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VICTORIAN PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH REPORT |
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 Knights
continues Lions misery
Tuesday 26
May 2009
(FFV) - The Preston Lions have all but confirmed their
relegation this season after succumbing to yet another
drubbing, this time by five goals to nil to the Melbourne
Knights at Mansion stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The Lions will require at least five wins (provided the
teams above them don't pick up any points) to avoid
relegation, and with already half the season passed they
have only mustered up one point. A miracle of biblical
proportions is required to save Preston this season.
Melbourne Knights dominated the match with ease from start
to finish, and whilst a five goal win may seem impressive,
the home side was guilty of not putting away many more
opportunities. The Knights should have opened the scoring
after just eight minutes; James Sherman's long range
effort was prevented by Salcin, Greg Draper then picked up
the loose ball, however Salcin was quick to get back to
his feet and block his effort.
Just minutes later the Knights blew another opportunity to
take the lead, Frankie Lagana's through ball saw Joshua
Groenewald one-on-one with the keeper, but to their
frustration, the young forward could not hit the target.
In the 19th minute the Knights finally got their goal,
Lagana's free kick was partially saved by Salcin, and
Draper was in the right place to tap in the simplest of
finishes. The Knights had opportunities to extend the lead
with Lagana and Draper both wasting good chances, but on
the stroke of half time the duo combined to double the
lead. Lagana's right wing cross was met by the head of
Draper to seal the points for the Knights.
Cameron Watson who was starting his first match after
missing over a month due to injury, was a welcome addition
to the Knights midfield. Watson left his mark on the match
in the 52nd minute when he set up Groenewald who finished
emphatically making it 3-0.
Preston managed to get their first sight on goal in the
56th minute when Igor Arsovski's long range effort was
easily dealt by Fluss in the Knights goal, but all the
action was at the other end of the field. The goal of the
game came in the 60th minute, Groenewald beat two
defenders and fed the ball to Draper on the edge of the
box; with three defenders on his tail, Draper showed first
class close control to turn the three defenders and beat
an advancing Salcin with a cool finish to net his
hat-trick.
That wasn't enough for Draper as he got his fourth just
eight minutes later, Lagana again setting up the striker
for a one-on-one and finishing well. The score line could
have easily hit double digits, had the Knights finished
better. Draper was denied from yet another one-on-one,
Lagana was unlucky not to find the back of the net, and
the post denied Draper from netting his fifth, however the
Knights will be more than happy with the three points that
keeps them in with a chance of a finals berth.
Next week the Knights have a crucial game against the
Richmond Eagles at Mansion Stadium, whilst the Lions meet
Altona Magic at BT Connor Reserve.
Melbourne Knights: Fluss, Cumming, Elvin
(Fitzgerald 80'), Grbesa, Sherman, Watson, Groenewald,
Draper, Cannell, Lagana (Beckit 59'), Dugandzic (Hatzimouratis
53').
Goals: Draper 19', 45', 60', 68', Groenewald 52'.
Yellow Cards: Draper 73'
Preston Lions FC: Salcin, Georgioski, Filipovic,
Arsovski, Kolevski, Cocevski, Toleski, Micovski, Najdovski,
Koceski, Dolevski.
Yellow Cards: Georgioski 61', Micovski 75'
Man of the Match: Greg Draper (Melbourne Knights)
Crowd: 500 (unofficial) at Mansion Stadium
Photo:
Nome Risteski
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