Melbourne Knights extended their unbeaten run to eleven matches in all competitions after overturning a two-goal half time deficit to draw 2-2 with Oakleigh Cannons at Jack Edwards Reserve last Friday night. Goals from Corey Sewell and Mohammad Sumaoro sealed the fightback after first half Anton Mlinarić and Alex Salmon efforts had the defending Champions in front at the break in Friday’s NPL Victoria Round 15 clash. Mlinarić put the home side ahead in the 21st minute, finding the back of the net with a first-time finish from the edge of the six-yard area after Emlyn Wellsmore nodded a Joe Guest corner into his path.
Salmon added a second for Chris Taylor’s side in the 42nd minute when he headed home a Joe Guest cross after the Cannons forced a turnover high up the pitch. Knights’ best opportunity of the opening half came through Ciaran Bramwell, who fired a first-time effort inches wide of the upright at the near post on the end of a Gevaro Nepomuceno corner. Down but not out at the break, Ben Cahn’s side came out firing in the second stanza and were rewarded in the 53rd minute when Sewell hammered home a volley from the top of the box after the Oakleigh defence failed to deal with Mitch Hore’s initial cross.
From that point on Knights grabbed hold of the momentum and found an equaliser in the 76th when Sumaoro headed a Gian Albano cross into the back of the net via the underside of the crossbar on the end of a sweeping move from the visitors. Knights came oh-so-close to a grabbing a winner in the 84th minute when Albano combined brilliantly with Bramwell and Luka Kolić to get in behind the Cannons defence with some slick interplay only to be denied one-on-one by a brilliant Lachlan Hart save. In the end the sides were forced to settle for a share of the spoils in a result that leaves Knights in fourth position on the NPL Victoria ladder with 31 points after 15 rounds of action.
The OG Derby is back at Somers St this Friday night June 2nd as Knights take on South Melbourne in what is sure to be an exciting affair. With both teams firmly cemented in the top four, Knights will be looking to take out the all-important bragging rights. Kick off for this game is scheduled for 19:30.
