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Northern Rangers launched themselves into their maiden State Side Championship Final with a 1-0 win over Burnie United in wet and sloppy conditions at the NTCA.

Steady rain had fallen all day and most of the early morning, meaning the ground was well and truly soaked.

Burnie had selection problems of their own after a run of results, missing this week was Geremy deBomford, Sam Cocks and Ashton Johnston.

Rangers replaced keepers this week as Marshall Pooley was available to retake his spot, other than this, there were no other changes.

From the opening whistle, Burnie looked the stronger of the two, attacking Rangers well and building to good opportunities, Chris Smith and Mark Ambrose both looking creative and dangerous, but as has been the case of late, Tams, Tuma, Luck and Demeijer were in control.

Rangers eventually regained control and started to look at their creative best, Nicholson was running a muck down the right, but the puddles were halting his run time and time again, in fact the large pools of water were preventing the Rangers from dominating play, good runs were being made but the ball would plug, making it impossible to turn and difficult to make an effective run with the ball at feet.

With 15 minutes to play of the half, Rangers had the upper hand but couldn’t get the ball over the line.

Things were brought to a pause for half time at 0-0.

Rangers started the half with brilliance, a series of passes from kick off saw Rangers go ahead without Burnie touching the ball in the second half, Jago was eventually put through, he managed to hold the ball up then cut the ball across the box to the waiting Nicholson who sent the ball into the net for 1-0.

As the game went on, Rangers fitness began to show and the frustration got the better of Burnie as Kamon Johnston was sent off with 20 minutes to play after a second yellow for dessent.

Derek Schipper who was having a fine game had a long shot denied by a great diving save from the keeper as did Todd Hingston but try as they might, the 1 goal lead was all that was needed to win the game and send Rangers into the final.

The Final will be played next week against South Hobart after they scored a late winner to defeat Devonport 1-0.

The Game will be played in Hobart next week at KGV in Glenorchy, the kick off time is to be confirmed and will be on the website as soon as we know, but we anticipate either 2pm or 4pm kick off.  We again urge all our supporters to come and join the Ranger Army and cheer the boys home in our quest for the Tasmanian State Championship.  If you want more information, feel free to send us a note from the contacts page and use the enquiry form.

Adam Whitemore's Comments - "A really good performance given the appalling conditions. Apart from the first 15 minutes we were comfortable and controlled the game. Our use of the ball was excellent and had conditions been better I think we would have won by a greater margin.

Our movement up front was impressive, Bremner superb. Defensively we were very solid and only gave them a handful of half chances. Ambose was a threat for them, but missed the support of Sam Cocks. I felt our midfield was dominant, and Hingston and Schipper showed their quality on the ball.

The two goals at the start of the season were to retain the league, and to win the state title. South Hobart are a very good side who beat us fairly comfortably in the statewide cup, in a game in which we didn't do ourselves justice. Since then we have targetted another crack at them, and are excited to have that opportunity. We won't be satisfied just to make the final though."