Melbourne Knights FC Official Website Melbourne Knights were denied all three points at the death in a 1-1 draw with Hume City at Knights Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Luka Kolic’s first goal of the 2023 NPL Victoria season had Knights ahead before the visitors snatched an equaliser in second half stoppage time for what resulted in Knights second draw of the campaign so far.
18-year-old, Kolic opened his goal scoring account for the new season in the 39th minute when he slammed a loose ball inside the area into the bottom with a first-time finish.
Kolic reacted quickest to finish when most in attendance at Knights Stadium were waiting for the whistle to blow after Ciaran Bramwell was dragged down inside the area by Tomas Maricic.
Kolic’s goal came after a cagey opening to the contest, with neither side able to generate any chances of note.
Hume forward, Yagoub Mustafa came closest in the opening exchanges but was unable to direct either of his efforts at goal on target.
Hume were reduced to ten men in the 43rd minute when captain Harry Monaghan received his second caution of the contest for his part in a melee that broke out following a Hayden Tennant foul on Bramwell.
Ivan Franjic came oh-so-close to doubling Knights lead in the 49th minute when he rocketed an effort off the crossbar from a tight angle after Rory Brian could only parry Bramwell’s initial effort.
Franjic then turned provider as Knights again came close to doubling their advantage in the 86th minute when Bramwell rose highest to meet his corner, but the young forward was unable to direct his powerful header either side of Brian in the Hume net.
Hume then found an equaliser with the final kick of the game when Tennant fired an effort against the woodwork at the back post on the end of a Lachlan Weier long through before the rebound rocketed into Josh Phelps and landed in the back of the net.
Despite the disappointment of being denied the three points at the death, Knights who are still unbeaten at home remain fourth after eleven rounds of action.
Next up Knights make the trip to George Andrews Reserve to face Dandenong Thunder on Saturday night (7:15pm KO).
Thunder currently sit eight points adrift of Knights in ninth position on the league table with thirteen points to their name so far this season.
Thunder come into Saturday’s clash after suffering a 4-2 defeat at the hands of Green Gully on Friday night.
