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Former Richmond boy Timmy Purcell cancelled out a spectacular Barker-Daish strike, as an injury-ridden Melbourne Knights earned a point at Kevin Bartlett Reserve on Friday night.
Andrew Marth was forced into making one change from his side which defeated Bulleen Lions last week, with Marijan Cvitovic replacing the injured Stipo Andrijasevic in attack. Andrijasevic joined injured captain Milan Batur and winger Robby Zadworndy on the sidelines.
Richmond, buoyed by their stunning comeback against South Melbourne a week prior, immediately caught the Knights on the back-foot when a stunning long range drive from Jake Barker-Daish in the 6th minute disturbed the spiders in the top right hand corner of the goal.
Just four minutes later, Liam Flynn also tried his luck from a similar position only to be denied by a equally impressive save from Chalmers, who managed to tip his effort onto the bar and out for a corner.
Arguably against the run of play, Knights pulled level in the 20th minute. Jacob Colosimo’s cross was flicked on by Cvitkovic and bundled home by Irishman Timmy Purcell at the back post for his first goal for the club.
Hamlet Armenian and Jacob Colosimo were the main protagonists for their respective sides in the first half, playing a major part in the majority of forward movements. Armenian’s cross for Flynn in the 39th minute was skied over the goal, while two minutes later Purcell failed to hit the target following a cross from Colosimo.
A flurry of golden opportunities went begging in the opening minutes of the second half for either side to take the lead.
Marijan Cvitkovic square ball to Hicks drew a good save from Tapia in goals, before Chalmers at the other end denied Armenian who was one-on-one. The biggest chance came in the 50th minute as Hicks broke the offside trap and with time and space, but the in-form Kiwi placed his shot wide of the right upright.
The linesman came to the rescue of the visitors in the 55th minute, raising his flag to deny Richmond a goal from a set-piece.
Sensing an opportunity to seize the contest, Andrew Marth brought on Chris Talajic in the 74th minute. However the youngster lasted just four minutes before succumbing to a troublesome shoulder injury forcing the Knights to play out the remaining 15 minutes a man short.
A late surge saw the home side pressure the Knights winning 5 corners in the dying embers of the match, however each attack was met with a resilient defense from the visitors. The final whistle brought to a close an entertaining draw which both side could lay claim for winning.
Speaking to Knights Media post-match goal-scorer Timmy Purcell spoke about returning to his old home and getting on the score-sheet.
“This fixture is one I have been looking forward to since the season began, I really enjoyed my time at Richmond and it was good to be back”.
“Really happy to get onto the scoresheet and do my part for the club, I’m happy to play anywhere across the park and contribute to the team”
The Knights are back at home next Friday night as we welcome Hume City to Knights Stadium.
Kick off is at 8:30pm.
Under 21’s Final Score. Richmond 5-0 Melbourne Knights.
MATCH STATS;
SHOTS: MK 9 RE 11
TARGET: MK 4 RE 5
CORNERS: MK 5 RE 7
Melbourne Knights Squad: 20.Chalmers, 3.Grgic, 4.Surey, 8.McGarry (11.Jurkovic 66’),
9.Colosimo, 10.Cvitkovic (14.Mikulic 59’), 13.Katiforis, 16.Hicks, 18.Brekalo, 19.Glavan,23.Purcell
(7.Talajic 74’).
Not Used. 1.O’Farrell, 12.Dezic.
Cautions: Surey, Jurkovic
Goals: Purcell 20’.
Richmond Eagles: 20.Tapia, 4.Chalk-Hatton (Popovich 70’), 5.Roorda, 7.Armenian, 8.Barker-
Daish, 11.Flynn, 13.Bran, 14.Kioussis, 18.Seeto, 19.Richardson, 22.Kokolakis (Sewan 78’).
Not Used: 1.Davis, 3.Higgins, 15.Kelly
Cautions: Chalk-Hatton, Flynn.
Goals. Barker-Daish 6’.
