DEVONPORT STRIKERS V’s RIVERSIDE OLYMPIC
Reserves match report
Saturday May 14, 2011

This week saw Devonport face Riverside at Windsor Park in one of the more anticipated matches of the round. Riverside have shown much improvement since last season and looked to challenge Devonport on their home ground.

The match started well with Devonport scoring early through a well-placed strike from Kurt Howard in the opening 10 minutes. This effort was matched soon after by Casimir Douglas giving the Strikers a 2-0 lead. It seemed that Devonport would fall into their same old rut of giving up after getting the early lead as the final 25 minutes of the half left was not the standard of football the side would expect from itself.

The second half was a completely different affair as Devonport came out firing. Four more goals were added in the half through Kurt Howard (2), Connor Lizotte and Grant Ashdown. The second half performance could have been arguably the most impressive of The Strikers season due to some excellent passing, solid defence and the ability to hold on to possession. Josh Gleeson and Simon Wilson were the key in the centre of defence, while Jesse Curran was excellent as usual in controlling the game through the central midfield position. Grant Ashdown provided great width wide and proved a valuable resource in attack. Casimir Douglas was again an asset up front with his work ethic second to none. Kurt Howard was the go to man this match bagging himself a nice hat-trick.

The performance should give the boys confidence heading into their next game at home to title challengers Northern Rangers.