LAUNCESTON teams made two big statements of intent in the Women's Northern Championship on Saturday.
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While NORTHERN RANGERS' scoreline was the most eye-catching, LAUNCESTON UNITED's result raised just as many eyebrows.
A 3-1 win over highly-fancied Devonport Strikers at Valley Road delighted coach Cameron Heazlewood.
"The girls had a game plan and they stuck to it," he said.
"To win against the team that is expected to win the league is no small order. We played the best game we have all season."
Jess Robinson slotted a penalty and after Devonport had equalised, Abigail Thomas restored United's lead before Amy Littlechild marked her debut with a 20-yard screamer.
"We have a tough game against Riverside coming up but I'm excited for the challenge," Heazlewood added.
Rangers showed no mercy with a 9-0 thumping of Ulverstone at the NTCA Ground.
Abbie Chugg bagged four while Febey Pearce and Jess Loft claimed a brace each and Lilyana Juraimi completed the rout.
A 1-1 draw between LAUNCESTON CITY and RIVERSIDE appeared to keep everyone happy.
"They are one of the better sides in the comp so that's a really good point," said City coach Barry Baker.
"The girls played well and it was a good team effort. We've won one, drawn one and lost one from the first three and we're happy with how we're going."
Lauren Wynder gave City a first-half lead but Sabrina Hopewell levelled after the break as wind caused plenty of problems at Prospect Park.
Olympic coach Jo Haezebrouck said his side should have done more with its second-half possession but a point was a good return.
"At the end of the day I'm a very happy coach," said the Belgian who added that attacking midfielder Maddie Davies was his team's best on ground.
Burnie United managed to trump Rangers' goal-scoring efforts with an 11-0 win at Somerset.
In the men's competition, a superb solo winner from Will Fleming saw LAUNCESTON CITY edge a five-goal thriller against RIVERSIDE.
Will Coert's pace and poise put the visitors ahead but a first-half double from Isaac Degetto and Fleming's stunner ensured City's win despite Rhys Kinslow curling in a delightful late free-kick.
Player-coach Dan Smith brought some creative industry and a Milton Keynes accent to City's midfield.
"A great reaction from our guys after a heavy loss last week," he said.
"We showed great spirit and courage and were ruthless in front of goal, especially when Will made up for his first-half miss."
Olympic coach Wayne Penfold responded: "We switched off when they scored two goals and it cost us.
"The intensity we showed at 3-1 down we should have shown for the whole game and we need to rectify that."
Valley Road witnessed a goal-feast as Devonport Strikers and LAUNCESTON UNITED drew 4-4.
Will Rodman, Christian Byard, an Aidan Rigby penalty and an own goal earned Glenn Reading's men a share of the points.
"The boys put in a magnificent effort," Reading said.
"We were 2-0 down going into half-time and later 4-3 down but showed a lot of character."
A double from Wes Chugg saw NORTHERN RANGERS secure a 2-2 draw with Ulverstone at the NTCA Ground.
Somerset beat Burnie United 2-0 in the North-West derby at Cardigan Street.