NPL soccer: Avondale FC top scorer Liam Boland says friendship the key to success of strike partnership with Kaine Sheppard
PROLIFIC Avondale FC striker Liam Boland believes his friendship with attacking partner Kaine Sheppard has been crucial to their success this season.
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PROLIFIC Avondale FC striker Liam Boland believes his friendship with attacking partner Kaine Sheppard has been crucial to their success this season.
The strike pair have combined for 27 goals in the National Premier League and were both on target during the club’s historic FFA Cup Round of 32 victory over Marconi Stallions.
AVONDALE FC CLAIMS FFA CUP ROUND OF 32 WIN
MR FFA CUP BOLAND TARGETS MORE SUCCESS
Alongside wingers Joey Katebian and Elvis Kamsoba, Boland and Sheppard have formed one of the most dynamic attacking line-ups in the NPL.
“We have been great playing together and he takes a lot of pressure off me and I think I do the same for him,” Boland said.
“When a defence has to concentrate on two players who are going to give them problems, it makes your job a lot easier.
“Me and Kaine get on really well off the pitch and I think that has helped our relationship on the pitch as well.”
Boland, whose career has included stints with Oakleigh Cannons, Green Gully and Hume City, is among the leading scorers in the top flight this year with 14 goals.
“I have been really happy with how I have played this year and I am hitting some good form at the moment,” the 26-year-old said.
“We are starting to play a bit better as a team after a bit of a slump, starting to hit form heading into finals and this important end of the season.”
Sheppard has netted 13 times, but has only played 18 of a possible 23 games due to injury.
Avondale FC’s chances of reeling in league leader Heidelberg United are slim, but the club will have a shot at glory come finals.
The Avengers will be chasing their maiden NPL finals victory after being knocked out at the first hurdle by Oakleigh Cannons last year.
“When you get to finals, those first 30 minutes of the game it is so intense that you can’t blink,” Boland said.
“That’s something a lot of us will have experience with and we have to manage that.”
Boland has started his own photography business and while that has become his primary focus, he conceded he would “always love to go further with my football”.
“I am 26 now, but I have had a good couple of years in the FFA Cup,” he said.
“I’d love to get somewhere further with my football, if it’s in Australia, or overseas in Asia, or somewhere like that.”
The Avengers moved back to second on the table after doubles from Boland and Sheppard lifted them to a 4-3 win over Melbourne Knights on Saturday.
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