Knox City V Diamond Valley Utd  7/5/2011

Final scores: Knox City FC 2 - Diamond Valley Utd 2 (Draw)

Knox City were out to redeem themselves this week. The team had some forced changes due to injuries to Phil Hawkins and Josh Valadon. Damian De Blasio was on from the start this week, Aiden Verdun back after an enforced absence last week and John O’Connor all back in the team to bolster a defence that leaked four goals last week.

Knox attacked from the start and within five minutes Phil Ajao had two chances with only the goalie to beat. The first one the Diamond Valley goalkeeper Gavin Watson saved but the second was tucked away into the net after Ajao having got the ball in midfield and beating three players this time beat the goalkeeper. Knox continued to attack and were in control for the first fifteen minutes or so but Diamond Valley then began to get into the game. Knox were playing quite well with Ben Rowbotham on the left and Judd Flres wide on the right of midfield providing good support for Phil Ajao and Shayan Missaghi.

The defence of Damian De Blasio, John O’Connor, Michael Hoogendyk and Aiden Verdun were suuccessfully holding the Diamond Valley at bay until Dejan Milevski found himself free on the edge of the goal area to head in a cross from the right past Chris Marshall in the Knox goal in the 17th Minute. Diamond Valley were increasing the pressure and it paid off in the 36th minute when Milevski found himself wide on the right and he ran into the penalty area and fired in a fierce shot which Marshall was unable to save for a 2-1 lead. which they held at the half time break.

Knox came out for the second half in determined mood and immediately scored through Shayan Missaghi who receiving a pass from Phil Ajao sidefooted it into the net for the equalizer.

Craig Kerr and Gavin Moon were working very hard in midfield to contain the Diamond Valley forward thrusts but the game provided few highlights and the Knox defence were able to keep out the Diamond Valley forwards. Both teams made two substitutions with Josh Sucharov and Tom Szabo coming on for Knox and Christian Stack and Jerome Taraska coming on for Diamond Valley but both teams were unable to break the deadlock leaving the teams with a point each.

Reserves Final scores: Knox City FC 4 - 1 (WIN)

The Knox Reserves played a good first half to get to halftime with a 4-1 lead with goals to Kurt Roden, Aaron Porcaro and two goals to Ross Billias. However they could not keep it going and no goals were scored in the second half but still won the game comfortably with Nick Giannopoulos prominent. The team is receiving good support from the Club’s Under 18 team including Aaron Porcaro, Wade Dekker and Zack Merry worthy members of the squad.