Tony Micallef (2)....................Anthony Cock
Link to all photographs from the Southern Knights v Elizabeth Grove game.
Southern Knights played host to Elizabeth Grove in windy conditions on a very uneven and dry playing surface at O'Sullivan Beach.
Grove started quite strongly kicking into the wind but the game gradually leaned more toward the home side.
Ben “Touch” Vidgeon made some good saves from Scotty Knox and Anthony Cock and gathered in the crosses despite some strong challenges from several Grove players.
With Sandy Neary unavailable for this clash, several of Knights players stepped up a notch.
Steve “Elbow” MacGuire slotted back into defence alongside Steve Hawkins, Matty Harrison and Scott Bradley as well as linking with Ben Jones and Lyndon Parry in midfield.
David Mooney looking almost fully recovered from his recent injury, along with Chris Bradley, Matt Daughtry and Tony Micallef placed pressure on the Grove defence.
Southern Knights opened the scoring in the 20th. minute when David Mooney hit a powerful shot that Groves keeper Piggington could only parry into the path of Tony Micallef to slot home.
David Mooney nearly grabbed Knights second when he nodded a searching forward pass from Scott Bradley onto the cross-bar.
Elizabeth Grove also tested Ben Vidgeon on several occasions but were unable to score. The score remained 1-0 til half time.
Knights brought on Lee White to replace injured Lyndon Parry and minutes into the second half Knights went 2-0 up when Tony Micallef chipped home his second of the game.
Knights looked to have control of the game and could have stretched their lead but for some fine saves from Piggington.
Lindsay Cooper and Scott Hockenhull worked hard to get Grove back into the game.
However, it was a misplaced back pass by Knights that allowed Anthony Cock to break free and slot home a goal for Grove to make it 2-1.
Following a solid collision with Matty Harrison, Justin Foster made a cameo appearance in goal replacing injured keeper S.Piggington.
Knights finished up 2-1 winners in a game hindered by the uneven bounce.
Elizabeth Grove put Ben "Touch" Vidgeon under some early pressure.
Tony Micallef and Matt Daughtry close down the Grove and the hard work creates some early chances.
The opening 10-15 minutes was fairly end-to-end football with Chris Bradley taking on the Grove defence.
"Touch" mopping up several Grove attacking moves.
The aerial challenges over the park were solid throughout the encounter.
Tony Micallef on one of his familiar penetrating runs.
Matt Daughtry nearly opens the account for Knights but Grove fall back in numbers.
Groves keeper Piggington reels back after blocking David Mooney's firmly hit drive.
The villains Tony Micallef and David Mooney celebrate Knights first goal of the day.
Grove's Lindsey Cooper moves to close down Matt Daughtry and Tony Micalled looks on as the ball breaks loose in Grove's area.
Brothers in arms Scott and Chris Bradley defending Knights lead whils Ben Vidgeon tidies uo again.
"Touch" makes the save of the day to deny a resurgent Grove in the closing stages of the first half.
In the opening minutes of the second half Tony Micallef (obscured) loops the ball out of Piggington's reach to drop into the Grove goal and give Knights a 2-0 lead.
After-goal celebrations from Knights.
The contests were fairly intense all over the park.
A series of chances for Knights bring out the best in Piggington who feels the full force of Matty Harrison's solid challenge.
The referee was being watched closely by referees inspector Derek Padbury...and Justin Foster takes on the role of stopper !
More mopping up from "Touch" in Knights goal as Grove gain some momentum.
David Mooney seemed to be almost over his recent injury worries and put in the hard yards.
Anthony Cock latches on to a stray back pass and slots home a goal for the visitors 2-1.
It was quite overcast and I was at the other end of the ground so please excuse the blurred photos.
At the end Knights are somewhat relieved to walk away with all three points.
Reserves - Southern Knights ( 0 ) Elizabeth Grove ( 4 )
Southern Knights Reserves stepped up their campaign to secure the Division 2 Reserves wooden spoon against a strong Elizabeth Grove forward line.
For the second week in a row Knights conceded 4 goals in the first half. A 25 metre screamer that utilized the strong wind ( I was the one screaming ) ,
a nice cross goal pass that was slotted away, a break away, and a messy goalmouth scramble.
Tom Jolly worked hard along with Richard Kemp and Andre Rickers but the uneven surface saw the short passing game come unstuck on many occasions.
Knights worked a lot harder in the second half but couldn't find the back of Groves net and the damage had already been done.
Paul Uzzel and Justin Foster look on as Knights are somewhat shell-shocked as Grove establish a 0-4 lead...
However, Knights did create a few chances but couldn't capitalize on their efforts.
Tom Jolly's vision ! The grove player tries to ascertain what Tom is pointing at ?
Grove on the attack again.
Andre Rickers looks on as Richard Kemp and Mark Franklin try to close down a Grove build up.
Thanks to Southern Knights stalwart Colin Macpherson for taking on the added role of photographer for the Reserves game
Previous pictorial reports.
Round 16 - Southern Knights ( 2 ) Elizabeth Grove ( 1 )
Round 15 - West Beach ( 3 ) Southern Knights ( 2 )
Round 14 - Southern Knights ( 0 ) ISC Raptors( 2 )
Round 13 - Munno Para ( 0 ) Southern Knights ( 4 )
Round 12 - Southern Knights ( 4 ) San Marco ( 0 )
Round 11 - Southern Knights ( 1 ) Tea Tree Gully ( 1 )
Round 10 - Adelaide Vikings ( 4 ) Southern Knights ( 1 )
Round 9 - Modbury Vista ( 1 ) Southern Knights ( 2 )
Round 8 - Southern Knights ( 4 ) Para Hills East ( 2 )
Round 7 - Elizabeth Grove ( 2 ) Southern Knights ( 3 )
Round 6 - Southern Knights ( 3 ) West Beach ( 4 )
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 )
Cup Quarter Finals - Ingle Farm ( 4 ) Southern Knights ( 3 )
Cup Round 4 - Southern Knights ( 7 ) Sturt Marion ( 0 )
Cup Round 3 - Adelaide Wanderers ( 0 ) Elizabeth Downs ( 1 )
Cup Round 2 - Southern Knights ( 3 ) San Marco ( 1 )
Cup Round 1 -Southern Knights ( 7 ) Adelaide Monarchs ( 0 )
