https://youtu.be/CpfoEOV4UzU
The Devonport Strikers avenged their Lakoseljac Cup defeat to Launceston City as they reversed the scoreline from two weeks earlier and claimed a 2-1 win in what was a spiteful affair at Buckby Landrover Park. In a game with plenty of feeling, it was a pair of unlikely goal scorers who secured the win for the defending Champions as Connor Parke opened the scoring with a fine diving header before Kieran Mulraney doubled the lead just before half time. A late strike from Samuel Ridgard gave a 10 man City side some late hope, but it would prove to be just a consolation marker as the Strikers made it 2 wins from 2 games in an ideal start to their title defence.
Speaking post game to Rob Shaw of the Examiner, Coach Roger Hardwicke said he would draw positives from the game but rued their sluggish start.
Chris Gallo told Brad Cole of the Advocate he felt his side was progressing nicely
Having struggled to break down City a fortnight earlier, the Strikers wasted no time this week, as full back Connor Parke latched onto an Eddie Bidwell cross with a superb diving header after just three minutes of game time.
It set the tone for a first half that the Strikers controlled and they threatened to extend their lead, with Joel Stone coming close with a shy from range and several other chances went begging.
But heading towards the half time break, up stepped their inspirational captain Kieran Mulraney, who rose to head home a free kick from Joel Stone and double the visitors lead at the break.
For the second week in a row City were faced with a big hole to climb out of in the second half, and that task was made all the more difficult following Rob Gerrard's dismissal for a second yellow card on the hour mark.
Despite being down to 10, City kept at the task and eventually pulled one back through their Captain and fast becoming Star man, Samuel Ridgard. The Englishmen pounced on a poor pass from Charles Bidwell, got past Mulraney then fired home to cut the lead to 2-1 after 83 minutes.
Tthe Strikers passed up the chance to ice the game when Miles Barnard inexplicably hit the post from all of a yard out but it mattered not, as the Strikers held firm to win 2-1.
"We were slow out the gate and it cost us but I still felt even with 10 players we were the better side for the last 30 minutes.
"But there were plenty of positives with our attitude and belief despite the adversity and we still came close to getting something out of it. But we should never have got ourselves in that position in the first place."
"It was another good step forward for us and I think our performances have got better week by week and training session by training session."
"When you look at what happened last time we were up here we looked down and out, but no one realised that it was just our second game together."
The Strikers will take on Olympia at Valley Road in round 3 action, whilst City will prepare for the Derby against cross town rivals Riverside.