The Northern Rangers have defeated a gallant Clarence United at Wentworth Park. Early goals from both Nick and Pat Lanau-Atkinson saw the Rangers gain an early lead, before Paul Bremner struck back. The Rangers lead was extended just before the break as Harry Thannhauser gave his side a 3-1 advantage heading into the second half. In the second half it was Clarence who struck first, with Ibrahim Soukary scoring before a second Nick Lanau-Atkinson goal saw his side run out 4-2 winners.

The game started with chances falling to both sides, with the goalkeepers involved heavily, and it was Rangers goalkeeper Sam Whatman who can claim the assist for his sides opening goal. In the 9th minute, Whatman played a long bouncing ball to Nick Lanau-Atkinson and forced Clarence's Matthew Dyson to come off his line. Atkinson managed to win the ball, and struck it into the back of the net to see the Rangers go up 1-0.

It wasn't long after when the Rangers struck again, this time through Pat Lanau-Atkinson. In the 13th minute, Harry Thannhauser applied some great pressure and forced a turn over, which then allowed Lanau-Atkinson to double the visitors lead, leaving the Reds scratching their heads.

Although two goals down, Clarence were not giving up, with Andres Sanchez Caicedo shooting from distance in the 25th minute. This shot came off Sam Whatman's glove and rattled against the crossbar, almost halving the deficit. The chances kept on coming for both sides, with Monticchio and Youd both hitting shots over the bar for the visitors.

With half time not far away Clarence finally hit the back of the net, when in the 43rd minute, Cody Snell passed to Paul Bremner who buried his shot, seeing the score move to 2-1. However, not long after the Rangers struck again. Harry Thannhauser won the ball off a Rangers corner, and made no mistake, putting his side 3-1 up at the break.

As the second half began Clarence almost found a second goal. Paul Bremner hit the ball goalwards in the 47th minute, however Whatman held strong. The Reds continued to push for a second, and in the 57th minute the breakthrough came, with Andres Sanchez Caicedo producing a great run and pass to find Ibrahim Soukary whose shot found the back of the net, seeing the score move to 3-2.

Clarence became an inspired team, looking to get the equaliser, and in the 70th minute Soukary played a teasing ball into the box, however none of his teammates could get to the ball.

Then, for the second time of the game, Nick Lanau-Atkinson got his name on the score sheet, via a Rangers counter attack. As their defence cleared the ball from a corner, no less than four Rangers players ran the length of the pitch, leaving Chris Kannegiesser and Matthew Dyson to deal with the attacking onslaught. However, the numbers difference proved to much, with Nick Lanau-Atkinson scoring his second and doubling the Rangers lead. The Red's continued to fight and a 90th minute freekick almost went in, but it was not to be, with the Rangers running out well deserved 4-2 winners.

Clarence coach Alan Jablonski declined to comment and therefore Jonathan O'Neil fronted the media. O'Neil said his team were optimistic coming into the game and that the result was not what they were after. However, he believed his team can beat Kingborough next week.

Rangers coach Lino Sciulli believed the game could have gone either way, with it being a competitive contest. Sciulli spoke of how it had been a good weekend for the club and that Nick Lanau-Atkinson was finding form.https://youtu.be/tOTWMh_5Fxo

Round 12 of the 2018 NPL TAS sees the Northern Rangers travel up the road to face the Devonport Strikers, 4:30 at Valley Road, in what will be a challenging game against one of the competitions form sides. Meanwhile, Clarence have the opportunity to move level on points with Kingborough in 7th spot as they take on the Lions, Saturday, 6:00pm at the Den.