Melbourne Knights FC Official Website The Knights are back on the winner’s list after a win away from home at Pettys Reserve last Saturday.
Following a string of suspensions across both NPL and Australia Cup competitions, this week saw the reintroduction of skipper Ivan Franjic after serving a one-match suspension in the Club’s opening-round loss of the Australia Cup. During the same match, however, Mitch Hore received a suspension, serving it out in this match against the Blues.
From the get-go, the Blues looked to take an early control of the game, testing Chris Oldfield in front of goal in the opening seconds of the match.
The Knights answered back with shots on goal of their own, particularly through the left wing and Gian Albano, who could have easily had a hat-trick of his own by the end of the 90 minutes, however, he failed to put any of the attempts into the back of the net.
Manningham United was first to get on the board after a corner kick found its way into the congested 8-yard box and was tapped by Castiello after the ball was unable to be cleared out in time.
The Blues relished in their lead up until the 38th minute when Castiello, after receiving his second yellow card of the match for a tackle on Ciaran Bramwell. The sending-off reduced the home side to 10 men and created a much-needed shift in the match for the Knights.
Throughout the first half, Bramwell also found himself with chances on goal and his efforts were rewarded right before halftime in the 43rd minute, scoring the equaliser after a mid-range strike caught Tzamouranis unaware.
The equaliser before the break proved to be vital for the Knights as they entered the second half with vigour. The Knights were able to take the lead shortly after the start of the second half in the 53rd minute after Albano was able to cross the ball and pick out Semmy, cleverly passing it to Bramwell who fired an unstoppable bullet into the back of the net, scoring his second of the match.
Oldfield would again be called into action for the remainder of the match, but the Knights were able to walk away victorious at the conclusion of the 90 minutes.
The win marks an important step for the Knights who now sit in 8th place and one point outside of the top six. Up next for the Knights is another must-win match against high-flying Heidelberg United FC, who sit in fourth place and one win outside of second place on the ladder.
