Knights power into second half of the season with victory over Saints

Melbourne Knights have broken a pair of club unbeaten records with a 4-1 win over St Albans in NPL Victoria Round 14 action at Knights Stadium on Friday night.

Goals from Luka Kolic, Josh Phelps, Ciaran Bramwell and Mohammad Sumaoro leave the Knights now unbeaten in a club record seven straight matches as well as a record eight unbeaten at home.

Kolic opened the scoring in the 26^th minute with a chipped finish after being cleverly played in by Bramwell on the end of a quickly taken Chris Oldfield goal kick.

Phelps made it two with his second goal of the season in the 38^th minute when he deftly turned a bouncing ball into the back of the net after being found by a pinpoint Anthony Duzel delivery.

Dinamo were reduced to ten in the 62^nd when midfielder Joseph Monek received his second caution of the contest for a misplace challenge on Bramwell.

Ten minutes later Bramwell got in on the goalscoring act when got on the end of an Albano cross and despite scuffing his initial effort, reacted quickly to skip past his marker and finish for what was his sixth league goal of the season.

The visitors got onto the scoresheet via a Steve Whyte own goal in the 72^nd minute but Knights immediately reinstated their three goal lead courtesy of a back post Sumaoro finish after Dinamo goalkeeper Jasmin Keranovic could on parry Gevaro Nepomuceno’s initial effort.

Friday’s win not only breaks the pair of unbeaten records that have stood since 2015 but also sees Knights already match last seasons points tally of 30 following as they continue to build on a best-ever start to an NPL Victoria season.

Friday’s win kicks off a big week for Ben Cahn’s side who travel to face Bentleigh Greens in Australia Cup Preliminary Round 6 action at Kingston Heath on Tuesday before an away trip to face Oakleigh in the league on Friday night.

MATCH DETAILS

NPL Victoria 2023 – Round 14: Melbourne Knights FC v St Albans Saints

Knights Stadium, North Sunshine

Friday, 19 May (7:30pm KO)

Melbourne Knights – 2 (Luka KOLIC 2’, Josh PHELPS 38’)

St Albans – 0