Seven goals to the good for Northern Rangers have quickly turned the tables on their NPL Tasmania season.
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The Launceston club had conceded nine goals initially in two games amid ordinary back-to-back big defeats.
But Lino Sciulli’s young side returned home on Saturday for the first time in the campaign after four rounds to inflict all-out-attack over a hapless Clarence United.
The 7-1 result was already the second time the Phoenix leaked that many goals that has now added up 22 goals already this year.
Rangers were in no forgiving mood, defying the slogging conditions at the outset.
Simon Lucas set up Harry Thannhauser on the back of a Clarence keeper’s fumble after just fifth minutes.
Rangers talisman Nick Lanau-Atkinson had also put Federico Colaianni Cano in for a second, one of two goals inside nine minutes.
Lanau-Atkinson skipped past the defence for his first during the 41st minute.
Daniel Cristy scored in the 52nd minute after the interval from a free kick outside the box to secure a fourth goal for Rangers.
Clarence showed some resistance just three minutes later when late-inclusion Ali Erican brought the margin back to three goals.
But a penalty in the 58th minute restored the lead when Colaianni stepped up from the spot.
Thannhauser’s second handed Rangers a 6-1 lead off a set piece against a disorganised Clarence defence.
Substitute Lachlan McCallumsmith finished the visitors off with a shot from outside the box to end the win.
But down at the other end of the state, Devonport City have loosened South Hobart’s grip on its title defence.
Joel Stone scored the winner and proved a hero for his side at KGV Park to deliver the Strikers a 2-1 victory.
The 85th-minute goal found its way through a sea of bodies in the 18-yard box to break the late deadlock.
Devonport dangerman Michael Holden combined with perennial scorer Brayden Mann, who ran onto a header and smashed it into the back of the net to give the visitors the first-half lead.
Dan Brown equalised later from a perfectly-weighted header in the 62nd minute for South Hobart.