YOUNG AIS midfielder Jason Hoffman scored two goals as his side’s 3-0 rout of reigning champion Preston Lions at B.T. Connor Reserve today.
Expectations were higher prior to the kick-off, after these two sides had played out a thrilling 4-3 result in the same fixture last season.
AIS claimed victory in that encounter courtesy of an injury-time strike to James Holland, now plying his trade as a member of the Championship-winning Newcastle Jets side.
There would be no fairytale finish this time around however, with AIS placing Preston on the back foot early following a strong start to the match, which saw them produce a number of good scoring chances in the opening minutes.
The first of three fine goals came in the 14th minute after midfielder Matt Theodore pounced on an error from Preston defender Nicholas Schwal, whose attempted headed clearance fell right into his path.
It allowed the diminutive youngster a powerful low strike that left Lupce Acevski with little hope in the Lions’ goal.
They doubled their lead 11 minutes later after Jason Naidovski’s neat through ball found Kofi Danning on the edge of the area.
Danning knocked the ball past Stephan Masalkovski before his cross found Jason Hoffman, who was on hand to spear the ball in from close range.
AIS could have added a third in the 42nd minute after Luke De Vere rose to meet Jason Greer’s long free kick, but his effort went narrowly wide.
Preston got off to a lively start in the second half, creating a number of chances early on.
The first fell to John Sapazovski, who climbed above a gathering pack to head the ball just wide of the upright, before Marinos Gasparis sent a well-flighted cross into Igorce Kolevski, who also sent his header wide.
Preston continued to push and created their fair share of chances through Gasparis, Frank Catalano and captain Tony Sterjovski, but they could not put the finishing touches to some fine moves.
They came close again after Kolevski’s 65th minute header was cleared off the line by Sam Munro, but AIS continued to frustrate their hosts with some disciplined defending.
Referee Bruno Danielo waved away the home side’s appeals for a penalty after an apparent handball from Steve Tibbets in the 68th minute, further adding to the Lions’ sense of frustration.
Bale Micovski was brought on to replace Victor Pititto in the 71st minute as Preston coach Goran Lozanovski sought to give his side a more attacking edge.
The move may have backfired however, with AIS countering quickly and allowing Hoffman to beat the offside trap and round Acevski in the penalty area, before prodding the ball into an open goal for his second of the game.
The Lions never fully recovered as AIS cruised to their fifth win in eight starts this season, confirming their status as contenders for this year’s title.
Words: Dave Kristy
Picture: Daniel Flis – DVF Images
AIS claimed victory in that encounter courtesy of an injury-time strike to James Holland, now plying his trade as a member of the Championship-winning Newcastle Jets side.
There would be no fairytale finish this time around however, with AIS placing Preston on the back foot early following a strong start to the match, which saw them produce a number of good scoring chances in the opening minutes.
The first of three fine goals came in the 14th minute after midfielder Matt Theodore pounced on an error from Preston defender Nicholas Schwal, whose attempted headed clearance fell right into his path.
It allowed the diminutive youngster a powerful low strike that left Lupce Acevski with little hope in the Lions’ goal.
They doubled their lead 11 minutes later after Jason Naidovski’s neat through ball found Kofi Danning on the edge of the area.
Danning knocked the ball past Stephan Masalkovski before his cross found Jason Hoffman, who was on hand to spear the ball in from close range.
AIS could have added a third in the 42nd minute after Luke De Vere rose to meet Jason Greer’s long free kick, but his effort went narrowly wide.
Preston got off to a lively start in the second half, creating a number of chances early on.
The first fell to John Sapazovski, who climbed above a gathering pack to head the ball just wide of the upright, before Marinos Gasparis sent a well-flighted cross into Igorce Kolevski, who also sent his header wide.
Preston continued to push and created their fair share of chances through Gasparis, Frank Catalano and captain Tony Sterjovski, but they could not put the finishing touches to some fine moves.
They came close again after Kolevski’s 65th minute header was cleared off the line by Sam Munro, but AIS continued to frustrate their hosts with some disciplined defending.
Referee Bruno Danielo waved away the home side’s appeals for a penalty after an apparent handball from Steve Tibbets in the 68th minute, further adding to the Lions’ sense of frustration.
Bale Micovski was brought on to replace Victor Pititto in the 71st minute as Preston coach Goran Lozanovski sought to give his side a more attacking edge.
The move may have backfired however, with AIS countering quickly and allowing Hoffman to beat the offside trap and round Acevski in the penalty area, before prodding the ball into an open goal for his second of the game.
The Lions never fully recovered as AIS cruised to their fifth win in eight starts this season, confirming their status as contenders for this year’s title.
Words: Dave Kristy
Picture: Daniel Flis – DVF Images
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