https://youtu.be/fdFbQylVl4k
The Devonport Strikers have taken a step closer to securing a three-peat and their fourth title in five seasons, as they accounted for Kingborough Lions 3-1 at Valley Road on Saturday. First half goals from Brody Denehey and Joel Stone set up the victory, before Danny Cowen cut the gap with his penalty early in the second half. But any Lions hopes were quickly dashed when Todd Hingston rose to head home a quick response from a corner and secure the win that leaves the Strikers closing in on yet another NPL Tasmania crown.
Selection news saw the Strikers coming into this full strength with the exception of goal machine Miles Barnard who was warming the pine once again. Kingborough on the other-hand were hit with suspensions and unavailabilities from Davis Bryan and Joel Sammut respectively. Lions Coach Jez Kenth also gave Oliver James his NPL debut coming off the bench in the second half after being an unused substitute for the previous two games. It's worth noting that substitute keeper Jake Hayers also got a run in the forward line which is a questionable choice in it's own right but given the numbers on the squad it made sense in the end.
The start of the first half saw the home side come out with all guns blazing with attacking intent and goals in their sights, but Kingborough to their credit adapted to this setting the offside traps which saw the flag raised three times in the opening minutes.
Denehey opened the scoring on the 13th minute mark after getting onto a ball from a Lions defensive error. Denehey strolled past Lions' defender Vincent Turner, nutmegging him and buried it home past keeper Lee Mackie.
Adam McKeown was lucky not to be sent off before half-time after a studs up challenge on Strikers' Gianluca Pizzirani. McKeown did find boot to ball however which was enough for Referee Tony Peart to give him a warning. McKeown's luck eventually ran out in the second half after colliding with Strikers' keeper Nathan Pitchford which resulted in a slice of cheese.
Eddie Bidwell and Denehey combined wonderfully to set up the second. Kieren Mulraney sent in a hopeful cross to Stone. Stone leaped above Lions defender Danny Cowen and headed past the keeper in frantic fashion.
Mackie kept the scores at bay after palming away Bidwell's long range effort which was enough to send Devonport into the break 2-0 at half-time
Strikers' Dominic Smith made a challenge on McKeown in the opening stages of second-half which resulted in the referee pointing to the penalty box. Up stepped Cowen who had Pitchford all worked out going straight down the middle to make the scores 2-1.
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Danny Cowen celebrates his goal with Phil Kantzos. Photo credit : Tanner Coad[/caption]
With the wind in their sails, the Lions really put the pressure on Devonport after this with Keenan Douce and Kenneth Trac working tiredly down the wings.
Hingston put the game to bed shortly after however, getting onto Joel Stone's corner delivery and heading past Mackie once again. Stone was exceptional today controlling the midfield and sending the Lions in all sorts of directions.
The victory means Devonport retain their four point gap over Knights at the top and next week they will face the toughest of their remaining fixtures before their final day clash with the Knights, heading South to take on Olympia. Kingborough will look to regain some form in a night clash against Clarence Zebras at Lightwood Park.
Danny Cowen celebrates his goal with Phil Kantzos. Photo credit : Tanner Coad[/caption]
With the wind in their sails, the Lions really put the pressure on Devonport after this with Keenan Douce and Kenneth Trac working tiredly down the wings.
Hingston put the game to bed shortly after however, getting onto Joel Stone's corner delivery and heading past Mackie once again. Stone was exceptional today controlling the midfield and sending the Lions in all sorts of directions.
The victory means Devonport retain their four point gap over Knights at the top and next week they will face the toughest of their remaining fixtures before their final day clash with the Knights, heading South to take on Olympia. Kingborough will look to regain some form in a night clash against Clarence Zebras at Lightwood Park.