Knights overcome NTC with nine men

The Melbourne Knights have overcome the N.T.C, even though they were down to nine men for the final ten minutes, after bizarre turn of events at Knights Stadium.
Melbourne’s Jacob Colosimo found himself with a lot of space outside the 18-yard box in just the first minute, but his shot just flew over the bar.
N.T.C punished the Knights just minutes later when an unmarked John Reale slotted home the opener courtesy of a back post half volley from close range. Reale’s shot was too good for Melbourne Knights’ Antony Loncaric.
N.T.C had the chance to go two up after Luke O’Dea was pulled down in the box after an exciting run down the left wing. To the N.T.C’s frustration O’Dea failed to convert his own penalty, as Knights’ keeper Antony Loncaric easily parried it away for a corner.
As the half progressed the Knights started to take control of possession, but failed to produce any genuine chances, until Tomislav Ples’ 34th minute long range attempt flew agonisingly wide of Alastair Bray’s left goal post.
The Knights’ found themselves down 1-0 at half time, even though they had controlled the ball for the majority of the first half. Knights’ coach, Ivan Duzel, made an uncanny move at half time, making three changes, including keeper Antony Loncaric for Matthew Vrbec.
The changes had an immediate impact on the game, with half time substitute Stefan Baricevic finding the back of the net in the 50th minute. Baricevic produced a brilliant solo effort down the left, beating two defenders in the box, and finishing with a classy left foot shot.
The Knights had an opportunity to go 2-1 up just minutes later, after Tomislav Ples was pulled down just inside the penalty area. Jacob Colosimo stepped up for the penalty, but was stopped by a terrific diving save by N.T.C keeper Alastair Bray. However, Colosimo didn’t fail to convert the rebound with a cool-headed lob to put the knights up 2-1 in the 56th minute.
Jacob Colosimo then had two in 10 minutes after a perfect Nathan Long cross found an unmarked Colosimo, who finished with a gutsy diving header, Alastair Bray never had a chance. It was 3-1 to the Knights in the 66th minute.
Melbourne Knights’ coach Ivan Duzel’s decision to use up all of his three subs at half time came back to haunt him, after influential Tomislav Ples went down, with what seemed to be an ankle injury. Ples was carried from the field without the subs to replace him. So the Knights
found themselves down to 10 men in the 70th minute.
N.T.C immediately made two subs in the 72nd minute with Robert Naumoski replacing Andrew Mullet and James Karvelis replacing Erol Korkmaz.
A tired N.T.C failed to capitalise on the one-man advantage, providing coach Mehmed Durakovic little pressure on the Melbourne goal.
It got even worse for the Knights when Ryan Filipovic was stretchered off the park, with what also looked to be a painful ankle injury. The Knights were now down to nine men with 10 minutes remaining.
N.T.C began to push at the Melbourne goal, with countless balls into the box from promising runs from Quinn McDonald and John Reale on either wing.
N.T.C finally pulled one back courtesy of John Reale in the 84th minute, but it was too little late with the Knights holding out a late surge from N.T.C, victorious 3-2.
Next Wednesday the N.T.C travel to Olympic Village to face top placed side, Hume City at 8:30PM, while the Knights search for their third win of the season at Knights Stadium on Sunday against South Melbourne.

N.T.C line-up: Christian Georgopoulos, Erol Korkmaz (Davide Cardamone 72), David Stirton, Luke O’Dea, Tedros Yabio, Quinn McDonald, Craig Sweeney, James Jeggo, Alastair Bray, Andrew Mullett (Robert Naumoski 72), John Reale
Melbourne Knights line-up: Antony Loncaric (Matthew Vrbec 45), Ryan Filipovic, Anthony Bran (Thomas Skara 45), Jacob Colosimo, Filip Vulic, Nathan Long, Michael Grgic (Stefan Baricevic 45), Anthony Colosimo, Joseph Franjic, Gazmend Ajdini, Tomislav Ples
Goals: N.T.C – John Reale 5’, 84’. Melbourne Knights – Stefan Baricevic 50’, Jacob Colosimo 56’, 66’
Yellow Cards: N.T.C – Craig Sweeny 67’. Melbourne Knights – Anthony Bran 40’
Red Cards: Nil