Monday, 17 June 2013 11:58 AM
By John Kyrou (Photo by Cindy Nitsos)
South Melbourne FC’s 100% winning record at Lakeside Stadium in 2013 came to an end on Sunday afternoon after it was held to a 2-2 draw by the Melbourne Knights in an entertaining derby match. The Knights lead twice in the game but were pegged back firstly by Brad Norton’s finish in the first half and then by former South player Ljubo Milicevic’s own goal in the second half.
Before the kick-off, a ten minute video was played featuring highlights in matches played between South and the Knights in what has been a strong football rivalry for many years. Also ahead of the kick-off, South Melbourne FC president Leo Athanasakis presented the Melbourne Knights president Ange Cimera with a piece of silverware in recognition of the Knights’ 60th birthday.
The home side began slowly and it was the Knights who opened the scoring eight minutes into the match when Anthony Colosimo’s free kick from the left was headed home by Ben Surey. That goal woke South up and the home side should have leveled shortly afterwards but Trent Rixon’s goal-bound header was cleared off the line by Surey. A minute later, Rixon tapped the ball home past Knights goalkeeper Chris May after being set up by Rhys Meredith but the goal was ruled out for offside. The home side eventually levelled midway through the half when Dimi Tsiaras’ flick put Brad Norton through on goal and the left-back fired past May to make the score 1-1. The Knights re-took the lead only a short time later when Shayan Alinejad found himself completely unmarked at the back post to fire an unstoppable volley past Peter Gavalas. The Knights could have gone further ahead but for Gavalas making an important block on Jacob Colosimo’s shot after the Knights striker was put through on goal by Surey.
South dominated the second half possession-wise but struggled to break down a resilient Knights defence that was intent on holding out for the three points. May made a number of important stops as the Knights continued to hold on to their lead. South’s pressure eventually led to an embarrassing equalising goal as Milicevic, in his first match for the Knights in the Victorian Premier League, headed past his own goalkeeper to make the score 2-2. South applied even more pressure on the Knights in the final half an hour but the away side held on thanks to a combination of important saves by May, excellent last-gasp defensive clearances and poor South finishing. South’s best two chances came when an unmarked Tyson Holmes couldn’t properly connect to a header at the back post and when Dimi Hatzimouratis fired over the bar from only metres out in the second minute of injury time.
In the end both sides had to settle with a point each, though South will be disappointed they didn’t continue their 100% winning record at Lakeside this season. South now drops to fourth on the VPL ladder, eight points behind leaders Northcote City but just a point behind the second-placed Bentleigh Greens.
The Under-21s enjoyed a 2-0 victory against the Melbourne Knights, with Andrew Cartanos scoring both goals.
South’s next game is a crucial match against Northcote City at John Cain Memorial Park next Sunday afternoon. Kick-off is at 3PM.
FINAL SCORE: SOUTH MELBOURNE 2-2 MELBOURNE KNIGHTS (HT: 1-2)
Goal Scorers:
0-1: Ben Surey (8′)
1-1: Brad Norton (24′)
1-2: Shayan Alinejad (30′)
2-2: Ljubo Milicevic Own Goal (62′)
South Melbourne FC:
1. Peter GAVALAS (GK), 2. Tom MATTHEWS, 6. Dimi TSIARAS (10. Tyson HOLMES 58′), 9. Trent RIXON, 11. Brad NORTON, 12. Rhys MEREDITH (14. Andy VLAHOS 80′), 13. Luke BYLES (C), 15. Dimi HATZIMOURATIS, 16. Alan KEARNEY , 18. Marinos GASPARIS (7. Joe KEENAN 68′), 19. Shaun KELLY
Melbourne Knights:
1. Chris MAY (GK), 3. Ryan FILIPOVIC (2. Michael SIMMS), 4. Adam ZILIC, 5. Ljubo MILICEVIC, 6. Tomislav USKOK, 9. Jacob COLOSIMO (12. Joseph KONYIT), 10. Marijan CVITKOVIC (13. Hassan DARAMY), 11. Anthony COLOSIMO, 14. Ben SUREY, 19. Shayan ALINEJAD, 24. Sam TORRENS
SMFC Man of the Match: Shaun Kelly
Venue: Lakeside Stadium
Date: Sunday 16 June 2013