Paco Steal the Points After Elvis Show

More late drama has again prevented Melbourne Knights from recording their first victory of the season.

A strike from Michael Ferrante in the 86th minute saw 10-man Pascoe Vale take all the points at Knights stadium on Friday Night.

Andrew Marth kept faith in the same starting eleven that faced Hume City last Saturday, with the only change coming in-between the sticks, with Hrovje Cakarun deputising for the suspended Fraser Chalmers.

Despite a strong start last week, the Knights struggled to come out of their shell in the opening half, gifting the visitors control of possession.

The first notable chance on goal arrived in the 14th minute. Gonzalo Munoz flashed a shot past Cakarun’s left post. The visitors came closer in the 22nd minute, when Marino Gasparis’ free kick from 25 yards smashed into the crossbar.

Elvis Kamsoba would again provide a spark for the home side, evading three players on a darting run, before shooting wide. That proved to be a rare foray into attack for the Knights in the first half.

Pascoe Vale eventually converted their earlier missed opportunities. Some strong build up play from Davey Van’t Schip would tee up Joseph Youseff, who could make no mistake with his headed goal, only metres from an empty net.

Melbourne Knights looked much more positive in the second half, and thought they had levelled the game in the 69th minute. Barker-Daish whipped in a free kick that was touched on by Tom Cahill. After consultation with his linesman the referee denied the goal for offside. Momentum was still in favour of the home side, and it was live-wire Elvis Kamsoba that would bring the Knights back into the match. Ben Surey picked out the winger inside the box, and with his back to goal, Kamsoba showed his class with a quick turn and chip over the keeper for the equaliser.

Just three minutes later, the Knights were presented with a golden opportunity to take control of the contest when a second yellow card to Munoz left the visitors with 10 men for the final 10 minutes.

However Pascoe Vale delivered the ultimate sucker-punch as Michael Ferrante’s free-kick in the 87th minute initially hit the wall, before his follow up took a deflection and found it’s way into the back of the net via the inside of the post.

In the closing minute of the match, the Knights should have rescued a point as substitute Robbie Zadworny’s effort from close range bounced over the crossbar with the goal at his mercy.

Speaking to Knights Media post-match, debutant goalkeeper Hrovje Cakarun shared his thoughts on the match and making his debut.

“There were certain times in the game where we could have taken at least a point, or even three.”

“I thought throughout the second half we were more dominant. The boys up front, to their credit, gave it their all. But ultimately goals win you games.”

“We will move on, and begin preparing for another tough fixture next week.”

On his debut, Cakarun spoke highly of the opportunity handed to him by the Knights coaching staff

“I didn’t think this day would come as quick as it did. Stabba and Frank have given me the opportunity to be number 2 this year, and I have to be prepared to play a role for when the club needs it.”

The Knights continue to search for the first win of the 2017 season, and face the task of Benteigh Greens at Kingston Heath on Friday night.

Melbourne Knights: 20.Hrovje Cakarun, 4.Ben SUREY, 5.Damien MISKULIN, 8.Jake BARKER-DAISH (7.Rob ZADWORNY 81’), 11.Nikola JURKOVIC (3.Tomislav FADLJEVIC 90’), 12.Anthony DEZIC, 13.Tom CAHILL, 15.Danny DIXON (9.Kym HARRIS 66’), 16.Jason HICKS, 18.Joshua BREKALO, 27.Elvis Kamsoba

Not Used: 30.Garbiel Matti, 23.Timmy PURCELL.

Goals: Elvis KAMSOBA 77’

Pascoe Vale: 35.Alexander PAVLIDIS, 2.Adrian TALARICO, 3.Gonzalo MUNOZ, 8.Joseph YOUSEFF, 9.Jacob COLOSIMO (13.Matthew LAZARIDIS 74’), 10.Davey VAN’T SCHIP (5.Milos TOSIC 90’), 15.Mark PISTINIZI, 16.Tomislav MILARDOVIC, 18.Marino GASPARIS (21.Michael FERRANTE 66’), 23.Moustapha QUAYNOR, 29.Matteo BALLAN.

Not Used: 1.Dennys MARTIN, 7.Luca SANTILLI.

Goals: Joseph YOUSEFF 38’, Michael FERRANTE 87’.

Red Card: Gonzalo MUNOZ 80’.

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