Melbourne Knights celebrate their 70th birthday with an Easter Monday clash against North Geelong Warriors in NPL Victoria Round 8 action at Knights Stadium.
Knights come into Monday’s match off the back of a strong start to the 2023 NPL Victoria season that sees them sitting fifth despite having their three-match winning run halted by league leaders Avondale last weekend. Despite the loss, the side fired back with a convincing 6-1 Australia Cup victory over Corio SC on Easter Thursday.
Knights put in a strong display at Avenger Park but were undone by their inability to take their chances against a clinical Avondale outfit who took the points courtesy of a Liam Boland brace and late Manny Aguek header.
Prior to Saturday’s defeat Knights won three league matches in a row for the first time in four years as Ben Cahn’s new look side begin to make their mark on the competition.
Coming up against Knights on Monday afternoon are North Geelong Warriors who start the weekend bottom of the NPL Victoria standings.
The Warriors have picked up just the one win so far this season and suffered a 7-0 defeat to Green Gully in their last outing in what was their first match following the resignation of Head Coach, Stuart Begg.
Monday’s match will be the fifth time Knights and Warriors have met at NPL Victoria level with Knights winning on three occasions and there having been one draw between the pair.
The last league meeting between the pair was in August 2017 when Knights ran out 4-1 winners thanks to a Kym Harris brace as well as goals from Elvis Kamsoba and Marijan Cvitkovic in a result that sits level as Knights biggest ever NPL Victoria away win.
Monday’s match also marks a milestone for Knights stalwart, Joey Franjic who is in line to make his 150th top flight appearance in Victorian football.
After returning to the club for a third stint in 2023 Franjic has been a key pillar in the Knights back line alongside his brother Ivan.
Knights can finish the Easter Long Weekend as high as third on the NPL Victoria standings with a win against the Warriors on Monday afternoon.
MATCH DETAILS
NPLVictora 2023 – Round 8: Melbourne Knights FC v North Geelong Warriors
Knights Stadium, North Sunshine
Monday, 10 April (4pm KO)