Hobart Zebras 1 (A Mckeown 57’)

Devonport City 2 (B Mann 59’, 70’)

Mark Wakefield

The Devonport Strikers came from behind to win a huge clash against the Hobart JEEP Zebras to go back to the top of the PS4 NPL Tasmania league ladder. In a pulsating game with few great chances for either side Brayden Mann struck a brace to lead his side from a goal down to win 2-1. In the process, the prolific striker registered his 100th goal in Victory League/NPL history, remarkably achieving the feat in just 73 games.

The opening 55 minutes were an absolute arm-wrestle with both teams defences well on top. The Zebras looked to be holding possession better of the two sides, whilst the Strikers looked the more dangerous on the break. Both teams had shouts for penalties turned away in amongst half chances created by small defensive errors.

In the 14th minute, Mann had a shout for a penalty turned down as he looked to have been impeded in the box after chasing a loose ball that bounced past Graham Wright. The Zebras keeper stepped into his path and blocked him, however the referee waved play on.

In the 51st minute, Luke Huigsloot, deployed in the midfield this week, looked like he was going to gather a cross that had gone long. As he streamed through the 18 yard box he looked to have his ankles clipped and went down. The Zebras crowd begged for a penalty but again, the referee waved it on.

Just as it looked like no team would break the deadlock in this epic struggle, there was a rare error from Joe Zupo in the 57th minute. The towering Canadian went to control a ball but completely missed it, which saw Adam McKeown nip in and slot a shot home through the legs of Niko Giantsopolous to give the Zebras the lead.

The goal fired the Strikers up and Stone burst through the middle from the kick off, dribbling past three or four Zebras before winning a corner. From the resulting corner the ball ended on the opposite flank with Mann. He dribbled onto his left foot and played a cross in towards the goals. As it made its way into a busy box, a Zebras defender got a minor touch on it and it altered its course just enough to wrong foot Wright and make its way into the back of net to make it 1-1.

Both teams continued to trade blows until the 70th minute when the Strikers took the lead. A cross into the mixer was inexplicably chested down towards Wright by Harrison, but about 4 yards in front of him when he was firmly planted on his goal line. Mann saw the chance and pounced, reacting instinctively to fire home from inside the 6 yard box to make it 2-1.

In the 73rd and 74h minute, Stone collected two cards needlessly and got himself sent to the sheds a little earlier than he desired. He now misses the huge clash between Devonport and South Hobart in the Lakoseljac Cup final on the Queens Birthday.

The Zebras chased the game from that point but Devonport were resolute in defence. Hey came close in the 82nd minute in a surging run from midfield into the 18 yard box but Giantsopolous was quick off his line to deny him the opportunity of shooting.

A final moment of drama in 93rd minute saw Henry Moody, a sub late into the game, denied a certain goal by the well placed leg of Giantsopolous. Moody had managed to flick a header towards the bottom left of goals and Giantsopolous didn’t have time to react or move and was fortunate his leg was in the position it was in.

Daniel Syson, Nathan Gratton, Brayden Mann, and Joel Stone starred in a great all round team performance from the Strikers, whilst the Zebras better players were Jayden Hey and Henry Fagg.

It was a classic top of the table clash in which both teams threw everything at one another, with the Strikers coming out on top and now sitting on top of the PS4 NPL Tasmania league ladder.

Devonport Strikers coach Peter Savill was pleased with the win, “Yeah it was a big game, and three points. Everyone wants three points.”

“I thought everybody played well.”

“Brayden has been good at leadership this year.”

Hobart Zebras assistant coach Nick Di Martino was reflective at the end of the game, “Yeah it was (disappointing). It was a funny ball in to be honest (from Mann) that found its way into the back of the net.”

“Their keeper cut out a lot of crosses.”

“We’ve lost one game.. if we win every game from hereon in you know, it could be anyones (title).”