With the 4:30 kick off time at home in the NTCA, Rangers already knew what was required this week to stay on top, as Devonport had beaten Prospect Knights 1-0 at Harley Parade.  But it surely didn’t change the way Rangers were to go about their game.

Patty Lanu-Atkinson kept his spot in the seniors, albeit on the bench after a great game against Burnie last week.  It would prove a good move as Derek Schipper was injured after just half an hour of play.

After a sluggish start, Ulverstone were the first to score when Braydon Mann hit a cracking shot from a direct free kick just out side the 18 yard box, Mann struck the shot over the wall and into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead to the visitors.

Rangers have come from behind plenty of times this year, and sometimes conceding is just what the side needs to kick into gear.

Several great build ups followed for Rangers following the Ulverstone goal, the best a run from the back line from Declan Cuschieri who placed a brilliant cross/through ball to Stefan Jago, his shot parried away and eventually saved.

It was Andrew Nicholson who opened Rangers account when his shot from distance cannoned into the cross bar and down over the line to put Rangers back level.  Ulverstone protested the goal, but didn’t have the same luck as the Germans in the world cup, and the goal stood. 1-1.

The half time break came with the scores locked together but Rangers came out firing in the second half, breaking Ulverstone down inside the first 3 minutes of the half….twice.  First Nicholson broke down the wing to score and then Patty Lanu-Atkinson proved age is no barrier, nor is size when playing senior football, scoring his second senior goal in as many weeks.

Rangers seemed to sit back on the lead, and became complacent, Mann was looking dangerous upfront for Ulverstone, and Rangers conceded several free kicks in dangerous areas.  With Rangers track record for defending set pieces this year, this would be of some concern to Whitemore in the dugouts.

Rangers however defended well, but one felt they needed to keep Ulverstone off the score board for the remainder of the game to keep it safe, Ulverstone have had some gutsy come from behind wins this year, and a two goal buffer would not be a deterrent in looking for the win.  One goal could quiet easily be turned into the equaliser on Ulverstone’s past record.

Rangers continued to push Ulverstone at the other end, Lanu-Atkinson and Jago’s pace causing headaches for the back four, but it was Nicholson who completed the score line with a fine goal in the last minutes, securing his first senior hat-trick and capping off a fine performance for both himself and the team.

The one point buffer at the top of the table intact for another week, heaping more pressure on Devonport as the season draws to a close.

Rangers can look forward to a well earned week off as the premier league takes a break for the state wide cup competition and Rangers will return in two weeks to do battle with Launceston City at Prospect.

Coach Adam Whitemore said after the game.

“We started fairly slowly and gave them too much time on the ball. Having gone behind (yet another direct free kick) we responded brilliantly to level by half time.

We spoke about remaining calm and picking up the tempo and did exactly that. After going 3-1 up so early in the second half we became a little conservative and gave away too much possession by being a little direct. This allowed them to put us under a bit of pressure. The back 4 were excellent though and looked comfortable. Nicholson was again brilliant, among a lot of good performances. Our mental strength and self belief are incredible.”