Melbourne Knights FC Official Website The Melbourne Knights have suffered their first loss at Somers Street this season, following a 1-0 defeat to Heidelberg United.
Melbourne Knights Starting XI:
Thomas Manos (GK), Lachlan Weier, Ayden Brice (C), Anthony Duzel, James McGarry, Alun Webb, Gian Albano, Caleb Mikulic, Trevor Zwetsloot, Mohammed Sumaoro, Nicholas Glavan.
Melbourne Knights Bench:
Harry Cakarun (GK), Nikola Jurkovic, Daniel Petrov, Felipe Sanchez, Trevor Ssemakula.
The Knights started the match with haste, giving the attackers a handful of chances in the final third. The best of the early chances came from Mohammed Sumaoro, who nearly converted within the first minute of the match, but the ball was stopped on the line by a Heidelberg defender.
During the early rush, Anthony Duzel was to walk a tightrope for the rest of the match, when he was booked in just the 9th minute.
Half time arrived and either side were yet to hit the back of the net. The Knights held majority of the chances, and Heidelberg also created some chances off the back-foot.
With both sides fighting for a winner, some fresh legs were introduced all over the pitch. Daniel Petrov replaced Lachlan Weier at left back in the 65th minute, moments later Mohammed Sumaoro was replaced by Trevor Ssemakula up front. The Knights’ final substitution was in the 75th minute, as Nikola Jurkovic came on for James McGarry in the middle of the park.
The Knights were flooding forward toward the 80th minute, and it was soon to be proven costly. After a decent chance for the Knights went begging, the counterattack was on for Heidelberg.
A long ball from the left flank had Sean Ellis one-on-one with Thomas Manos, leaving the Knights’ defence in the dust. He slotted it into the far corner, taking the lead for Heidelberg and leaving the Knights with little time to equalise.
After 5 minutes of added time, the Knights were unable to find an equaliser. This being Knight’s first loss at home this season, it sees them drop to 5th on the NPL Victoria table, following the sixth round of action.
Next up, the Melbourne Knights take on Old Scotch SC in round 4 of the FFA Cup, on Saturday, April 3. Our opponents are currently 3rd in the South-East Men’s State League 2.
