Strikers on cusp of historic win

THE Devonport Strikers will be out to create a slice of Tasmanian football history when they meet NPL Victoria heavyweight Avondale FC in the FFA Cup round of 16 in Melbourne tonight.

The Strikers earned their place in the round of 16 with a 3-1 win over another NPL Victoria side, Northcote City and, in doing so, became the first Tasmanian team to win an away FFA Cup fixture.

Tonight’s match will be Devonport’s second in the round of 16 — it reached the same stage in 2016 — while no other Tasmanian side has made it past the round of 32.

Devonport captain Brayden Mann said the Strikers could write themselves a chapter in the Tasmanian football history books with another win tonight.

“I think it would be the biggest [win by a Tasmanian team] in history,” Mann said.

“I think the win against Northcote is up there as the biggest in history but for us to make a quarter-final from Devonport would be unbelievable.”

While Northcote was languishing towards the bottom of the NPL Victoria, Avondale is third with 15 wins from 24 matches.

Avondale cruised into the round of 16 with a 4-1 win over NPL NSW side Marconi Stallions.

“Obviously, Northcote was still a difficult task but we know that Avondale is a step up in class and their league position shows that,” Mann said.

“It’s going to be a difficult game for us but, if we can go out and play anywhere near the best of our abilities and go out and show no fear, I think we’re a big chance.”

The Strikers will have to do it without key Lithuanian midfielder Gediminas Krusa, who parted ways with the club last week.

“It’s certainly a loss for us, but I think we’ve got more than capable replacements as well,” Mann said.