Knox City V Noble Park Utd 28/5/2011

Final scores: Noble Park Utd 3 - Knox City FC 1 (Loss)

After last weeks poor effort against Eastern Lions, Knox City went into the game with a fairly settled side for the first time in weeks with only one change to last weeks team with Kurt Roden starting for the first time replacing Josh Suchorov in the lineup.

Both teams looked dangerous at times in the first half. Cristiano Morales made two good saves to deny Noble Park while a shot by Nick Veljovic from Knox City hit the crossbar and a Andres Jerez freekick was well saved by Frederico Au in the Noble Park goal. Noble Park had more shots at goal up to half time but most were high and wide. Ben Rowbotham for Knox City was doing well in defence and Kurt Roden found his feet very quickly.

Knox City took the lead in the sixth minute of the second half after a nice move down the left was played across to the right of the penalty area to Phil Ajao who centred the ball to Shayanne Missaghi who rifled it home. At this point things looked optimistic. However Noble Park fought back and inside five minutes they equalised through Matt Durand who had previously played for Knox City and he scored again within a minute when the ball was swept down the left and a shot on goal was parried by Cristiano Morales in goal but the ball fell to Matt Durand again who scored with ease.

Knox tried to respond and Andy Savage and Craig Kerr came on to try and salvage a result and while some pressure was applied to the Noble Park defence the opposition was able to repel the danger. Noble Park were able to put the result beyond doubt when the Knox defence was caught square and Adem Awal was able to break down the Noble Park left wing and shoot past Morales in goal to give a final result of 3-1 to Noble Park.

Cristiano Morales in goal has proved to be a good signing and young Kurt Roden had a very encouraging debut.

Reserves Final scores: Knox City FC 3 - Noble Park Utd 4 (Win)

The Reserves were again in a top of the table clash and while they have not set the world alight away from home they were worth there win this week. Taking an early lead through Ross Billias the team fell behind to two well taken goals by Noble Park.

A penalty for hand ball which was converted by Adrian Savage brought the scores level at half time. Two goals in the second half to Rien McDonald, even though Noble Park scored again, were enough for Knox City to win 4-3 give them the three points and retain top spot on the ladder