The Devonport Strikers began their 2018 season firing on all cylinders as they downed Clarence United 7-0 at Valley Road. Michael Holden had a hat-trick after just 30 minutes as they wrapped the game up quickly in a lively attacking display.

Holden got things going with an absolute rocket from 25 yards out when he found space and unleashed a bullet of a shot that Voss got a hand to but could not keep out.

He bettered the effort 7 minutes later when he took a touch past a defender to buy space before curling in a sublime effort into the top corner of the net from a similar range.

It was scintillating play from the Strikers young star as he stamped himself on the season in no uncertain terms. Along with the goals, his sharp passing and ability to take defenders on was on show all afternoon in a brilliant individual performance that drew high praise from his coach Chris Gallo in the post game.

He was rewarded with his hat-trick on 30 minutes when he stroked home from the spot after Brayden Mann had been brought down in the box by Voss.

Just before the half time break it got even better for the Strikers. A long ball over the top was brought down on the left foot with a silky first touch from Mann, before he clinically stroked home with his next touch.

Before a minute had passed in the second half it was 5-0. Daniel Jackson scoring his first NPL goal when he played a 1-2 with Bidwell, marched into the box and drove home at the near post.

Clarence looked dispirited at this point as they found themselves unable to cope with the lightning speed of the Strikers tempo and ball movement, pulling defenders out of position.

Brayden Mann was everywhere in this game and he got his second when Blizzard won a tackle in the area and it spilled to him to fire home. He then completed his hat-trick when Jackson cleverly dummied for him on 68 minutes, making it 7-0.

From that point on the game fizzed out somewhat with the result beyond doubt. Voss made three quality saves in the Clarence net as they managed to avoid conceding any more.

The final whistle was a relief for the Reds who will look to regroup next week and will be hoping senior players like Stuart, Hedge and Bremner will be available after they missed out on the game.

The Strikers face a massive two weeks, taking on Olympia and Hobart Zebras as the stakes get raised. Their performance in this one justified the preseason hype though and its clear Chris Gallo has a squad poised to challenge on his hands.