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A Danny Tiatto inspired Melbourne Knights have come out on top in the Sunshine derby against a spirited George Cross side which never really got going.
The Knights once again conceded early and cheaply, but the side’s endeavour and will to win was enough to see the side through and off the bottom of the ladder – albeit with most results involving clubs at the foot of the ladder going against their way.
A defensive mix up in the first minute gifted George Cross the lead after keeper Sebastian Mattei did well to get down and save the initial effort.
The Knights were 1-0 down and in familiar territory, right behind the eight ball from the get-go.
But credit to the side led by new captain Danny Tiatto, which rallied and played to their strengths of high tempo passing to the wings. George Cross retreated in the hope of coming out of the encounter with a slim result.
Jean Dubois – the Frenchman, the enigma and the magician. A crunching Danny Tiatto tackle in the centre of the Sunshine half spilt the ball to Dubois who took one touch, fired away far into Martin John’s right corner. The thunderous ball bounced off the post and into the net – putting the Knights back in the game and giving the side a huge mental advantage. 1-1 and the fans could sense a revival in the Knights ranks.
Continued pressure by Ben Surey, Danny Tiatto, Anthony Colosimo and a renewed Josip Magdic forced Sunshine into pumping long balls to the tallest defense in the league led by Tomislav Skara, Ryan Filipovic and Bryan Bran – all of which dealt with the aerial threat with ease.
The Knights continued to push for the lead and took it in spectacular fashion in the last minute of the half. A pinpoint Tiatto corner was flicked on by Dubois to the diminutive Townson who headed in off the post and crossbar to beat a desperate Martin John. John protested the goal to the officials but the keepers call for a foul fell on deaf ears as the Knights wheeled into the interval 2-1 up.
The second half saw the Knights lose the magical, yet sometimes fanatical and overly zealous Dubois to his second yellow card for a late challenge. The Knights were 10 men down with half an hour to play. Tiatto’s experience and cool headedness really helped the Knights in calming the game and playing it out for a well deserved and needed victory. Kevin Townson was also key in keeping the Georgies on their toes receiving the ball and linking up with Adrian Zahra on a number of occassions on the counter and very nearly punished the red and white stripes. Townson’s defensive work has left a lot to be desired in the past but his effort in the closing stages of the match was crucial in keeping the status quo. Josip Magdic who has been out of sorts for the past couple of games really lifted his game and ensured that he continues to be the danger that he can be.
The Knights have a break during the catch up round this coming weekend and come up against a Hume City side in two weeks time that has hit some of a form slump losing to Dandenong 0-1 last week and drawing to Heidelberg 0-0. The Knights will look to get another win on the board in front of their home fans and to get as far away from the relegation zone as possible and into the higher reaches of the ladder where the side deserves to be.
