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| Brayden Mann for Devonport passes Ricky Self. |
Devonport must have learnt two things from their first game in the Victory League, no matter how poorly you start, there is plenty of time in a game to fix it, and be clinical in front of goal and you should win the game.
Devonport were average in the opening half, and lucky not to be 3 down at the interval. The Strikers were simply struggling to string 3 passes together, and no doubt nerves contributed to that early in the game, while Zebras pinged the football around like it was on a string, hitting their targets with well weighted passing and precision.
It was an early goal to Lesczynski that opened the scoring early in the game, and it looked like Zebras were going to run away with it. But apart from knock the ball around well, Zebras only other consistency was being wasteful in front of goal.
Lesczynski, Clamp and McKeown missed relatively easy opportunities in the first half, while Devonport were largely kept outside of the 18 yard box.
In the second half Devonport were in a far better frame of mind, and equalised through Brayden Mann, who set off to celebrate with the loan corner flag in the bottom corner of the ground waiting for his team mates to join him!
Zebras replied almost straight away, again through Lesczynski and one felt that that might just be the sucker punch needed to put Strikers back in their box, but nothing could be further from the truth.
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| Ben Foote controls the ball for Devonport |
Bobbie Eaves made the most of some space on the edge of the box, and poked a low drive away into the bottom corner to restore the level score line, before Mann grabbed the lead for Devonport and they never looked back.
A goal to Daniel McGinn and a late charge up field from the centre back Mulraney (who won’t stop scoring if McKenna puts him in goals) resulted in a FIFA like goal with a diving header that McKenna himself would have been proud to have scored.
Devonport didn’t fluke the win as some southerners might suggest, they simply showed more grit and determination. With no disrespected intended to Devonport, the score line flattered them somewhat, as on another day against another opponent, it could have been very different, but a fine start to the campaign none the less, and a massive well done to the Strikers.
Rangers had the chance to rekindle the rivalry with City from day dot, and it could have started the same way the game did in round 17 of the NPL 2012 season, first few touches for Rangers ended up gifting possession to Bin Sumadia from City, who squared to the advancing midfielder but the shot was wide and Rangers breathed a sigh of relief.
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| Luke Tuma cleans up bin Sumadai from Launceston City. |
It was a bad day for City on the park, made worse by injury, already without Irish mid fielder Leonard, City lost D’Zefery Bart in the opening minutes to a serious knee injury, his replacement Will Egan was later a victim to the same fate and taken to hospital.
Rangers didn’t look too impressive in the opening 20 minutes, again nerves may have had something to do with it, but the ball speed was slow, and against a stronger opponent might have been in trouble early.
Rangers did open the scoring though when Nick Lanau-Atkinson’s corner sailed directly in.
Rangers thought they were 2-0 up shortly after when Tams in his 200th game volleyed from a corner, however he was adjudged to be off side.
Rangers did get to 2-0 however, after Patty Lanau-Atkinson sent in a fine free kick which was headed home by Shane Brassington.
Shortly before half time Agele Luate made some space for himself with some nimble foot work and finished a neat shot to put Rangers 3-0 up at half time.
City had barely caused Pooley to raise his heart beat in the first half outside of their good early pressure from kick off.
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| "A rare sight" Rangers coach Peter Savill talks to the press |
The second half and the game dropped off considerably, though late in the game Patty Lanau Atkinson got into a one on one position and finished well.
Todd Hingston set Shane Brassington up for the fifth goal, the pacey striker running onto Hingston’s ball and netting for a brace in his first season proper appearance for the club.
5-0 the end result, Rangers will need to play better against all other opposition though, and City will need to find some form...quickly.
Olympia had a effortless 5-1 win over Kingborough on the weekend also, in front of another good crowd, while the big news came from Darcy street.
South Hobart dropping their first points in round 1 against a far less (if at all fancied) Glenorchy Knights.
Glenorchy defended resolutely and were patient and well disciplined, while South were wasteful in front of goal and far less disciplined to that what we have come to expect.
South took the lead through Chris Hunt who tapped in at the far post and lead at half time by that margin.
Wing back David for Knights equalised early in the second half before Marney from Knights surprised all and put them in front.
South responded to level the scores through Cam Williams before Knights again hit the front late on with another tap in, this time from Marshall to restore the lead.
Then Cam Williams was sent off and South had all the work to do with 10 men, but somehow managed a late equaliser through some individual skill from Kanakaris.
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| ROUND ONE LADDER |
Team
|
Pld
|
Won
|
Draw
|
Lost
|
+
|
-
|
Pts
|
Northern Rangers
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
5
|
0
|
3
|
Olympia Warriors
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
5
|
1
|
3
|
Devonport Strikers
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
5
|
2
|
3
|
Glenorchy Knights
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
3
|
3
|
1
|
South Hobart
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
3
|
3
|
1
|
Tilford Zebras
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
5
|
0
|
Kingbrough Lions
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
5
|
0
|
Launceston City
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
5
|
0
|
