Four-time Golden Boot winner Brayden Mann upped the ante to deliver a five-star performance and in the process hand Devonport City an incredulous 10-1 win over Clarence United.
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The reigning titleholders scored five goals in each half – only conceding to a 30th minute free kick to briefly give up its two-goal lead.
Mann has continuously had the golden touch in front of goal, netting 24, 29, 31 and 26 goals over the past four seasons that included a 2014-15 stint at South Hobart.
But the arrival of goal ace Tyler Fischer had pushed the 24-year-old to second fiddle until the American’s shock exit to the NPL Victoria.
Returning as top Striker, Mann scored his first three in the space of 15 minutes on either side of the break.
Mann’s class overshadowed Michael Holden, who added three to the scoresheet while setting up two others.
The Strikers, who were 17 goals behind South Hobart on goal difference, firmed their one-point lead at the top of the NPL Tasmania title.
But South Hobart were not to be outdone on Saturday, scoring a comfortable 5-1 victory at Launceston City.
The challengers to Devonport’s defence, Jack Turner put the visitors one-up inside just the first minute.
City trailed by three goals midway through the second half, but drew one back from the only two shots on goal.
Noah Mies capitalised from a strike that rebounded off the post to tap in his first for the NPL season.
But South’s Darcy Hall replied only six minutes for his second of the day to secure the three competition points.
Northern Rangers had squandered a near-certain fourth win of the season in the clash with Kingborough Lions, near Hobart.
The Lions found a 93rd-minute equaliser to steal a 1-1 draw when Rangers dominated the statistics.
The visiting side had 11 shots on goal to six and six corners to two.
It took substitute Kwin Kensley to put Rangers in front after 75 minutes from a cross the Lions failed to clear.
The Canadian debutant flew into Launceston this past week after crossing midseason over from Sydney.