Southern Knights ( 1 ) Elizabeth Downs ( 4 )
David Mooney.........................Mark Kelly 4
Disappointing end to Southern Knights 2012 Cup run as they succumbed 1-4 to Elizabeth Downs at O'Sullivan Beach in one of the 4 Quarter Finals over the weekend.
Elizabeth Downs started without Jason Trimboli (injured), Scott Morrison (injured), Andrew Lindsay (skiing), Scott Lindsay (skiing), Brayden Gundlach (USA) and coach Alan Mottram (skiing). Despite the missing players, Downs drew upon their depth to field an experienced, skilful and strong side.
Although the game saw the presence of Knight in Armour, an anxious but nervous Southern Knights were mostly unchanged from the previous weeks win over Salisbury Florina, however, the loss of in form Aaron O'Toole to injury was a pre-game concern.
Stephen Maguire held down the keeper role in front of Lee White, Robert Marsden, Ben Vidgeon and Jimmy Stewart. Stuart Blyth, Ben Smith and Matt Harrison were in the middle behind David Mooney, Scott Bradley and Tom Foglia. Meanwhile Chris Bradley, Andrew Alvino, Paul Thompson, Chris Bouzoudis and keeper Brenton Rowe started on the bench.
Elizabeth Downs started with Benny Aldridge on glove duty, Tony Parisi, Matt Andrews, Steven Hughes, Daniel Mckenna Charles Marwe, Ben McMullen, Nathan Day, Brenton Agars, Sean Brennan and Mark Kelly. On the Downs bench were Saverio Parisi, Ryan Brennan, Liam Hart and keeper Andrew Rowe whilst Andrew Dreyer and Jason Trimboli deputised for Alam Mottram in coaching roles.
Initially the game seemed fairly balanced with both sides playing the ball around but Southern Knights appeared to be nervous with their final touch. Sean Brennan was quite nippy and had an ongoing tussle with Stuart Blyth. Elsewhere, Downs seemed to cotrol the airspace through Ben McMullen, Charles Marwe and Nathan Day.
Eventually it was a good move down the right, initially by Sean Brennan, resulted in a searching ball into Knights area where Mark Kelly reacted best to give Elizabeth Downs a 0-1 lead.
Knights Tom Foglia was not as sharp as normal but turned the Downs defence several times only to see the attacks fizzle out. David Mooney found Ben McMullen a handful and Ben Smith struggled to contain either McKenna, Day or Brennan.
Once again the Downs were able to capitalise on a opportunity and again it was Mark Kelly, this time glancing a well placed corner kick passed Steven Maguire to make it 0-2.
The teams went to the half time break with Elizabeth Downs leading 0-2 and looking the stronger team on the park.
After the break it was business as usual for the Downs as they dissected the Southern Knights midfield on many occasions through Nathan Day, Daniel McKenna and Sean Brennan. Ben Smith fought hard but found himself under pressure the instant he received the ball.
David Mooney brought out the best from Benny Aldridge forcing him to push a goal bound 25 metre strike over the cross bar.
Moments later Mark Kelly found space on the left and deftly drove the ball into Knights goal to complete his hat-trick and stretch the visitors's lead to 0-3.
10 minutes later Kelly again found space, this time on the right and mirrored his previous effort to notch his, and the Downs, 4th goal.
Two further attempts from David Mooney resulted in one chance just missing with a glancing header and then finally, a last minute goal following a good piece of play from Scott Bradley.
Downs finished the game deserved winners looking the stronger physically and mentally for most of the day whilst Knights failed to replicate the desire and resolve of their Round 3 encounter against Fulham United.
Thanks to all the far travelled Downs supporters and local football supporters, all well behaved, who made the day a good showcase for SAASL football.
Link to all Southern Knights v Elizabeth Downs Cup photos
Southern Knights had a Knight on hand to welcome them onto the park....rumoured to be Bradley Armoured !
Club stalwarts and founders Colin Mooney and Colin MacPherson with a Southern Knight.
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Some tosser with the team captains and officials..............even more tossers behind the fence
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Matt Harrison chases down Nathan Day with Sean Brennan overlapping to his right...Ben Vidgeon stretches to clear for Knights.
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Downs looked a big threat on most set pieces..
David Mooney heads clear in front of Stephen Maguire..
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Ben McMullen was solid for the Downs controlling the middle of the park and Benny Aldridge was confident between the sticks.
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Robert Marsden started...replacing injured Aaron O'Toole...
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A new look Nathan Day looked at ease all over the ground...and Brenton Agars was a handfull for Jimmy stewart and Ben Vidgeon.
Mark Kelly slots the ball passed Stephen Maguire to give Downs an early lead..
Southern Knights almost erase the early deficit.
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Tom Foglia, Scott Bradley, Charles Marwe and coach Andrew Dreyer look on as Stephen Maguire easily hadles a Nathan Day free kick.
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Sean Brennan taunts Stuart Blyth in defense ..
Apologies for the blur....Mark Kelly glances a header passed Stephen Maguire to give Downs a 0-2 lead.
Sean Brennan & Mark Kelly sporting grins with dejected Knights behind...
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Benny Aldridge launches a long clearance with Daniel McKenna and David Mooney looking skyward.
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Match official Stephen Craggs looks on as Knights assistant coaches Richard Finlayson and Andre Rickers ponder the games progress.
Matt Harrison and David Mooney watched closely by Daniel McKenna and Ben McMullen..
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Steven Hughes challenges as Stephen Maguire punches clear..
Major Southern Knights sponsor, Wayne Phillis Automotive had a vehicle on displat at the ground.
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Matt Andrews looks on as Scott Bradley & Steven Hughes rehearse their dance routine....
Nathan Day fires a free kick a little too high...
"Did you get that on film ?" asks Benny Aldridge after an excellent save from a powerful David Mooney strike from 25 metres.
Minutes later Mark Kelly guides home his personal hat-trick to give Downs a 0-3 lead midway early in the second half.
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Part of the good sized "crowd" at the game...
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After coming on from the bench, Andrew Alvino managed to get behind the Downs defense...
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Nathan Day remonstrates with Steve Craggs.......later Tom Foglia fails to get enough power behind his effort.
Mark Kelly slides his, and the Downs, fourth goal passed Stephen Maguire to make it 0-4...
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Sean Brennan & Nathan Day congratulate Mark Kelly..
Stephen Hughes under pressure from Chris Bradley...
David Mooney glances a header just outside the Downs post as Benny Aldridge looks on concerned !
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Matt Andrews and Charles Marwe look on Tony parisi moves out of defense..
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Daniel McKenna takes on Chris Bradley.......and Benny Aldridge secures the ball once more...
Once again Benny Aldrige does well to fist away a powerful goal bound David Mooney free kick.
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Ryan Brennan runs on as Aaron O'Toole(sunglasses) rues missing the game his injury..
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Nathan Day runs out the game and still takes on Ben Vidgeon, Lee White and Stuart Blyth.
A happy, relax Downs contingent at the game....
Knights under more pressure..
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End to end...
Andrew Alvino hold his head in his hands as a nights opportunity criss crosses the Downs goalmouth without a goal.
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A last minute goal for Knights from David Mooney... via Scott Bradley's build up...
listening to Southern Knights Chairman...Richard Finlayson's post game summary...
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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 )
Round 11 - Brahma Lodge ( 1 ) Southern Knights ( 4 )
Round 12 - Southern Knights ( 0 ) Para Hills West ( 2 )
Round 13 - MSSC Blue Eagles( 1 ) Southern Knights ( 2 )
Round 14 - Southern Knights ( 3 ) Salisbury Florina ( 3 )
Cup Round 1 - Southern Knights ( 4 ) Stirling Districts ( 1 )
Cup Round 2 - Flinders University ( 0 ) Southern Knights ( 6 )
Cup Round 3 - Fulham United ( 4 ) Southern Knights ( 6 ) after extra time and penalties
Quarter Finals - Southern Knights ( 1 ) Elizabeth Downs ( 4 )
Reserve Cup Round 1 - Southern Knights ( 4 ) Southern Breakers ( 2 )
Reserve Cup Round 2 - Salisbury Inter ( 1 ) Southern Knights ( 2 )
Reserve Cup Round 3 - Ingle Farm ( 4 ) Southern Knights ( 1 )
Round 7 - Elizabeth Downs ( 2 ) Modbury Vista ( 1 )
