Lions mauled by Rangers

Photo:  Rangers' Todd Hingston (left) wins the ball from Kingborough's Jack Turner [PlessPix]

Sixth-placed Kingborough Lions United were no match for fourth-ranked visitors Northern Rangers and succumbed 8-0 to the Launcestonians.

Both sides came into this game with two straight losses, but no-one thought it would be a near repeat of the last time the sides met, when Rangers won 7-1.

Date:  28 June 2014

Result:  Kingborough Lions United 0-8 Northern Rangers

Scorers

Northern Rangers:

·        Brassington 2, 25, 35, 89

·        Rigby 18, 20, 79

·        McCarragher 52

Venue:  Lightwood Park

Attendance:  100

Match Overview:  The writing was on the wall for the Lions when Brassington headed Rangers’ opener after just 2 minutes.  When Brassington struck a post in the 6th minute, the Lions were definitely in trouble.  Two goals by Rigby within two minutes of each and two goals by Brassington to complete his hat-trick before the interval put the Lions 5-0 down and with no way of coming back.  McCarragher added Rangers’ sixth within 7 minutes of the restart, while Rigby and Brassington scored again before the end to complete the rout.  The Lions came close to the mark on three occasions, but most of their efforts were way off target.  When they finally did get the ball in the net in the dying moments, it was ruled off-side.  It was the only time they were off-side all game.

Key Moment:  Rangers’ drive and determination was clearly evident in the 25th minute when fullback Tenzing Anderson fired in a tremendous shot from range that Gillam could only parry.  Brassington was there to hammer home the loose ball and make it 4-0.  That said it all about the two teams and there was clearly no way back for a demoralised Lions outfit.

Man-of-the-Match:  Brassington, with a four-goal haul, but closely followed by Rigby, who netted a hat-trick at centre-forward and who might have had a couple more.

Matter of fact:  Rangers have now put 15 goals past the Lions in their two meetings this year.  This latest result was a clear signal that Rangers want to finish in the top four.  The Lions have now suffered three defeats in a row and alarm bells must surely be ringing in their camp as their famous roar becomes a meow.

Talking point:  Why was young goalkeeper Roan Gillam risked when he was injured (‘corkie’) earlier in the week at training?  He was taken off after 33 minutes with his side trailing 4-0 and the substitution was put down to a quadriceps injury.

Stats:

Goal attempts

Kingborough Lions United 13

Northern Rangers 24

On target

Kingborough Lions United 3

Northern Rangers        17

Corners

Kingborough Lions United 1

Northern Rangers 3

Fouls

Kingborough Lions United 10

Northern Rangers 13

Off-sides

Kingborough Lions United 1

Northern Rangers 9

Line-ups:

Kingborough Lions United:

1  Gillam (21  Coleman 33)

19  W Davis

5  Cuthbertson

14  Pearce

16  D Watkins

15  Collins (3  David 46)

18  Turner

8  Verwoud

17  Young

7  Cowen

10  B Watkins (13  Bilson 75)

Northern Rangers:

1  Pooley (21 McKenna 83)

17  Dent

8  McCarragher

2  Demeijer

16  Anderson

9  Thannhauser

13  Hingston

14  Towns

3  P Lanau-Atkinson

5  Rigby

11  Brassington

Yellow cards:

Kingborough Lions United:

Cuthbertson 51

Northern Rangers:

Dent 50

Referee:  Mr Craig Phillips

Pitchford resigns as Lions coach

Photo:  Stephen Pitchford [PlessPix]

Stephen Pitchford has resigned as Victory League coach of Kingboreough Lions United.

The Lions lost 8-0 on Saturday at home at Lightwood Park against Northern Rangers.

They are currently sixth on the Victory League standings and lost 6-0 the previous weekend to league-leaders South Hobart.

Kingborough Lions United released the following statement this evening:

“Kingborough Lions United FC would like to announce that after the weekend’s game against Northern Rangers, Head Coach Stephen Pitchford tendered his resignation.

“The club would like to thank Stephen and his assistant Dirk Gadd for the work that they have done with the KLUFC Victory League team over the course of the season.

“Stephen has stated that upcoming work commitments were going to make it very difficult for him to give the role the time that it required for the remainder of the season.

“The KLUFC committee has had to work quickly to fill this position with minimal disruption to the Victory League squad.

“Recognising the NPL requirements for candidates needing C-Licence accreditation, the Club is pleased to announce that it has appointed Colin Robbins to the role of interim Head Coach for the remainder of the 2014 season.

“Colin is an aspiring football coach who has progressed through the Club’s youth ranks, working with the Club's VDL team this season and possessing a good working relationship with players in the VL squad.

“Colin has been integral in establishing the Club’s successful Young Lions SAP program, injury management program, and mentoring the implementation of the National Curriculum with the Club's youth and junior coaches.

“The club sees this as an exciting opportunity for Colin to progress his coaching experience by testing himself at the highest level with the support of seasoned Senior Coach Tim Dale as assistant.

“Geoff Freeman, who has extensive coaching experience at the Club, will take up the vacated VDL role assisted by Ross Hinkley.

“Martin Dunnington will continue in his role of U20 coach in the Club's High Performance program.”

Krambousanos resigns as Taroona coach

 Photo:  George Krambousanos...ill health spells end of his tenure at Taroona [PlessPix]

George Krambousanos has resigned as coach of Southern Premier League club Taroona FC because of health reasons.

Taroona are currently fourth in the six-team competition.

The club said the decision was made with regret, but it was felt that for the benefit of the team and George himself, that the decision had to be made.

Taroona president, Geoff Atkinson, said:  “George has been very unwell for the last six or so weeks, to the extent that he has not been able to take training nor attend games.

“Two of our senior players, Llewyn Tubb and Hugo Luttmer, have been taking training, with our technical director, Richard Bennett, acting as game-day coach.

“This is obviously not the ideal situation, but I am confident that our players will continue to give their all to the team.

“The work that was undertaken by George proved invaluable in player development and is greatly appreciated by the club.

“George will retain his links with the club and we all wish him a speedy recovery.”