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Video Highlights.
Northern Rangers faced one of their biggest challenges in the hunt for back to back premierships, coming up against second placed Riverside, who have firmed as a genuine title contender in the last month. The previous encounter this year was a two all draw at Windsor Park in a game where Riverside had the ascendancy for much of the day.
This round 13 clash was a must win to keep the one point gap between Rangers and Devonport at the top of the Forestry Tasmania Northern Premier League, and put a serious dent in the hopes of Riverside. A loss would see Rangers tumble to third spot on the table.
Whitemore was confident pre game, and only had one change forced on him, with the absence of Patty Lanu-Atkinson creating an opportunity for Issa Dumbuya to come back into the senior side. Form and availability saw several other changes with Gabriel Tams returning to the starting line up for Ayden Demeijer, Paul Bremner took his place up front at the expense of Chad Honey and Marshall Pooley back fit, sending Brendan Lichtendonk back to the Reserves in goal.
After over 30 mils of rain during the week, the NTCA centre wicket was as sticky as it could be, but the ground staff had done a sensational job keeping the outfield in top shape considering the conditions.
Both sides created good solid chances in the first half, and goals were the order of the day, due to some poor defending from both sides.
It was Rangers on the score board first when Paul Bremner slammed home a close range loose ball into the net to put Rangers into the lead.
Riverside fought back and were looking dangerous on the break, Mark Christi and Sam Hughes particularly hard for the Ranger back line to contain.
Sam Luck made a sliding tackle on the edge of the 18 yard box, and a free kick was awarded to Riverside, Rangers were in trouble as the overwhelming majority of goals conceded this year have been from dead ball situations, and Riverside continued that record, dispatching the goal direct from the boot of Sam Hughes.
Riverside added a second shortly after and took the lead when Todd Mitchell made the most of a ball in dispute close to goal and tapped in beyond Pooley who could do nothing but dive in the general direction.
To Rangers credit, for the second time in two weeks, the deficit only provided ammo to push forward for the lead, and a clinical final 10 minutes saw Rangers equalise and then go into the lead before half time. First it was Bremner who got onto long shot from Hingston which was spilled to the back post. Then a corner from Derek Schipper was pointed perfectly at Todd Hingston who just like last week leaped higher than his defender and headed home the goal, again at the back post. 3-2 to Rangers at half time.
Whitemore was calm and direct in his half time talk, imploring Rangers to tighten the game up in midfield and close down the quick movements of the Riverside forward line. He also called for calm from the defenders to hold their feet and avoid unnecessary free kicks close to goal.
Rangers were getting close to their best in the second half, with Andrew Nicholson particularly running amuck down the right hand side, and Gabriel Tams running at the Riverside right side from deep, and sending in quality balls.
Nicholson set up both second half goals, firstly setting up Bremner with a cut back from the bye line to Bremner who headed home from the 6 yard box for his Hat trick, then Derek Schipper volleyed home Nicholson’s cut back from 8yards out to complete the 5-2 score line.
Jago could have scored a couple in the second half, but was denied by some good goal keeping.
Coach Adam Whitemore said after the game,
“Another Excellent win. First half of the game was too open and we didn’t have nearly enough pressure on the ball. When we had it, it moved a little too slowly. We again showed exceptional character and on confidence when we went behind.
After the break we tightened up and passed the ball brilliantly. We focused on isolating their left back and Tams and Nicholson caused chaos, with Nicholson setting up both second half goals.
Both forward were excellent and the midfield dominate.
Derek was back to his masterful best.
The score line could have been 8 or 9, against the team in second place, who are a very good side.
Great effort.”
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Under 18 Report - Here
Women's Report - Here |
