David Mooney 3
Tom Foglia
Southern Knights went into last Sunday's game looking to keep their unbeaten run intact and stretch that run out to 4 games as they welcomed Western Strikers to O'Sullivan Beach.
Knights started with Stuart Blyth in to replace injured Lee White and Tom Foglia and Ben Smith started at the expense of Chris Bradley and Aaron O'Toole. Elsewhere it was business as usual, with Stephen Maguire in goal with Stuart Blyth, Ben Vidgeon, Jimmy Stewart and Rob Marsden holding defensive duties whilst Ben Jones and David Mooney and Ben Smith in midfield roles. Up front Tom Foglia linked with Andrew Alvino and Scott Bradley for Knights.
From memory, David Mooney put Knights ahead after about 15 minutes when he was on the end of a good build up involving Tom Foglia. Knights defended well and eventually David Mooney supplied Tom Foglia with the opportunity to score his first goal in Knights colours and the home side, despite opportunities to widen their lead, went to the break with a 2-0 lead.
Not long into the second half Knights conceded a penalty which Western Strikers converted clinically to bring the gameback to 2-1.
Southern Knights then worked hard to consolidate their hold on the game and after a few excellent saves from Stephen Maguire it was David Mooney who popped up to give Knights a 3-1 lead.
Soon after Scott Bradley sent a good drive goalward and David Mooney got a final touch to complete his hat trick for the game ( his 8th. league goal for the season and 54th. league goal for Southern Knights ) to make it 4-1.
Chris Bradley, Matt Harrison and Aaron O'Toole all had runs from the bench to replace Ben Smith, Rob Marsden and Ben Jones who had each contributed well toward the victory.
All in all, a solid allround performance from Knights to move them off the bottom of Division 2 for the first time this season.
Link to all Southern Knights v Western Strikers photosphotos
*Once again the often poor light made photography somewhat frustrating !
Ben Vidgeon, Jimmy Stewart and Rob Marsden have formed a solid defensive unitin recent weeks for Knights.
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Anguish for Western Strikers as Knights grab a 1-0 lead courtesy of David Mooney.
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Stuart Blyth started for Knights and put in a solid and hard working performance.
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More despair from Western Strikers as Knights take a 2-0 lead when Tom Foglia notches his first goal for Southern Knights since his move from South Adelaide Panthers.
With the ball heading for the top corner, Stephen "Maggy" Maguire makes a great save from a Western Strikers free kick !
Player-Coach Ben Smith worked hard in the centre to close down Strikers and distributed the ball well.
Ben "Touch" Vidgeon clears well....
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Western Strikers pull the gameback to 2-1 from the penalty spot...
It's all a blur as David Mooney restores Knights two goal lead to make it 3-1.
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Celebrating the goal and not long after all eyes are focussed goalward as David Mooney completes his hat trick for the game and make it 4-1 to Knights.
Smiles all round for Southern Knights..
A chance to put Knights further ahead just escapes David Mooney.
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Tom Foglia cuts across and later, goes close to adding another goal.
First Scott Bradley and then Andrew Alvino send free kicks just wide of the target.
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Savouring a hard worked victory..
Reserves
Southern Knights ( 1 ) Western Strikers ( 2 )
Anthony Micheal
Southern Knights Reserves had a frustrating game and emerged with none of the spoils against Western Strikers.
Despite several good inclusions Knights were minus captain Steve Fulton, vice captain Andre Rickers and player-coach Richard Finlayson.
Jason Rusk came into the side and Brenton Rowe took up an on-field position whilst Aaron O'Toole started for a slightly undermanned home side.
Although carrying an injury Anthony Micheal managed his 7th. goal in 5 games when he chipped into the goal from a wide angle giving Knights an early 1-0 lead.
Matty Harrison reluctantly but still determined, took up the sweeper role in front of Phil Smith in goal.
Western strikers broke on a counter attack and slotted away a very well taken equaliser.
After the interval they repeated the counter attack and Phil Smith could do little to prevent Western Strikers taking a 1-2 lead.
Some good goalkeeping and some missed opportunities saw Knights leave the game without a point as it finished 1-2.
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Western Strikers goal was under seige early on....
Jason Rusk threw himself into the game all day.
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Matt Harrison worked hard in defence as Ben Smith looked on....
Western Strikers keeper looks back only to see Anthony Micheal's deft chip drop into the net..
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It wasn't long before Western Strikers drew level with a well taken goal.
Almost a second goal for Knights as Brenton Rowe's strike just goes over..
Strikers keeper punches and clears well under pressure from Matt Harrison.
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Another good take from Strikers keeper and the sides go into the half time break at 1-1.
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More frustration for Knights as Strikers counter and take the lead 1-2..
Anthony Micheal pushes Knights forward and acting captain Justin Moule puts in chasing an equaliser.
Dustin McMahon had a good full game after recent injury problems.
Another chance goes begging for Knights but Western Strikers went on to win 1-2.
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Link to the unofficial
page 2011 - A year In Pictures
Link to a collection of links to SAASL images and stats....
Links to other pictorial game reports for 2012
Round 1 - Southern Knights ( 2 ) MSSC Blue Eagles ( 5 )
Round 2 - Southern Knights ( 0 ) Brahma Lodge ( 2 )
Round 3 - Para Hills West ( 4 ) Southern Knights ( 1 )
Round 4 - Western Strikers ( 3 ) Southern Knights ( 1 )
Round 5 - Salisbury Florina ( 6 ) Southern Knights ( 0 )
Round 6 - Southern Knights ( 1 ) West Beach ( 2 )
Round 8 - Southern Knights ( 4 ) Macedonia United ( 2 )
Round 9 - Beograd Generals ( 2 ) Southern Knights ( 2 )
Round 10 - Southern Knights ( 4 ) Western Strikers ( 1 )
Cup Round 1 - Southern Knights ( 4 ) Stirling Districts ( 1 )
Cup Round 2 - Flinders University ( 0 ) Southern Knights ( 6 )
Reserve Cup Round 1 - Southern Knights ( 4 ) Southern Breakers ( 2 )
Reserve Cup Round 2 - Salisbury Inter ( 1 ) Southern Knights ( 2 )
Round 7 - Elizabeth Downs ( 2 ) Modbury Vista ( 1 )
