Thursday, July 16, 2009

Somerset and Devonport can close in on Northern leaders Rangers

Second-placed Devonport City can close the gap on Forestry Tasmania Northern Premier League leaders Northern Rangers to just one point if they can beat third-placed Somerset away at Cardigan Street on Saturday.

It will be a huge task, though, especially if Bobby Eaves is on fire for the home side.

Jonathon Lo and Tom Roach return to the Somerset line-up after both players missed last weekend's match and this should strengthen the Sharks.

Devonport were trailing Burnie United 1-0 last weekend when the match was abandoned by the referee in the 54th minute because the pitch had become dangerous.

This frustrating turn of events could affect Devonport psychologically as they go into this needle match against a side that is level with them on 25 points.

Devonport were unable to demonstrate their resilience and ability to come back from being behind and they know they cannot afford to trail against a side of the calibre of Somerset.

It should be a close match and a draw would not surprise.

Northern Rangers have the bye and can only sit and watch and await the outcome, which they hope will be a draw.

Fourth-placed Ulverstone entertain sixth-ranked Riverside Olympic at the Ulverstone Showgrounds on Saturday and must be confident of winning after last weekend’s 3-1 victory away to Prospect Knights.

“We had a great win against Knights last week and hope to continue that form with a win against Riverside on Saturday at the Showgrounds, but we are expecting a very hard game,” said Ulverstone coach, Kim Rigby.

“We were light on last week with regulars John Cornel, Will Cox-Haines and Daniel Bell all missing, along with Jason Singleton, who has just got over a broken wrist to pick up a knee problem playing for his school team.

“It has been one of those seasons for Jason and I doubt he will play again until next year.

“Ben Foote, our stand-out player last week, has had a minor operation on his hand and should be okay to play, but I doubt very much if Will and John will be fit enough to play.

“Riverside have performed very well and beaten us convincingly 3-0 earlier in the season.

“It is a very important game for both sides as both are pushing to finish in the top-four and make the finals, so this will be a true six pointer.”

In other matches on Saturday, seventh-placed Burnie United host fifth-ranked Prospect Knights at Montello, and in a bottom-of-the-table clash at Mitsubishi Park at the later time of 4.30pm, second-last Launceston City entertain last-placed Launceston United.

Prospect Knights may just have the edge over Burnie, although it will not be easy, while Launceston City should be too good for Launceston United.

1 comment:

Gabriel Tams said...

Think you'll find that Rangers would be hoping for a somerset win! (we'll settle with a draw) Somerset played same amount of games as Rangers, 4 points less. If Dev wins both their games in hand, they will be beating Rangers by 2 points coming into the Rangers Vs Dev game!