Strikers win in Melbourne

THE Devonport Strikers have again proven they can more than hold their own on the national stage, comfortably beating Northcote City 3-1 in the FFA Cup round of 32 in Bulleen last night.

The Strikers were the first — and still the only — Tasmanian team to make it through to the FFA Cup round of 16 in 2016, and they matched that effort, becoming the first to win an away fixture in the Cup in the process last night.

They meet Avondale FC, also from Melbourne, in another away clash in the round of 16.

Miles Barnard scored the goal in the Lakoseljac Cup final against South Hobart that propelled the Strikers into the FFA Cup, and he proved the hero once again last night with two goals in the opening 15 minutes to put Devonport in the box seat.

Devonport captain Brayden Mann, who had two assists, was “buzzing” after the game.

“The win against Lambton [in the FFA Cup in 2016] was one of the biggest wins in Tasmanian football, and I think we’ve just surpassed it,” Mann said. “To go away from home and win in Victoria, it’s just huge for us.”

Barnard fired the Strikers ahead in the 12th minute when he slipped in behind the defence by Edward Bidwell, rounded the Northcote keeper and fired into the empty net.

It was 2-0 three minutes later, with Barnard finding the bottom corner with a pinpoint, curling shot.

Northcote’s job was made harder by the dismissal of Adrian Mancini, who was shown two yellow cards in the space of a minute in the 45th minute. Joel Stone secured the win in the 78th minute when he exquisitely took down a long ball over the top from Mann before finishing expertly. Substitute Yahya Khalif gave Northcote hope with a goal in the 85th minute, but it proved merely a consolation strike.