulverstone 2-0.  The Club has finished the 2011 season level on points with Prospect Knights, but the Knights secured the title thanks to a 7 goal buffer in the goal difference column.

For Rangers to be assured of the title, Devonport needed at least to draw with Prospect, while Rangers had to secure a win against Ulverstone.  The club did everything they could, but the destiny was ultimately in the lap of the football gods, and Prospect won a tight tussle at Harley Parade.

This over shadows some other club milestones that included setting a few new club records.  The highest amount of points in a season was secured with 40, 1 point up on last year, and setting a club record for consecutive league wins, out to eight at the moment, and looking forward to building on that in 2012.

To the Rangers match with Ulverstone, Adam Whitemore and Tony Ludby had some shuffling to do with Scott Murray out for the rest of the season as he prepares for his academy time in the UK, Jago was back to fitness though, but unfortunately after a promising return from injury, Mark Ambrose was back on the injury list.

Patty Lanau-Atkinson dropped into midfield to cover Murray while Jago replaced Lanau-Atkinson upfront.

Football Federation are making a habit of rostering big games between Devonport and Northern Rangers at the business end of the season, three years running now and 2011 was almost as big as 2009 when the club secured its maiden premiership in their last match of the year.

The equation this year was pretty simple, win and stay in the race, lose or draw and drop out.  For Devonport, a draw would have been acceptable, but a win preferable, Devonport’s superior goal difference and the fact they play both challenges in the race in the last two games in Rangers then Knights, had them in the best seat going into the second last round, and probably took the favourites tick going into the match. 

Across town Prospect Knights played Launceston City, and the assumption was that Knights would win easily, and they did, toppling Launceston City 4-0.

Rangers were at full strength for the first time this year, the only exception Stefan Jago running in the reserves as his groin is still far from perfect.  Devonport also had a full list to pick from so the stage was set for a big match.