THE Northern Championship title is well and truly wide open with just four matches remaining.
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Somerset have leapfrogged Launceston City into top spot following a 4-2 win over Launceston United on Saturday to now set up a first-versus-second title showdown next weekend.
Sam Hamilton, Chris Smith, Brody Best and Casey Eaves all scored for Somerset, while Daniel Lewis and Christopher Budgeon hit the back of the net for United at Cardigan Street.
Despite four matches remaining and United just five points in arrears, coach Robert Murray said his side’s chances of glory seem slim.
“We were just too slow moving the ball on Saturday,” Murray said. “I think that has done us now, any chance we had of being responsible for our own destiny is now gone.”
An injury-depleted LAUNCESTON CITY fell 2-1 to Devonport at Mitsubishi Park in their quest to stay alive in the championship.
It was a double from Strikers’ goal-sneak Lindsay Millington that sunk City on their home soil, while Benjamin Brookfield tried to create the unlikely with 10 minutes to spare.
City are without front-half firepower Noah Mies and Nathan Bartlett but coach Roger Mies said this Saturday against Somerset was a “must-win” home encounter.
“There’s four games to go and we have to win all four of those to win the league – it’s pretty much as simple as that,” he said.
Mies said there were a few areas his outfit needed to improve on heading into the crucial battle.
“Our work in the front four was very poor (on Saturday), so we need to work on creating more chances and when we create the, convert them,” he said.
In other results, Burnie defeated Northern Rangers 2-1 and Riverside fell to Ulverstone 1-nil at Windsor Park.
NEXT WEEK
- Launceston United (4th) v Ulverstone (5th)
- Launceston City (2nd) v Somerset (1st)
- Riverside (6th) v Northern Rangers (7th)
- Devonport (3rd) v Burnie (8th)
TITLE LEADERS
We have to win all four of those to win the league – it’s pretty much as simple as that.
- Roger Mies
- Somerset: 35pts; +25 GD
- L’ton City: 34pts; +23 GD
- Devonport: 33pts; +23 GD
- L’ton United: 30pts; +3 GD