Knox City V South Springvale 04/06/2011
Final scores: Knox City FC 2 - South Springvale 2 (Draw)
On a perfect day for football at Egan-Lee Reserve, Knox put in a performance that had elements of optimism that a resurgence in fortunes may be possible. Most home supporters thought that the team should have won the game having led 2-0 well into the second half but due to both frailties in defence and a lack of good fortune with referee decisions the team had to settle for a draw much to the delight of South Springvale.
The first half was fairly even with Knox having good chances while South Springvale were unable to trouble Cristiano Morales in the Knox goal.
The first chance fell to Matt Evans who combined with Shayann Missaghi on the left wing for a fine effort on 18 minutes which was well saved by Steve Eleftheriou in the South Springvale goal. Then shortly after Phil Ajao hit the bar with the goalkeeper well beaten followed by a header from Phil Ajao that went wide of the goal. Knox just could not score. South Springvale did find chinks in the Knox defence and in the 18 minute an attack down the South Springvale right wing saw a cross from Ken Athui after beating Phil Hawkins to the ball, but it was played in behind the unmarked Pedro Sequiera in the penalty area and Knox was able to clear the ball. Finally Knox did score in the 27th minute when Matt Evans having received the ball wide on the left ran into the penalty area and scored with a neat finish past the goalkeeper.
Kurt Roden on the right having made his first appearance the previous week again showed up well, Matt Evans on the left flank was having a good game while Ajao and Missaghi were causing the South Springvale defence some difficulties.
For the rest of the half the game was fairly even with both teams having equal possession of the ball while Knox having the most clear cut chances. The Knox defence while loose at times was holding up well.
The teams went to half time with Knox leading 1-0.
In the second half a determined Knox seemed to have the game won when Phil Ajao scored in the 59th minute to make it 2-0. Another chance fell to Nick Veljovic when a free kick found him unmarked but his header went straight to Steve Eleftheriou in the South Springvale goal. But when the referee denied Knox a penalty when Kurt Roden was bundled over in the penalty box and a certain win, the game changed and South Springvale came on stronger. In the 74th minute South Springvale scored when Ken Athui managed to find some room in a packed defence. At this point Knox were still favourites to win but gradually they were forced back into defence. Michael Hoogendyk was then sent off after a badly timed tackle just outside the penalty area. The South Springvale forwards with Sam Catherine and Pedro Sequiera showing out and Alex Akrivopoulos on the left was finding plenty of space and putting the Knox defence under severe pressure. But for some wayward shooting South Springvale might have scored again. With the game into injury time South Springvale did score an equaliser from a penalty in the 93rd minute when a South Springvale forward was brought down and Artimis Karanicolas stepped up to shoot past Cristiano Morales in the Knox goal.
It was cruel on the Knox team but if chances had been taken maybe the result would have been different. The draw though did take Knox off the bottom of the ladder and above Doncaster Rovers who they next play on Friday 17th June at Doncaster. With a concerted effort over the next few weeks and with other games against Heatherton, only two points above Knox, and Morwell the points are there to be won to get the team out of the relegation zone.
Reserves Final scores: Knox City FC 2 - South Springvale 0 (Win)
The Reserve team went on their merry way with a 2-0 win over South Springvale. Goals to Aaron Porcaro and Judd Flores enabled the team to remain top of the ladder with a three point lead over Noble Park who they beat the previous week. The sad thing to report is that Aaron Porcaro suffered a broken ankle late in the game and he will be sadly missed for the rest of the season. Everyone at Knox wishes Aaron a quick recovery.