Knights v Kingz

Round 18 report by Paul Jefferies
Melbourne Knights v Football Kingz


Both these sides were looking to for a change in fortune coming into this fixture. Their scoring record coming into the game highlighted the fact that both these teams were propping up the rest of the competition.

Melbourne Knights had only scored 11 goals all season and the Football Kingz had done a little better having scored only two goals more.

The game came alive only after veteran defender Andrew Marth put his side in front right on half time with a shot from as little as 2 yards out." I went away for a week," said Marth after the game. "I thought I would have been a bit underdone, but I was quiet happy with my performance today.

As for the goal "it was just a tap in, " It was a mistake by two defenders in the penalty box and the ball just fell to me. it was probably the easiest goal I have ever scored.

There was a sigh of relief from the home supporters more than a cheer when the former coach scored his teams only goal of the game. Both sides had plenty of chances but as the goals for column said before the game this was always going to be a low scoring affair.

"The way the game went it could have been a score of 8-7 in their favor. " said Kingz coach Tommy Mason, "I was very disappointed and it was certainly a game we looked to try and win, if ether side had had a normal striker there would have been a lot more goals tonight but credit must go to the Knights they got the result they were after. We just have to try and keep going," he said.

The most influential player for the Knights was youngster Bill Natsioulas each time he received the ball he looked to run at players and caused the Kingz major problems down the left hand side of their defence. But to the disappointment of the crowd the player trying to light up the match for the Knights was taken off by Coach Ian Dobson.

"He was tired, totally shattered." Dobson said "I understood were the crowd was coming from he was one of the better players. He played on Sunday and picked up a shoulder injury and was doubtfull before tonight's game and just run out of legs and that was the purpose of the change." he said.