Saturday 1 March 2008

MELBOURNE Knights became the first side to take a point away from Kevin Bartlett Reserve last night recording a 2-2 draw with Richmond Eagles.

The match started at a high tempo, with the Eagles controlling most of the possession. It took just five minutes for Richmond to score after a great cross from Semir Sivic found Michael Catalano all by him self in the penalty area.

He headed home his third goal of the season to put the Eagles 1-0 up.

For the next 15 minutes Richmond dominated play, but as the game progressed the Knights found their feet and in the 25th minute had their first chance to equalise.

The Knights won a free kick, which saw Cameron Watson thunder a spectacular ball 30 yards out which slammed into the top left hand crossbar.

And in the next minute he atoned for his missed opportunity thanks to a foul in the same area.

This time he crossed the ball to the back post, where he found Craig Elvan who cut the ball inside the six yard box finding Anthony Pelikan who expertly put the ball into the back of the net.

In the second half the Knights had the first chance in the 49th minute with the lively Watson again cutting of a pass in Richmond’s attacking third.

He slotted a well timed pass to Joe Spiteri, but he failed to finish with an easy save going to Richmond’s keeper, Stuart Webster.

In the 54th it was the Eagles went 2-1 to the delight of the home crowd.

An amazing shot from Spiteri again 35 yards out headed towards the top right hand corner, but a touch by the Knights keeper Savas parried it onto the cross-bar.

The ball then fell right in the path off Pablo Cardozo, who easily headed the ball in.

Watson then had a chance to put the result beyond doubt for the Eagles when he made a run into the 18 yard box, but his shot hit the bar, which then fell to Joe Spiteri who had his shot saved by Webster.

Pelikan also sprayed a shot wide which would prove costly at the other end in the 77th minute.

A long ball from Knight Craig Elvan found Zoran Petrevski inside the 18 yard box, who then got a shove in the back and won a match defining penalty.

A calm Tommy Milardovic stepped up to the spot and easily slotted the ball into the back of the net to level the scores.

Man of the Match: Tommy Milardovic.