The Strikers under 18′s were hosted by the Northern Rangers at the NTCA ground in Launceston. Heading into the game, Devonport were sitting around the top of the ladder after an impressive unbeaten streak, but were confronted with tough opposition in the form of the Rangers.

When the game kicked off, it became apparent that the wind would play a major part in the creation of goals and would help attacking plays towards the southern end of the ground. Devonport were forced to head into the fierce wind in the first half. Despite this, the Strikers kept the ball mostly on the ground and had more than enough pace to recover the ball whenever it was lofted or turned loose. Before the end of the half, Reagan Murray crossed the ball to Jack Dance, who directed header into the net for the opening goal.

All things considered, the first half was a fairly impressive performance from Devonport, who headed into the sheds one goal up and no goals conceded.

The second half began with the wind now in our favour. Most of the second half was hotly contested with goals from both sides not coming. However, Rangers started to lose their focus and Strikers took advantage of it. Zach Butler came on late in the game and scored a well-placed goal from outside the box. This was a turning point in the match, with quick goals from Luke Nicholas and Jordan Mansour suddenly boosting the Strikers’ tally to 4 for the day. During this period of time, Rangers managed to pull one back between Devonport’s impressive attacking displays.

The final score: 4–1.

This marked another victory to Devonport, emerging as deserved winners and cementing their place on the top of ladder for the Northern under 18′s Division. Much has been said about the new style of play implemented in this year’s team, and so far it has payed off, reflected in the position we find ourselves in. It is encouraging to see a definite level of consistency in the young Strikers’ game, which will prove important all throughout our ambitious season.

Goal scorers: Jack Dance, Zach Butler, Jordan Mansour, Luke Nicholas.

Report by Jake Twamley and Matthew Griffiths

The Devonport Strikers entered this fixture fresh from a rest last weekend. This meant that Devonport had a near-full squad to select from. Coaches Chris McKenna and Darren Chilcott would be pleased with the headaches being created at the selection table with strong performances across the park from all players in both the seniors and reserves. Despite some excellent form from Connor Lizotte and the availability of Irishman Joe Toner, there were no changes to the victorious starting eleven that took the park against Northern Rangers a fortnight ago. This also meant that playing-coach and talisman Chris McKenna was unable to force his way into the team.

Somerset were struggling with numbers and were forced to field a few players that had just played in the reserves. However, they still had some experienced players as well as a few promising young players which meant that the Strikers were not going to take this match lightly. The boys were eager to perform well against Somerset who, against the odds, defeated Devonport at Valley Road 4-1 last season.

The Strikers asserted their dominance early on in the match, pressing Somerset into defending deep. Devonport had a lot of early possession but failed to turn it into clear cut chances in front of goal. Devonport were rewarded for their efforts when a goalkeeper Josh Smith punted a ball down ground and Jordan Douce ran onto a flick-on by Kieran Mulraney which he struck well past the keeper on an angle.

Douce scores the opener

Less than 2 minutes later Somerset were level when a long free kick spilt to the top of the box and Shark, Brodie Denehey reacted quickest struck his shot into the bottom left corner past an outstretched Smith.

Devonport continued to press forward but were letting themselves down with some sloppy passing in the final third. On the half hour mark Douce swung in a corner to the near post which Bradley Chilcott was on hand to glance into the net.

Chilcott scores at the near post

The lads celebrate the second goal

The Strikers created a few half-chances but the score remained at 2-1 at the break. McKenna was disappointed with the wastefulness in front of goals and urged the lads to lift their intensity and to focus on their distribution.

In the second half Devonport continued to control the tempo of the match, however, Somerset were beginning to impose themselves on the match and, as they had in patches in the first half, were troubling the Devonport midfield. Devonport keeper Smith made a good save from a curling effort struck from 20 yards out whilst in-form Devonport forward Kieran Mulraney was unable to clear his feet when the ball fell to him in the 18 yard box.

Somerset began to push men forward leaving them exposed at the back. The introduction of McKenna after the hour mark nearly paid off when a Mulraney cross found him in space in the box. However, he headed his effort over the cross bar. The Somerset keeper saved well from McKenna, Douce and then Mulraney keeping them in the game, whilst a few more of the Strikers shots sailed wide.

Eventually, Captain Nathan Gratton found himself unmarked from a corner and his header seemed goal bound until Kieran Mulraney deflected the ball into the net with his own head to add to his growing tally this season. This made the score 3-1 to Devonport.

Somerset continued to leave numbers up front and the stretched Devonport back-four did well to ward off the forward thrusts of the Sharks. The midfield trio of Adam Gorrie, Jesse Curran and Chilcott were called to give a little extra and worked tirelessly to create opportunities forward and to nullify the Sharks midfield.

The final whistle blew and Devonport, whilst not totally convincing, were mostly untroubled in their 3-1 victory. Bradley Chilcott was named best on ground amongst a host of solid supporting efforts.

The Strikers face a stern test next week as they travel to face nemesis and last season’s Premiers, Prospect Knights. The Knights have had the wood over Devonport in recent times and the Strikers will be keen to turn this around as they look to further their advantage atop the table.

In each of the last three seasons, the Northern Rangers have finished one place above the Devonport Strikers on the Forestry Tasmanian Northern Premier League ladder. In 2009, Devonport conceded a last minute goal in this fixture to hand Northern Rangers the premiership. The Strikers approached this match fully aware of the recent history between the two clubs and of the importance of this match.

Devonport entered with an unchanged line-up from last week’s comfortable victory over a competitive Launceston City. The conditions were not conducive to flowing football with a strong breeze blowing from goal to goal. Strikers Captain Nathan Gratton won the toss and elected to kick into the wind. The lads were well aware that they would need to ‘batten down the hatches’ in the first half and then use the advantage the gale provided in the second 45.

Rangers moved the ball well in the first half with their play maker Todd Hingston pulling the strings for them in midfield. Despite their control of possession they created very few first half chances with the Strikers defence holding firm. Rangers had claims for a penalty midway through the first half when Patty Lanau-Atkinson cut in from the right flank and went down as he tangled with Nat Cochrane in the box – the referee waved play on. Hopes of third consecutive clean sheet were dashed as shortly thereafter Rangers went ahead when former Launceston United forward Agele Luate lost his marker and finished first time past Strikers keeper Josh Smith.

Devonport youngster Jesse Curran was unlucky not to net his first for the season when his drive from 25 yards, destined for the top corner, was brilliantly saved by Lichtendonk in goals for Rangers. Just before the interval some good forward pressure from Devonport resulted in a turn over. From this Daniel McGinn went past a defender and sent a tantalising cross into the box which in-form striker Kieran Mulraney headed home to level the scores. This was remarkable given that he was one-on-five in the Rangers penalty area.

The half ended at one-a-piece. Playing Coach Chris McKenna was disappointed with the pressure on the ball and the retention of possession but praised the team for their defensive efforts and endeavour. The Strikers started the second half strongly. As the match progressed the conditions eased but were still enough to give Devonport the impetus to press forward.

McKenna injected himself in the match just past the hour mark, with almost immediate results. McKenna flashed a header wide from a free kick and moments later, when youngster Adam Gorrie slipped McKenna through, he rounded his marker only to drag his shot wide from his favoured left boot. Gorrie and McKenna were again involved in Devonport’s next move which saw McKenna lay the ball to Gorrie who slipped Mulraney in on goal. Mulraney struck his shot well, beating the keeper low to his right giving Devonport the lead.

In the dying minutes Rangers pushed forward in search of an equaliser. At the other end Mulraney missed a chance to seal the match and score his hat-trick when he shot at the keeper from close range. The Strikers defence of Wilson, Douglas, Gratton and Cochrane had been sound before Douglas, after intercepting a Rangers through-ball, inexplicably passed the ball directly to the Rangers goal scorer in the penalty area when attempting to pass the ball back to his keeper. Fortunately, Devonport were quick to get men behind the ball and Smith was not required to make a save.

In the final moments substitute McKenna showed agility beyond his years with a brilliant reaction stop on the line. This came after Todd Hingston headed back across goals from a corner that resulted in a goal mouth scramble. This was virtually the last passage of play in the match, the final whistle sounded with the Strikers 2-1 victors.

Mulraney was among Devonport’s best as his brace took his total to 8 goals in 5 games. Midfielder Gorrie was excellent for Devonport, he worked tirelessly all day and was close to best on ground in this all-important fixture – an impressive effort from a third-gamer.

The Strikers now have a week off before hosting Somerset at Valley Road (a fixture they lost last year). McKenna will ensure the boys are up and about as they look to continue some good recent form.

Arriving at the gates of Valley road, Devonport knew they had to get the job done to reach top spot on the ladder. With the first-years playing good football and mixing with the more experienced players, expectations were at a high from Malcolm and Roderick.

With the boys revved up, we took to the pitch with a positive attitude, carrying it with us into the game, where quick passing from the lads found its way to Brady Grey’s feet, who drove his way into the box and flicked the ball past the helpless keeper to open the scoring. 1-0. It wasn’t long before more fast-ball movement and high tempo won Devonport an early corner. Regan Murray’s near-post cross was deflected off a City defenders head, into Josh Harris’s and finally to Brady Grey’s, who made no mistake in nodding past the keeper for his second, merely minutes apart. 2-0.

The quality of football dropped dramatically soon after, with scrappy play from both sides meaning few chances were created. Yet the strikers did manage to capitalize on one of these chances, as Jordan Mansour picked the ball up outside City’s box, weaved his way between on-coming defenders before placing the ball in the far corner to claim his first goal for the season. 3-0.

Still, the quality of play remained low after the goal, and with City’s few chances being dealt with by the Devonport’s solid backline, and frustration began to creep in. Constant complaints and insults towards the referee led to a yellow card for a City player, who then retaliated and picked up his second yellow to reduce his team to 10 men. He was soon joined by his teammates in the change room at halftime, with Devonport leading 3-0.

Returning from the interval, Devonport started the half with the same mentality as they did in the first 45 minutes, dominating possession and using it well. Brendan McCaffery’s introduction as a lone striker paid off, with the ball arriving at his feet, with his back to goal, he turned his marker brilliantly and slotted home another. 4-0.

Soon after, the introduction of first half keeper Matt Griffiths to the field proved worthwhile, with his energetic performances on the wing allowing him space often, and eventually gifting him the goal he deserved. 5-0.

Soon after, miss-communication in the frontlines wasted a golden opportunity for Devonport, with Ben Andrews, tightly marked by a City defender, chasing a ball put through to him, before Matthew Griffiths, spurred on by his previous goal, attempted a shot from a slide, believing the incoming Ben was a City player. Needless to say the ball flashed wide. City pulled a goal back late, but time was not on their side, and the final whistle blew, leaving Devonport with a 5-1 win and a top spot on the ladder. Michael Dhaya picked up the clubman award for a fantastic performance on the left flank, both attacking and defending tirelessly throughout the match. Well done boys.

Goal Scorers: Brady Grey (2), Jordan Mansour, Brendan McCaffery, Matthew Griffiths

Match report by Jordan Mansour & Joshua Harris

Devonport have a long history against Launceston City. Since the demise of the state league and the establishment of the Northern Premier League no two teams have enjoyed as much success as these two clubs. Between the two they boast numerous league titles, state premierships and statewide cup victories. In recent years Launceston City has waned as a force in the NPL whilst Devonport has continued to be one of the elite clubs in the state. Though, the rivalry and memories of battles past continue to make this fixture an important one for both sides.

The Strikers came into this match-up full of confidence after a comfortable victory over Burnie away from home last week. Only one change was made from that win with Simon Wilson returning to the starting 11 after being unavailable the previous weekend. He slotted in at left back to replace Connor Lizotte who filled in impressively against the Emus. Adam Gorrie kept his position in the team after an two-goal debut last week.

Just prior to the 2.30pm kickoff, the boys witnessed the reserves side let a four goal lead turn into a two goal deficit by the final whistle. This served as a stark reminder of the consequences of not performing for a full 90 minutes, a problem that has plagued the lads in previous weeks.

Devonport were switched on from the first whistle and controlled proceedings from the outset. Devonport made the most of their early dominance when Nathan Gratton headed home unmarked from a Jordan Douce corner to give the Strikers a 15th minute lead. Whilst slightly wet, the ground conditions were good and allowed for some exciting attacking football.

Launceston City continued to be troubled by the Strikers midfield and forwards and were opened up again just before the half hour mark. After working the ball down the wing, Bradley Chilcott received the ball and cut into the penalty box before flicking the ball to Kieran Mulraney who sent a sizzling volley past the helpless City keeper. This was Mulraney’s 6th goal in four matches as he continued to repay the faith shown in him by coach, Chris McKenna.

Devonport were dictating terms and created numerous chances but failed to convert them. Youngster Jesse Curran came close with an incisive run through the Launceston defence that left only the goalkeeper to beat, unfortunately Curran’s strike was straight at the shot-stopper. Devonport were solid in defence, and keeper Josh Smith had very little to do. There was a nervy moment when Smith miskicked a ball outside his box that left the defence scrambling. However, Smith cleared the ball on his second attempt. The first half ended with a 2-0 scoreline. At half time McKenna encouraged his troops to continue to create opportunities and to be composed in their finishing.

In the second half Launceston City started to get foothold in the game, though Devonport still had a majority (albeit a slight majority) of the possession. The Strikers continued to pressure the City goal and a number of excellent saves by the Launceston City goalkeeper kept them in the match. As the match progressed, the City midfielders found a bit time & space and began to run at the Devonport defence. Despite this, the defence held firm with Smith having to make very few saves of note.

The result was sealed 5 minutes from time when substitute Lizotte rounded two defenders and sent a left-footed shot into the bottom left hand corner just beyond the despairing dive of the City keeper. The match ended at 3-0 and another 3 points were secured as Devonport went to the top of the ladder.

Natty Cochrane was best on ground for the Strikers. His defensive efforts were outstanding whilst his forward runs created problems for the Launceston City’s defence. McKenna was pleased with the 3 points, and a second consecutive clean sheet, but was quick to acknowledge that there was still room for improvement; both with the ball and without.

Next week, Devonport travel to the NTCA ground in Launceston to take on recent rival Northern Rangers. Both team will know that the result of this match will have a significant influence on the premiership aspirations of both clubs come season’s end.

For the first away game of the season, Devonport were confident against Burnie. Past encounters between the two teams have been very close and well contested and this was to be expected again this time around.

The game saw a lot of action during the opening minutes. Burnie were first to score after a free kick, where the ball was crossed into a dangerous area, splitting Devonport’s defence and leaving a Burnie player free to run at an open goal. The equaliser came minutes later from a confusing bit of play. After a Devonport corner kick, the Burnie keeper was judged to have fouled a Devonport player in the box in an attempt to claim the ball. The penalty kick was saved, but the Burnie keeper seemed to step off his line illegally. The kick was re-taken, and Mat Smith converted, making the score 1 – 1.

The chances on goal seemed to dry up from this point, and the game became very physical and mouthy. After half time, the two sides played very differently, with Devonport trying to play a passing game, and Burnie looking for the quick break. Burnie got their break late in the second half but the chance was wide past the post.

The game finished 1 all, with Devonport earning a well-deserved and valuable point away from home. It is encouraging to see the way the young Strikers pass and possess the ball, and hopefully their style of play will result in a rewarding season.

Match report by Jake Gleeson and Matthew Griffiths

Devonport entered this fixture on the back of two disappointing results. Whilst the boys had played some excellent football in the two previous matches, they had been unable to put together a consistent 90 minute display. Moving the ball quickly, being more clinical in front of goals and tightening up defensively were three major themes of the pre-match address by coach Chris McKenna and assistant Darren Chilcott.

The Strikers made one change to the starting 11 for the 4.30pm kickoff with defensive midfielder, Simon Wilson, unavailable for selection. He was replaced in the side by talented youngster Adam Gorrie, who would be making his full senior debut. Disaster struck when minutes before kickoff – during the warm-up – Scott Wilson felt a twinge and was unable to take the field. Connor Lizotte, who had just scored a hat-trick in a winning reserves side, was called into the side at left back. Whilst regular left back Kamil Douglas moved into an unfamiliar position at the centre of defence alongside experienced campaigner and captain Nathan Gratton.

A late change could have been a catalyst for some early nerves and jitters amongst the Strikers but Devonport began the match well against an undermanned Burnie outfit. They controlled possession for long periods during a first half that saw few clear cut chances created. Kieran Mulraney gave the Strikers a deserved half time lead when he slotted home from close range off a corner. Devonport ended the half mostly untroubled with the makeshift defence holding strong and looking good for an overdue clean sheet.

During the break McKenna implored his young team to give more of the same, knowing that the result would come if they did. Ten minutes after the restart, a late challenge on Bradley Chilcott saw Elliot Stewart was sent off for a second bookable offence. This swung the momentum even further in the direction of the Strikers and they wasted no time in pressing home the man-advantage. The match was a one-sided affair from here and Devonport scored 5 second half goals and it could well have been more. Daniel McGinn slotted home his second penalty of the season, beating the keeper high to his right. Gorrie scored a goal on debut when a McGinn free kick was deflected off the wall to the unmarked youngster who showed great composure to place the ball past the advancing keeper. Gorrie scored a cracking second with a curling left foot effort from just outside the 18 yard box that left the Burnie keeper stranded. McGinn would finish with a brace & Mulraney added another to bring his personal tally to five in three games. The final score at Montello was 6-0.

This was an outstanding all-round team effort from the Strikers which made singling out performances very difficult. However, Lizotte, having already played a full game, was fantastic in defence and deserves a mention. As does debutant Adam Gorrie whose movement and ball use troubled the Burnie defence. The Devonport make-shift back four were largely untroubled with Douglas, Gratton and Cochrane solid whilst Curran’s mazy runs through midfield are becoming a regular feature.

With so many good performances McKenna and Darren Chilcott will have a lot to discuss at the selection table.
McKenna was particularly pleased by the pressure placed on the opposition when Devonport didn’t have the ball. This defensive pressure was a significant improvement from previous weeks. A first clean sheet was another pleasing aspect, particularly for goalkeeper, Josh Smith.

Next week the boys host long-time rivals, Launceston City, and will be looking to secure another positive result.

This weekend saw Devonport host Riverside at Valley Rd.
Devonport, with only 9 players due to the Easter break, looked more like a team and had the game under control right from the start.
Only at an early stage of the game did we notice the undermanned Devonport unit struggle and, due to a lapse in concentration, Riverside scored first. This only served to make everyone in the Strikers kit take on their own responsibilities and intensity and kept turning it up all game.

Our first goal came from Coach Krystine who found the back of the net with a mid air volley off a beautiful corner from Faith.
The second goal was scored by none other than Faith Cochrane who took a shot and followed it up as the Riverside GK fumbled.
The third goal came from our returning central defender Sally Haynes who was unleashed into the midfield and showed impressive skills to get around the Riverside defenders and slot the ball past the keeper.

Overall the 9 girls who took the field knowing they didn’t have an easy task ahead held very strong as a complete unit. As the Riverside coach said “I would hate to see what you play like when you have a full team if you play like that undermanned”.

Well done girls.

The Under 18s kicked off the season facing Ulverstone at home, in great conditions. The boys were desperate for a good start to the year to reward the hard work in pre-season, which was soon reflected within a few minutes of the kick off, with some slick passing finding Jake Gleeson at the top of the box, who drove his shot through the Ulverstone keepers gloves, giving him his first goal for the club. 1-0. With confidence lifted, it wasn’t long before we struck again, with a well-placed ball down the left flank finding Luke Nicholas who finished well, placing the ball in the far corner, giving Luke a goal on his club debut. 2-0. Some time passed before a misplaced pass from the midfield gifted Ulverstone possession who, with some quick passing, found their way into Matthew Griffiths box to draw one back for the visitors. 2-1. With that, Ulverstone began to lift their tempo, and with consistent possession in and around the box, they eventually forced a penalty. With Matt’s record of saving penalty’s, Devonport were quietly confident, and Matt delivered, with a fantastic dive to the right to deny Ulverstone their second. This was enough to lift Devonport back to full confidence, with Matt Smith’s deflected shot finding its way past the keeper to pull back Devonport’s two goal advantage. 3-1. Soon after, a pinpoint pass from Jake Twamley made for an easy finish for Josh Harris to extend our lead. 4-1. Matt Smith struck a second past the suffering Ulverstone keeper to make it a sweet halftime score of 5-1.

With confidence still running high in the second half, Jackson Ellis made his debut for the club, replacing Matthew Griffiths in goals for the second period. Devonport continued with the momentum they ended with in the first half, with a shot from Jake Twamley striking the underside of the crossbar, and with no-one sure weather it had crossed the line before bouncing out, Matt Smith tapped the ball over for Devonport’s 6th. 6-1. Following soon after, Brendan McCaffery found space inside the Ulverstone box to drive another past Ulverstone, making him the second debutant scorer of the day. 7-1. Ulverstone snuck one passed an unfortunate Jackson Ellis, with a cross deflecting into the back of the net to finalize the score of 7-2 to Devonport.
Zach Butler, another debutant received the clubman award for a strong game in defence, and a good sign of what is to come from him. A fantastic start from the boys, and a type of football we hope to carry with us for the rest of the season.

Goal Scorers: Jake Gleeson, Luke Nicholas, Matt Smith (2), Josh Harris, Jake Twamley, and Brendan McCaffery.

Match Report by Jack Dance & Josh Harris

Easter Monday saw the Devonport Strikers host Southern Premier League side Tilford Zebras in the round of 16 in the Milan Lakoseljac Statewide Cup. It has been a decade since Devonport last held the Milan Lakoseljac Cup. In 2002, Devonport came from 3 – 0 down to win in a memorable performance. In an odd sort of symmetry, Devonport gave their costal rivals, Ulverstone a 3 – 0 lead last week and managed to claim a point. Despite this comparison and the character displayed by the Strikers last week, McKenna and his men were intent on playing from the first whistle for the 2pm kick-off.

Tilford Zebras were one of the early season favourites in the SPL and brought a near-full strength squad to Valley Road. Devonport named an unchanged side from the 11 that took the field against the Reds, though a few positional changes were made.

The opening half was one for the spectators, a goal-fest. Devonport took an early lead through Kieran Mulraney whose excellent forward pressure resulted in him scrambling one across the goal line. The Strikers were 2-nil up inside of 10 minutes when Mulraney raced onto a through ball and slotted past the advancing keeper. Unfortunately, Devonport took the foot off the pedal and almost immediately surrendered their two goal lead. Some lackluster defending lead to the first and a communication error lead to a fumble by goal keeper Josh Smith which allowed the visitors to draw level.

At the 25 minute mark the Strikers went ahead off the boot of Nathan Gratton who volleyed home a great corner from Jesse Curran. Curran was pulling the strings in the centre of the park and his passing, and dribbling, was troubling the away team. Going forward this was complemented well by the midfield drive and effort of Bradley Chilcott and Simon Wilson. On the stroke of half time the Zebras equalised after a quick switch of play caught the Strikers napping and the boys went into the sheds at 3-3. Amazingly, both teams had a number of opportunities that weren’t taken and the message in both change rooms at half time would have been to tighten up defensively.

The Strikers struggled to get a foothold in the match in the second half. The Zebras looked more eager and energetic despite having played on Saturday and having just made the three hour bus trip north. The Zebras went ahead on the hour mark and (15 minutes from time) when Devonport keeper Smith was rounded and the ball dispatched into the net, the match was all but over at 5-3. It was at that score line that the match finished.

In the second half, both teams (again!) were given more chances than the coaches would have liked, though, the Zebras created and finished more. The lads will be disappointed to have let an early lead slip and to have conceded so many preventable goals.

Mulraney’s fantastic work ethic and runs in behind the defence created constant headaches for the Zebras in the first half whilst fullback Nat Cochrane was solid in defence and bringing the ball forward. Both were amongst Devonport’s best.

It will be back to the drawing board this week as the Strikers hope to arrest any defensive frailties that may be behind the 8 goals conceded in their last two matches.
For the second week running the Strikers only turned up for one half.

Next weekend, Devonport travel to Burnie and will need to put together a 90 minute effort to take maximum points.