Reigning Premiers and league leaders Northern Rangers, went to their next door rivals, and bottom of the table, Launceston United for the top Vs bottom clash at Birch Avenue.  Adam Whitemore was looking for a record score line from the Northern Rangers senior outfit but would be surprised by the resistance thrown up by the young United team.

Gabriel Tams and Issa Dumbuya felt the force of Whitemore’s determination to not let complacency into the group, and started in reserves for this week after disappointing training efforts during the two week break.  In came young and exciting prospect, 15 year old Patty Lanu-Atkinson for his first senior start, along with the return of Ayden Demeijer at right back.  Marshall Pooley took a week off also, bringing Brendan Lichtendonk back into the goals for this clash, while Chad Honey got a chance up front with the absence of Paul Bremner, so all in all, it was a very different looking senior line up.

Launceston started with a determined attitude and pushed Rangers early, a lack of intensity visible in the early stages from Rangers.  Launceston had early chances, a turn over and one on one shot from midfield looked goal bound, but a finger tip save was enough to keep the ball out of the net, but Launceston opened the scoring five minutes later, when a lose ball was gathered on the edge of the 18 yard box and dispatched to give Launceston the lead.

Rangers rallied to get the goal back.  Strong runs from the right hand side, looking the best hope as Demeijer and Nicholson combined well, Nicholson’s crosses and cut backs were in vein though, as neither Chad Honey nor Stefan Jago in position to make the shot.  Hingston and Schipper were both quiet in midfield and this clapped up much of Rangers midfield drive.  There were chances a plenty, but the boggy goal mouth Rangers were shooting at, made it difficult to get effective shots away.

The half time talk was calm considering the 1-0 deficit, Whitemore confident in the sides ability to get back into the match.  This didn’t take long as Rangers went on the offensive straight from the whistle.  Jago sent through perfectly and he slammed his chance in from close range to put Rangers back on level terms after 10 minutes in the second half.

Nicholson was getting plenty of attention from his defenders, tapped time and time again, and referee Chris Parr let the play go on, until he was collected from behind in the penalty area and was awarded a penalty, Hingston stepped up to convert the spot kick and put Rangers into the lead 2-1.

Rangers had a purple patch from here with a fine finish from Patty Lanu-Atkinson after the young Launceston keeper, Simon Lucas, made a good save, but Lanu-Atkinson was waiting top tap home from close range, then a great headed goal from Hingston at the far post from a corner was headed home perfectly, the back post marker getting something on it, but only helping the ball into the net in the end.

The Ranger defense was under little pressure in the second half, and managed to keep Launceston at bay for the 45 minutes.  4-1 the final score line, not the score board result some had expected, but this Launceston side showed some great resistance, and good promise for years to come, if they can just keep the group together into the future years.

Whitemore said after the game – “impressed that we kept calm and composed in the second half. We upped the tempo and moved the ball much better. We stayed disciplined and spread the ball really well.

Credit to United, they gave it everything and had some really good young players. Their results should get better.

Excellent debut from Patty (Lanu-Atkinson), while Nicholson and Demeijer combined well down the right.

I think I'm at fault for our slow start. I didn't quite get training right (this week), or the warm up. We will certainly need to be up for it this week. At the same time I know that none of the players will need motivation for such a big game.”

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