Knox City V Morwell Pegasus At Ronald Reserve Morwell 9/4/2011
Final scores: Knox City FC 2-0 (WIN)
In a tight tussle at Morwell on Saturday afternoon Knox managed its first win of the season. A goal just before half time to Ajao and a second to Valadon midway through the second half were enough to bring home the three points.
Just as importantly the defence kept a clean sheet. After last weeks loss where defensive errors resulted in two late goals to the opposition Knox started determinedly with Craig Kerr back in the team in his midfield role providing good cover for the defence with Moon providing good support. Play was end to end but both goalkeepers were untroubled.
The first chance fell to Valadon of Knox who met a centre from Ajao that went over the crossbar but was adjudged to have handled the ball.
Morwell were maintaining possession better and gradually getting on top and stretching the Knox defence with Cairns prominent. Cairns was prevented from scoring by a good save by the Knox goalkeeper Marshall after Cairns ran onto a defence splitting pass.
Morwell continued to apply pressure with corners from both right and left taken by Ross-Schultz but they were unable to capitalise on the opportunities.
Knox were able to break away on occasions with Missaghi and Ajao prominent and in the 42 minute Ajao scored. After good play down the left wing by Valadon he passed to Rowbotham whose centre across goal to the far post was met by Ajao who stroked the ball home for a 1-0 lead at half time.
The second half was played at a frenetic pace with the Knox defence holding firm despite periods of sustained attack by Morwell. On the break Knox looked dangerous and in the 62 minute an attack down the left again from a defensive clearance reached Missaghi who took on the Morwell defence and squared to Valadon who blasted the ball into the net for the second goal.
Morwell continued to pose problems but could not finish. Sucharov came on late as substitute and with almost his first touch, and the Morwell defence stretched, met a centre from Valadon that just missed to the right of the goal.
Knox played out the game fairly comfortably for a welcome win after last weeks nervous start and with one or two new signings on the horizon the team can look forward to next weeks game at home to Dandenong City with confidence.
Reserves
Final scores: Knox City FC 3-3 (DRAW)
The Reserves played a lacklustre game and paid the price. After falling behind early and then leading 3-1 the team had to settle for a 3-3 draw.