After spending their week making sure all their visas for the long journey were valid, Southern Knights travelled north to Dauntsey Road to play Elizabeth Grove.
(I remember playing one of my first official football games for Elizabeth Downs U/10's against Elizabeth North some 41 years earlier in 1968
...still remember some of the opposition players like Roger Templeton, Micky Bellman, David Cousins, Ron Kuczmarski, Steve Reeves, Terry Jackson, Ron(?) Cooper...enough reminiscing !)From kick off Knights took the game to the Grove and an early drought breaking goal from Tony Micallef follwed by a penalty converted by Dave Mooney saw the visitors leading 0-2. The lead was also largely credited to some excellent goalkeeping by Mark Kay in the Knights goal. Just prior to the half time interval the Grove survived falling further behind as Knights managed to strike the crossbar with 2 successive goalscoring opportunities.
Grove, despite being 0-2 down had also had their opportunities throughout the game but it took until ~15 minutes into the second half before they found the back of Knights goal courtesy of a penalty.
In a matter of minutes Knights captain Benny Jones was on the end of a nice through ball and chipped Grove's keeper to restore a two goal advantage at 1-3.
Grove began to gain momentum and pushed Knights defence bringing out the best once again from Mark Kay and the Knights defence.
With about 10 minutes to go, Elizabeth Grove strung together a good move that was finished off with a well placed shot to give them hope of salvaging a point.
Southern Knights breathed a sigh of relief as the final whistle sounded giving them their first league win for 2009 and doubling the points tally for the season.
I'd like to thank the lady in the canteen for allowing me to re-charge my camera battery (twice).. cheers.
Apologies in advance as the overcast day exposed the limitations of my camera and most of the images are blurred due to extended exposure times.
Knights congratulate Tony Micallef (8) on his second league goal for the season and the provider David Mooney (11).
Grove's Anthony Cock provided early drive up front.
Mark Kay denies Grove with an excellent save.
And again !!!
Tony Micallef pushed passed two Grove defenders but is brought down in the area.
David Mooney drives the resulting spot kick home to give Knights an early 0-2 lead.
Another one !!!
A tense moment for Grove as Knights threaten to capture a third goal.
Grove try out for "Almost Football Legends".
All eyes on the ball !
Chris Bradley runs the ball out of defence for the Knights watched closely by team mates Brett Moran and Mark Kay and Grove players.
A Grove free kick sails skyward !
Just before half time a Knights shot canons off the cross bar and the follow up shot also strikes the cross bar.
Elizabeth Grove convert from the penalty spot to close the scoreline at 1-2.
Knights captain Benny Jones chips over Groves keeper to restore a 2 goal advantage with a 1-3 scoreline.
Despite a valiant attempt from Mark Kay, Grove pull back a goal to give them hope of rescuing at least a point from the game.
Another timely interception from Knights keeper.
And another....and another !!
It's all a blurrrrrrr !!!
A couple more positive interceptions
Knights relieved to finally score 3 goals and finally come away with all three points !
Reserves - Elizabeth Grove ( 3 ) Southern Knights ( 3)
This was a see-sawing game that was subjected to a lot of confusion which boiled over just before after the half time whistle had sounded.
On the face of it both teams could have walked away with all three points.
Knights had a few absentees and late arrivals but managed to push Grove for the whole game.
Elizabeth Grove take the lead from a disputed penalty.
A Knights defender seems to be applauding the skills of the Grove attacker ?
Didn't recognize Grove's Robbie Dawber until I checked the photos ?
Knights keeper Ben "Touch" Vidgeon gathers in a Grove attacking foray !
Knights defenders Boydy, Richard Finlayson and Mark Franklin concentrate as Grove gather in the ball.
Knights Paul Thompson converts their spot kick.
Knights ready to latch on to a cross as it is flicked on.
Celebrating the resulting goal.
"Touch"
Thommo puts away and celebrates his second goal of the game.
Grove post another goal in the second half.
Knights "Crouchy" on the move.
Leigh Harrison having just turned 16, has a promising footballing future and displayed plenty of maturity throughout the game, clears the backlines for Southern Knights.
Link to all photos from Elizabeth Grove v Southern Knights (100 photos)
Previous pictorial reports..
Round 6 - Southern Knights ( 3 ) West Beach ( 4 )
Cup Round 2 -Southern Knights ( 7 ) Adelaide Monarchs ( 0 )
Round 5 - ISC Raptors ( 2 ) Southern Knights ( 2 )
Round 4 - Southern Knights ( 2 ) Munno Para ( 5 )
Round 3 - San Marco ( 1 ) Southern Knights ( 0 )
Round 2 - Tea Tree Gully ( 1 ) Southern Knights ( 1 )
Round 1 - Southern Knights ( 2 ) Adelaide Vikings ( 2 )
