Milestone Mann Fires Strikers To Victory
The Devonport Strikers seized the opportunity of playing in the first game of the round to move further ahead atop the table courtesy of a 6-0 win over Clarence United. The undermanned Reds simply had no answer to the ladder leaders who received a nice boost to their goal difference with the win, which could yet prove crucial. Brayden Mann scored yet another hat-trick and in the process brought up his 150th NPL TAS goal.
The rout began in the opening ten minutes as Spaniard Guillermo Lazcano poked home from a corner to open things up.
Clarence were doing a good job making themselves hard to break down, but the Strikers have the perfect man for such a job. Enter the Fox in the Box, Miles Barnard, who added to the lead by steering home Jelenkovic’s cross.
It was then Barnard’s header that drew a sharp save from Dyson and allowed Brayden Mann to fire home the rebound to make it 3-0 just before half time.
Pouncing on the rebounds in the box has always been a strength of Mann’s and after Michael Holden’s fierce shot drew another save from Dyson, Mann again was on hand to strike home to make it 4-0.
The goal of the game was undoubtedly Joel Stone’s and the games fifth. Receiving the ball wide on the left he crossed the ball from right on the paint of the wing and somehow lobbed Dyson. Whilst the intention was probably to cross, it was an eye catcher and it made it five.
Mann then made it his day, heading home his third goal moments from the end to complete his hat-trick. In the process he brought up goal #150 in the NPL Tasmania and his 28th for the season!
The win leaves Devonport 6 points clear on top with six rounds to go, though their main title rivals still have games to go in Round 15.
Speaking to Jarryd Mcguane of the Advocate post game, Mann said he was proud of the achievement and happy to have reached the mark at Valley Road.
“It is obviously a great feeling for me and a big honour, when these things come around, you do have to cherish them. I think I have been at a consistent level in this league for a long time, so that is a great thing to be proud of.
To do it here in front of the people here at the club means a lot more to me than the milestone. It was also good to put in the corner from Joel Stone, who is my best mate and it was great for him to assist my 150th.”
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