The Melbourne Knights will hope to enhance their chances of finals this week when they travel to face Hume City FC on Saturday night.
The Knights picked up an important point last week against the St. Albans Saints in an intense 1-1 draw. George Ott had the Knights on the board first thanks to a defensive blunder that put him one-on-one with Lejeune. The Saints levelled the score line in the second half, heating up the intensity of the match, which ultimately ended with the sides sharing the spoils.
Hume City also endured a hard-fought draw over the past weekend, battling a 0-0 draw with the Bentleigh Greens. The grinding effort ensured a point for the relegation-battling side, who currently sit 12th.
The Knights currently hold a three-game win streak over Hume City, which they hope to take to four. The last time these sides faced was in round seven of this season, with the Knights coming up trumps in a 3-0 win at home. A second half riot involving an Anthony Frangie double and a Steve Sokol sealer produced the three points for the Knights.
Steve Bebic will have to shed extra attention on Josh Bingham – Hume’s leading goal scorer this season. Bingham has netted seven goals from 19 matches and currently sits equal-sixth on the goal scoring charts. Alex Walter could also cause harm; he currently has six goals during this campaign.
Aside from Ott finding his feet early, Bebic will also be hoping defensive newcomers Taylor Schrijvers, who started last week, and Dylan Murnane will adapt quickly and add some much needed stability in the back line.
Make sure to show your support in any way this weekend, whether it be joining the boys on the road or tuning in to the livestream. Some big points are on offer and out hunt for finals football is not over.
Melbourne Knights FC:
Squad: 1- Harry Cakarun (GK), 2- Jack Marth, 4- Theiry Iradukunda, 5- Ayden Brice (C), 6- Anthony Duzel, 9- Luka Celic, 10- Gian Albano, 11- Justin Micallef, 12- Andy Robertson, 16- Mohammad Sumaoro, 17- Trevor Ssemakula, 18- Jack Morton, 19- Luka Kolic, 21- Thomas Manos (GK), 23- Steve Sokol, 24- Ivan Miletic, George Ott, Taylor Schrijvers, Dylan Murnane.
Head Coach: Steve Bebic
Hume City FC:
Squad: 1- Lucas Trentovski (GK), 2- Birhan Elibol, 4- Lachlan Weier, 5- Harry Monaghan, 6- Umut Bozdugan, 7- Alex Walter, 8- Ben Bowler, 9- Paul Kuol, 10- Aden Gardner, 11- Josh Bingham, 12- Mark Ochieng, 13- Matthew Lazarides, 14- Mitch Cooper, 15- Hayden Tennant, 18- Ali Turgut, 21- Koray Cekic, 22- Brandon Lauton, 23- Marcus Aiello, 26- Shane Rexhepi, 30- Eren Arslan (GK), 44- Danny Dixon
Head Coach: Nick Hegarty
2022 NPL Victoria Round 20 – Hume City FC v Melbourne Knights FC
Date: Saturday, July 2
Kick-off: 7:00PM (AEST)
Venue: Valley Parks Event Centre, West Meadows
Where to watch: Livestream via NPL TV