DEVONPORT STRIKERS V’s LAUNCESTON CITY

Senior match report – Mitsubishi Park, Launceston

Saturday June 11, 2011

The boys were away from home again on the weekend coming up against Launceston City at Mitsubishi Park. On arrival at the ground the first thing everyone noticed was that the dimensions of the ground had been reduced dramatically. It would now be easily the shortest ground in the league.

From the opening whistle, the Strikers were dominating possession & looking confident, while not creating many scoring opportunities. The best chance, in the early stages, saw Robert Macdonald weave his way past a couple of defenders before crossing to the far post. Kieran Mulraney was in good position to put the ball away but he somehow managed to miss the target from right near the goal line.

The referee was forced to award the Strikers several free kicks for late tackles & it was from one of these free kicks at the 30 minute mark that the opening goal was scored. Bradley Chilcott was fouled 25 yards out from goal & Chris McKenna scored from the resultant free kick when he curled the ball around the wall past the wrong footed City keeper.

Both teams were only able to muster a few half chances for the remainder of the half & neither managed to trouble the scorer.

After the half time break, it was more of the same when the Strikers were having the bulk of possession with City only looking dangerous from corners & free kicks. From one of these free kicks, Ryan Keep made a superb save when he dived at full stretch to keep the ball out after it made it through a packed 18 yard box leaving him unsighted until late.

The Strikers doubled the lead after 70 minutes when Mulraney atoned for his earlier miss by heading in a well directed corner from Jordan Douce. This was a thoroughly deserved goal for the team & just reward for their efforts.

Several more heavy challenges in the last 20 minutes gave the Strikers plenty of opportunity to keep City under pressure but they were unable to extend the lead. This left the full time score at 2-0.

There were some pleasing signs for the Strikers with Nathan Gratton in superb form with easily his best performance of the season. The continued good form of Kamil Douglas at left back is another aspect that Tom McGinn will be pleased with.

The boys are away again this weekend, this time against Somerset Sharks before the Statewide Cup Quarter Final against Glenorchy Knights at Valley Road the following week.